After discussing the best Florentine restaurants with outdoor seating, let’s take a look at some restaurants in Florence where you can enjoy a meal during autumn and winter.
1) Braciere Malatesta: the Florentine trattoria
In addition to being a great spot for lunch (or dinner) in the summer thanks to its outdoor space, Braciere Malatesta is a restaurant-trattoria and pizzeria located in the center of Florence, just a short walk from the station. It has a comfortable indoor area suitable for large groups, making it perfect for those arriving in the city and wanting to immediately try some Florentine delicacies.
Located in the heart of Florence, near the Duomo, this restaurant is a gem for meat lovers. It’s one of the few places in the city offering a carefully selected variety of 9-10 types of meat, aged for different lengths of time, and cooked on a real charcoal grill.
The types of meat available right now?
Certified Chianina scottona, Piedmontese, Limousine, Regina delle Alpi, Spanish selection, Dutch yellow fat, Prussian, Maremma Angus, and Simmental.
Since 1954, the Baglioni family has passionately managed this restaurant-trattoria-pizzeria, which also offers a large indoor space, perfect for relaxed group dining. The star of the show is the charcoal grill, where authentic Bistecca alla Fiorentina and other meat delicacies are prepared.
But the Tuscan chefs also surprise with homemade pasta, roasts, traditional dishes, and typical desserts, all with a touch of creativity.
2) 5 e Cinque: vegetarian
5 e Cinque looks like a classic Tuscan osteria with wooden tables and exposed brick walls, and it’s one of three small restaurants overlooking the charming Piazza della Passera. However, if you want to sit outside, you’ll need to arrive at just the right time—there’s only one small table for two! The menu is completely vegetarian, with no meat or fish. You’ll find salads, chickpea patties, vegetable flans, and many other delicious dishes, all made with 100% organic ingredients.
Everything is homemade: from fresh pasta to savory pies, from focaccia to desserts. The real added value lies in the selection of organic and seasonal ingredients, mostly sourced from local farms and their own garden.
3) Il Nugolo: kitchen and garden
Il Nugolo combines conviviality and style, with chic and colorful furnishings that set the stage for an open kitchen where a young and talented chef prepares contemporary dishes with creative touches and a strong connection to seasonality. The attentive and warm service is provided by a motivated and friendly team.
The name “Nugolo” represents research, care, and curiosity in exploring what nature has to offer, with an authentic approach. At the Settignano Tuscany Homes farm, Nugolo grows much of the produce used in its dishes, guided by the seasons and respect for what the land offers throughout the year.
4) L’Ortone: the Tuscan bistro
L’Ortone, located next to the Sant’Ambrogio market, is where traditional recipes meet modern cuisine, with seasonal ingredients taking center stage. Fresh pasta, homemade bread, carefully selected ingredients, and a warm welcome: everything here reflects the passion of a young and close-knit staff that has made fresh and genuine food their mission.
L’Ortone, in addition to dishes that honor the local territory, offers creative preparations based on seasonal ingredients and grilled specialties, accompanied by an enticing wine list.
5) EN: Japanese home cooking
EN Japanese Home Cooking, open in Florence since 2018, feels like stepping into a trattoria, but with a Japanese twist. Instead of Florentine steak, you can enjoy Tonkatsu, a breaded and fried pork cutlet; instead of crostini with liver pâté, you’ll find okonomiyaki; and instead of ribollita, there’s a flavorful gyūdon.
Located in Piazza Ghiberti, in the heart of Sant’Ambrogio, EN offers a truly authentic Japanese home-cooking experience, with 100% Izakaya-style hospitality!
6) Enoteca Le Barrique: a romantic spot
Enoteca Le Barrique was founded in 1993 as a simple wine bistro with snacks, quickly becoming one of Florence’s top spots for wine lovers looking to enjoy traditional dishes. Today, thanks to its experimentation with Tuscan cuisine, the restaurant offers a varied and rich menu, accompanied by a carefully curated and constantly updated wine list.
The romantic and relaxed atmosphere of Enoteca Le Barrique evokes a sense of peace and tranquility. It’s the perfect place for serene conversations, whether in the garden or the indoor dining area, accompanied by a selection of lounge music played at a pleasant volume, ideal for not disturbing the ambiance.
7) Inferno: lounge bar and restaurant
Inferno was created with the idea of celebrating Italian culture through both its cuisine and historical heritage. Located in the historic Palazzo Gherardi, dating back to the 1400s, the restaurant offers a unique experience, where the interiors evoke scenes from Dante’s Inferno, enriched with new details every year, like a journey through Dante’s circles.
Just steps from Santa Croce, Inferno is an elegant restaurant that offers traditional Tuscan cuisine alongside modern reinterpretations. The dishes range from land to sea, prepared with the highest quality seasonal ingredients. The refined atmosphere is reflected not only in the culinary art but also in the suggestive, historical surroundings.
8) Pine & Apple: refined and chic Chinese
Just a stone’s throw from the Duomo, with chic details and a refined atmosphere, Pine & Apple offers high-quality Chinese cuisine. It’s not your typical Chinese restaurant: here you’ll find an intriguing and carefully crafted menu.
Each evening, you can try the original “Aperi-Cina,” a large plate full of Chinese tradition-inspired tastings, perfect for two people, accompanied by a spritz or a glass of wine each. A unique experience to explore authentic Chinese flavors in an elegant setting.
9) Il Vezzo
Il Vezzo was founded in 2013, aiming to offer something new. The restaurant presents itself as a little rustic gem, with 14 tables that can accommodate up to 28 guests, creating an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
It’s easy to feel at home here, thanks to a well-curated environment and attentive but never intrusive service. The dishes and ingredients are presented with competence and flair, without ever becoming dull. The menu offers classic traditional dishes, with options for meat, fish, and vegetarians.
10) Lo Saj: The Traditional Lebanese Sajeria
Lo Saj is the only authentic Lebanese Sajeria in Florence, offering a traditional culinary experience where you can enjoy typical specialties and purchase homemade products known as Mouné.
At the heart of the kitchen is the Saj, the ancient griddle used in Lebanon to prepare Markuk, a traditional flatbread, and Manakish, Lebanese flatbreads with a unique flavor.
This is a corner of authentic Lebanese culture and flavors, bringing traditional Lebanese cuisine to the heart of Florence.
