Welcome to Firenze, Our Home
Piazzale Michelangelo
S&V: Best Panoramic view of the city: Duomo, Arno, rooftops and hills. But don’t stop there! Go up to the beautiful church of San Miniato al Monte.
Giardino delle Rose
S: I used to work on my school projects there, while enjoying the sun and the view!
Trattoria Zà Zà
V: My favorites Prosciutto, burrata, artichokes with truffle; Liver Pate and Porcini Mushrooms on crispy polenta cakes (“similar to crispy rice”); Spaghetti Carbonara with black Truffle cream Sauce; Ravioli or Tagliatelle pasta with creamy black truffle sauce; Gnocchi with Gorgonzola cheese & fresh truffle; Veal in Truffle Sauce; Rigatoni Sorrentina in a tomato sauce with melted mozzarella; Pappardelle Cinghiale “Wild Boar”.
Best Gelato in Town!
S&V : La Carraia has been our all time favorite, we love the Biscottini, Nocciola, Pistacchio, Amarena, but any flavor will blow you away! V: Gelateria dei Neri, my other favorite gelato Is the Ricotta & Pistachio, their “signature”.
Cosimo Rooftop (Westin Excelsior)
S&V: Go for aperitivo and fall in love with the view! One of the best in Florence!
Osteria Pastella
V: Order the Tagliatelle pasta served in a Grana Padano Cheese Wheel Tableside with shaved truffles; Pappardelle Cinghiale.
Cappelle Medicee
S: The Chapel is an architectural masterpiece by Michelangelo: perfect proportions, allegories (Day/Night, Dawn/Dusk). Search for the unfinished details and the intricacies of the marble. Don’t miss the tombs sculpted by Michelangelo himself.
Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence
S: Here are the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo, stunning Giotto frescoes, and impressive chapels. Don’t miss Brunelleschi’s Pazzi Chapel and Donatello’s wooden crucifix.
Osteria delle Tre Panche - Centro Storico
V&S: Rooftop truffle menu on the Arno river overlooking the Ponte Vecchio; Tagliolini with shaved black truffles; Truffle Beef Tartare; Truffle Filet Mignon.
Opera del Duomo Museum
S: Here you’ll find the original “Gates of Paradise” by Ghiberti and original cathedral/Baptistery sculptures (the ones outside are replicas).
Boboli Gardens
S&V: Stroll through the Boboli Gardens and let yourself get lost! Don’t miss the spectacular Buontalenti Grotto
Ristorante Buca Mario
V: Lasagnetta della Nonna Isabella; Bistecca all Fiorentina “shared” on a sizzling platter served tableside; Veal Osso Buco.
Museo Nazionale del Bargello
S: Compare Donatello’s bronze David (the first Renaissance nude) with Michelangelo’s marble David in the Accademia. Also see Michelangelo’s Bacchus, Donatello’s St. George, and the original Orsanmichele niche statues (replicas are outside).
Gustapizza
V: My favorite is the Calabrese but any Pizza is unreal, pick it up and eat it in Palazzo Pitti square.
Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
S: Michelangelo’s original David is here! The unfinished Slaves, and Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women. Look closely, every vein and muscle in the David seems to pulse with life!
Trattoria La Madia
V: Polenta with Cinghiale “wild boar” specialty; Pappa al Pomodoro; Gnocchi arugula pesto with Parmesan cheese crema; Ravioli in a Rosè tomato sauce; Penne alla Boscaiola with Prosciutto Cotto and Mushrooms; Bistecca alla Fiorentina (shared).
Orsanmichele
S: This is a gothic church turned from a grain market. Check the exterior niches with guild symbols (e.g., wool for Arte della Lana), the sculptures, were commissioned by each guild and they were created by masters like Donatello. This is a quick but impressive stop!
Trattoria Cammillo
S: Everything is incredible! My favorite is the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, but order their seasonal dishes and you’ll be blown away.
Palazzo Vecchio
S: Check out the Salone dei Cinquecento with Vasari’s frescoes and Michelangelo’s Victory. Above runs the secret Vasari Corridor linking the Uffizi and Pitti Palace.
Piazza della Repubblica
S: Sit at these great traditional spots and grab a coffee and pastry shops (don’t do to-go) Café Paszkowski and Gilli. Pro tip: No milk after 11am! After head to la Rinascente for some shopping or a great sunset apperitivo at the rooftop.
Rinascente Firenze
V: Aperitivo with a spectacular view of the Duomo
Loggia dei Lanzi
S: Just walk through the Loggia dei Lanzi to see, among others, Cellini’s Perseus and Giambologna’s Rape of the Sabine Women.
Pino's Sandwiches - Salumeria Verdi
V: Quattro Stagione Panino: Prosciutto cotto, Prosciutto crudo, mozzarella, tomatoes, & artichokes. Add truffle crema and mushroom crema to boost the flavor profile.
La Giostra
V: Tortelloni Pasta stuffed with pear & pecorino cheese (their “signature”); Veal Osso Bucco (their “signature”); Pappardelle Cinghiale “wild boar sauce” classic Tuscan pasta; Tagliatelle in an Artichoke sauce; Branzino “Seabass”; Tagliatelle Calamari.
Il Pizzaiuolo
V: Greatest/Biggest Burrata from Puglia region (appetizer); Margherita Pizza and add N’Duja if you like spice; Diavola Pizza; Capricciosa Pizza.
Mercato Centrale
V&S: Get lost in this place! Our favorites are Da Narbone: Since 1872! Try their panino con Porchetta (ask for red and green sauces on top); Panino con Lampredotto (if you’re adventurous); Veal Osso Buco; Baby Artichokes. Savini Tartufi: Inside the central market on 2nd floor. Try their signature Tagliolini pasta bathing in any of their truffle sauces or any truffle dish they have on the menu, we’re obsessed!
Rasputin
S: Awesome speakeasy (hidden bar). There’s no sign and the doorman will act as if you’re in the wrong place. Make reservations, it fills up easily!
Signorvino Firenze
S: An incredible selection of italian wine overlooking the Arno, go for an apperitivo after strolling through florence. Get some nice bottles to take back home!