Where to eat Florentine Steak in Florence

Steak is a serious thing. I am asked about Florentine steak almost as often as I am asked about Michelangelo and I have had the immense pleasure of researching the subject accordingly. After advising you on where to eat Florentine steak in Florence, however, I would like to serve up some basic information on the dish.

So, at the end of this post, you’ll find all the most commonly asked questions and everything you should know about bistecca alla Fiorentina.

You will also find a map to locate all the places mentioned in this blogpost.

Where to eat florentine steak in Florence

So, without further ado, here follow my favorite restaurants where to eat Florentine Steak in Florence!

• This post is constantly updated with my newest findings, the quest for the best Florentine steak in Florence is still open!

Inside the historic center

The historic center is packed with restaurants and most of them have the steak on their menu. But some are quite touristy, and not focused on quality. Here instead are some of my favorite ones with great food and a very convenient and central location.

Trattoria da Marione

Without doubt in my top three traditional Tuscan eateries, the trattoria is located on Via della Spada, a few steps from the Palazzo Strozzi. Here can be found simply perfect steaks and Florence’s best ribollita (vegetable and bread soup, here you can find my traditional ribollita recipe) in a rustic, welcoming environment with service to match. There is often a waiting-list and I would strongly advise booking in advance.

I’Brindellone

A small restaurant hidden behind the Piazza del Carmine, the decor is very simple, the few ornaments predominantly being memorabilia of Florentine Historical Soccer, the city’s 16th century ancestor to soccer. But don’t be fooled by the casual aesthetic and lack of dining tourists – the food is superb. The menu includes several particularly scrumptious traditional Florentine dishes – even the cervello fritto (fried brain), which is very little-known these days – and the meat is consistently of high quality. During the week I’Brindellone offers a lunch menu at a very reasonable price.

Trattoria Mario

Another famous name amongst Florence’s traditional Tuscan restaurants. Found near San Lorenzo market, it features a vivacious, casual atmosphere and a prohibition on well-done steaks.

I’Raddi

Being based at the headquarters of my beloved Florentine Historical Soccer club, Bianchi, I feared that my heart might bias my tastebuds, but I have since had more neutral confirmation that I’Raddi does indeed serve fare worthy of champions. Decked out in photos and artefacts from Bianchi’s prestigious history, the kitchen dishes out steaks and other traditional regional meals, sometimes creatively reimagined. It is located just by the Santo Spirito square, in an alley that opens onto Via Maggio.

Buca Mario

Housed in an ancient cellar with vaults and stones set in the 5th century, the restaurant itself was founded towards the end of the 19th and has since remained magnificently unchanged. Buca Mario is renowned for making exquisite Florentine Steaks, enhanced further by the accompaniment of a Brunello di Montalcino or another bottle from one of Tuscany’s premier wine cellars. The service is friendly and attentive, the clientele a mix of locals and tourists taking advantage of the establishment’s now being featured in all the guide books.

Trattoria del Carmine

Trattoria del Carmine is an institution in the San Frediano neighborhood since decades. This restaurant serves traditional Florentine cuisine and great steaks, in a simple, informal place. It’s located a few steps away from piazza del Carmine, in the Oltrarno area. I have a special love for their homemade cakes and desserts.

La Giostra

Universally regarded as one of the best restaurants in Florence. Meals here are not cheap but are truly of the highest quality. Under a grand vaulted ceiling romantically lit by 1500 candles, diners can luxuriate in cuisine rooted in Tuscany but embellished by Habsburg and Lorrainese influences brought by the owner and manager, Prince Soldano Kunz of Hapsburg-Lorraine. The noble restauranteur pays special attention to the choice of wines.

Tito

The emphasis here is not on romance or finery, but Tito is the ideal place for a festive meal or birthday celebration. Traditional Tuscan food and wine is served in a lively, music-soaked atmosphere. The service is informal, affable, and often downright carnivalesque.

L’Osteria di Giovanni

Run by the same historic restauranteur family as the famous I’Latini, but without the latter’s waiting times (engendered by the flood of tourists that had followed it’s recent inclusion on Lonely Planet’s guide). L’Osteria di Giovanni is a more intimate, rustic environment than I’Latini, with food a little better cared for than that of its better-known brother. Besides the steak, the fegato nella rete (‘liver in a net’) is also one of the best I’ve ever eaten.

Trattoria dall’Oste

One of the most awarded steak houses, not just in Florence bot in the whole Italy, since years. Trattoria dall’Oste has three different restaurants, all located in the historic center. One of the (Trattoria dall’Oste Chianineria) is specialized in serving only the local Chianina beef.

• After the meal, enjoy the view of the city from one of the best view points of Florence.

Best Florentine Steak Outside the historic center

Here are some of my favourite restaurants you may encounter should you decide to venture beyond the historic center.

Burde

Founded in 1901, this is a high quality trattoria with a wide selection of regional delicacies, rightly revered for its florentine steaks, soups (which range from tomato to salted fish), and immense cellar. Except on Fridays, when it stays open for dinner (Burde often holds tastings and special dinners) and Sundays, when it is closed, Burde is usually open until 19:00, making it the perfect choice for an afternoon snack with a glass of wine. It is located in Novoli, in the northern part of the city.

Osteria del Nacchero

Very much a personal favorite of mine, Nacchero resides in the South of Florence, in my neighborhood, Gavinana. This is completely beyond the tourist routes, but no more than a half hour’s walk from the city center. The menu is very consistent – always the best traditional Florentine dishes plus a few daily specials that vary according to the season. On Fridays Nacchero serves baccalà, a very traditional salted cod dish. As well as this and (of course) the steak, I would also recommend the peposo (Tuscan beef stew) – in my opinion the best in Florence. The menu also includes some fantastic but now sadly mostly forgotten recipes, such as the francesina (beef and onion stew) and cervello fritto (fried brains).

I’Pallaio

A trattoria and pizzeria in the Campo di Marte area, this is an unpretentious and lively – indeed often crowded and noisy – establishment with much to commend it. The food is of good quality – notably the meat and pizza – and served generously, ensuring great value for your money. Service is quick, the kitchen closes late, and during the summer there is a vibrant outdoors patio. I’Pallaio makes for a very convenient stop before going to a football match or concert at the Nelson Mandela Forum or at the Artemio Franchi stadium. The Green Store, known widely as La Guerrina, is a nearby historic pub at which your evening can be merrily finished.

Map of my favorite places in Florence for a Fiorentina steak

Here is the map with all the places mentioned in this post.

Most commonly asked questions about Florentine steak

Some simple question and answer to understand how to order a Florentine steak and what’s behind that grilled piece of beef.

How much does Florentine steak cost?

The price varies between 35 to 60 euro, depending on the breed of cow (the chianina, for example, is relatively expensive). If it costs less than €35 per kilo it is probably not a true Fiorentina – I wouldn’t trust the tourist-directed offers that can be found to include a steak, side-dish, and wine for prices around €15.

How is it prepared?

Before cooking, the customer is often presented with the cut for approval. It is then placed on the grill for a few minutes on each side, and then on the bone. Cooking time depends on the thickness of the cut. After having rested the steak is served on the bone, on a cutting board or wooden tray that maintains its warmth (it should never be served on metal).

Then is usually seasoned with extra virgin olive oil, salt and grounded pepper.

Should Florentine steak be rare or bloody?

Yes. The florentine steak should be served rare to guarantee the freshness of the flesh. Many locals have now surrendered to the demands of tourists and will now agree to serve it medium or even well-done, but there remain chefs who consider these requests to be demeaning and it is not unusual to find signs in restaurants and on menus which specify that only rare steaks are contemplated.

Still hungry? Discover…

• my favorite gelato places in Florence!
• best pizzerias in Florence
• where to eat in Florence on a budget

I hope my tips will be useful to you the next time you dine in Florence. Of course, I’d also love to hear your suggestions – if you know of other restaurants in Florence that serve a top-class florentine steak then please leave a comment and I’ll make room in my stomach for further research!