Florence, Italy
Restaurants:
Fuoriporta (http://www.fuoriporta.it): I love their burrata with grilled vegatables. Also, since it is a enoteca, there is a wide variety of wines (and beers). Nice place to get lunch after visiting San Miniato.
Trattoria 4 Leoni (http://www.4leoni.com): one dish: the pasta with cheese and pear. UMMM!!!! Must make a reservation.
Antico Noe (www.anticonoe.com): close to Santa Croce: great restaurant. Known for their bistecca alla fiorentina and their panini.
Acqua al 2 (acquaal2.it/): the chicken with oporto sauce is the best. Also, you could try different "samplers" (for pasta, salads, and desserts).
Nerbone (in the mercato centrale): for a nice, cheap lunch. Famous for their tripe sandwiches, but they also have salads, pasta, etc. You can also eat upstairs.
Il Santo Bevitore (ilsantobevitore.com): (Oltrarno): a different take on Tuscan food.
Pizzerie:
Il Pizzaiolo (ilpizzaiuolo.it/en) my favorite place for pizza. You should also try their appetizer plate (all things fried, and burratta-- so yummy!). Must make a reservation.
Pizzeria del Caffe Italiano (Via dell'Isola delle Stinche 11/13r): They only serve three types of pizza, but it is quite good (http://www.osteriacaffeitaliano.com/pizzeria-del-caffe-italiano).
Outside of town (Fiesole): Pizzeria San Domenico: Take bus number 7 to Fiesole and step out at San Domenico. Mostly locals and students from the nearby European University Institute.
Gelati:
Gelateria Carabe: the best granita (close to the Academia: Via Ricasoli, 60/r)
Vivoli (Via Isola delle Stinche, 7) (http://www.vivoli.it)
Gelateria dei Neri (Via de Neri 9/11)
Outside of town, but many claim that it is the best gelateria in Florence: Badiani. Try the Buontalenti (http://www.buontalenti.it)
Aperitivo:
Aperitivo is a great tradition (the Italian version of a happy hour, but much better). You pay a fixed price (equivalent to a drink and a bit more) and you will get a for a drink and all types of finger food, salads, vegetables, and pasta (mostly buffet-style).
Negroni (http://www.negronibar.it/index.asp): mostly locals and somewhat trendy. Good variety of food.
Zoe (Via dei Renai 13/r): next door to Negroni.
Kitsch bar (Viale Gramzci 1/3/5): this is my favorite place and the most generous apperitivo in Florence. Not many tourists. Try to get there early so you can sit al fresco (it can get quite warm inside). This is close to Piazza San Marco.
Fuoriporta (http://www.fuoriporta.it): I love their burrata with grilled vegatables. Also, since it is a enoteca, there is a wide variety of wines (and beers). Nice place to get lunch after visiting San Miniato.
Trattoria 4 Leoni (http://www.4leoni.com): one dish: the pasta with cheese and pear. UMMM!!!! Must make a reservation.
Antico Noe (www.anticonoe.com): close to Santa Croce: great restaurant. Known for their bistecca alla fiorentina and their panini.
Acqua al 2 (acquaal2.it/): the chicken with oporto sauce is the best. Also, you could try different "samplers" (for pasta, salads, and desserts).
Nerbone (in the mercato centrale): for a nice, cheap lunch. Famous for their tripe sandwiches, but they also have salads, pasta, etc. You can also eat upstairs.
Il Santo Bevitore (ilsantobevitore.com): (Oltrarno): a different take on Tuscan food.
Pizzerie:
Il Pizzaiolo (ilpizzaiuolo.it/en) my favorite place for pizza. You should also try their appetizer plate (all things fried, and burratta-- so yummy!). Must make a reservation.
Pizzeria del Caffe Italiano (Via dell'Isola delle Stinche 11/13r): They only serve three types of pizza, but it is quite good (http://www.osteriacaffeitaliano.com/pizzeria-del-caffe-italiano).
Outside of town (Fiesole): Pizzeria San Domenico: Take bus number 7 to Fiesole and step out at San Domenico. Mostly locals and students from the nearby European University Institute.
Gelati:
Gelateria Carabe: the best granita (close to the Academia: Via Ricasoli, 60/r)
Vivoli (Via Isola delle Stinche, 7) (http://www.vivoli.it)
Gelateria dei Neri (Via de Neri 9/11)
Outside of town, but many claim that it is the best gelateria in Florence: Badiani. Try the Buontalenti (http://www.buontalenti.it)
Aperitivo:
Aperitivo is a great tradition (the Italian version of a happy hour, but much better). You pay a fixed price (equivalent to a drink and a bit more) and you will get a for a drink and all types of finger food, salads, vegetables, and pasta (mostly buffet-style).
Negroni (http://www.negronibar.it/index.asp): mostly locals and somewhat trendy. Good variety of food.
Zoe (Via dei Renai 13/r): next door to Negroni.
Kitsch bar (Viale Gramzci 1/3/5): this is my favorite place and the most generous apperitivo in Florence. Not many tourists. Try to get there early so you can sit al fresco (it can get quite warm inside). This is close to Piazza San Marco.