Day-by-day eating plans for Florence. weekend classics, family routes, vegan plans, on-a-budget editions.

Day-by-day plans

Florence weekend: the classics, done right ★ 4.7

First-time visitor, two days2 days

A weekend built around the dishes Florence invented and still cooks best in 2026: lampredotto, ribollita, bistecca alla fiorentina, schiacciata and the gelato that closes every day.

  1. Day 1: Saturday: market morning, lampredotto lunch, bistecca dinner

    Morning
    Mercato Centrale at 09:00. Buy a bag of cantucci from a stall; espresso at the upstairs food hall.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Trattoria Mario at 12:30 (queue from 12:00). Ribollita, pappardelle al cinghiale, a quartino of house Chianti.
    Evening
    Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza at 19:30, two-seating only. Bistecca alla fiorentina for two, butter chicken, tortino di carciofi.

  2. Day 2: Sunday: Oltrarno breakfast, schiacciata lunch, gelato finale

    Morning
    Cappuccino and cornetto at Caffe Gilli on Piazza della Repubblica from 08:00. Walk over Ponte Vecchio.
    Afternoon
    Schiacciata from All'Antico Vinaio on Via dei Neri (queue from 12:00). Eat on the steps of Santa Croce.
    Evening
    Aperitivo and dinner at Il Santo Bevitore in Oltrarno. Crudo di manzo, pici al ragu d'anatra, a glass of Tuscan natural wine.

Florence bistecca focus: three days of Chianina ★ 4.6

Steak-focused, three days3 days

Three days dedicated to the bistecca alla fiorentina across the city's canonical grills, paired with the right Chianti Classico and the right side: white beans, grilled radicchio, Tuscan olive oil.

  1. Day 1: Day 1: the 1880 cellar grill

    Morning
    Coffee and brioche at Procacci 1885 on Via Tornabuoni from 09:00. Truffle panino at the counter (€7).
    Afternoon
    Lunch at I Quattro Leoni in Oltrarno. Fiocchetti pera-taleggio, then the tagliata di Chianina.
    Evening
    Dinner at Buca Lapi at 20:00. The 1.2kg bistecca alla fiorentina in the Palazzo Antinori cellar; book three weeks ahead.

  2. Day 2: Day 2: the 1869 trattoria grill

    Morning
    Cappuccino at Ditta Artigianale Via dei Neri. V60 filter of the day. Walk to the Mercato Sant'Ambrogio.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Trattoria da Rocco inside the Sant'Ambrogio market loggia (12:30 sharp). The daily pasta and a quartino of red.
    Evening
    Dinner at Trattoria Sostanza at 19:30 first seating. The bistecca over coal grill; butter chicken; cash only.

  3. Day 3: Day 3: the modern bistecca

    Morning
    Breakfast at La Menagere in the flower-shop room from 09:00. Eggs, brioche, jazz at noon.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Acqua al 2 (book a 13:00 seating). Assaggio di primi (five-pasta sampler), bistecca al mirtillo.
    Evening
    Dinner at Regina Bistecca behind the Duomo at 20:00. Chianina tartare to start; the 1kg bistecca for two from the glass-cabinet cellar.

Florence family long-lunch trip: trattorias and gelaterie ★ 4.5

Family with kids, three days, slow lunches3 days

Three days built around long Tuscan lunches, easy walks, the Mercato Centrale food hall for kid-friendly counter food, and a daily gelato stop that ends every afternoon.

  1. Day 1: Day 1: Oltrarno trattoria and gelato bench

    Morning
    Cappuccino and brioche at Caffe Gilli on Piazza della Repubblica. Walk to Palazzo Pitti, then over Ponte Vecchio.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at Trattoria La Casalinga off Piazza Santo Spirito. Ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, the kids' tagliatelle.
    Evening
    Dinner at I Quattro Leoni on Piazza della Passera. Fiocchetti, bistecca, panna cotta. Book the terrace.

  2. Day 2: Day 2: Mercato Centrale food hall and Cibreo

    Morning
    Mercato Centrale ground floor from 09:00 for stall-shopping; espresso at the food hall.
    Afternoon
    Lunch on the first floor of Mercato Centrale (food hall counters). Lampredotto for the parents, pasta for the kids, gelato to finish.
    Evening
    Dinner at Cibreo Trattoria at 19:45 (no bookings). Polpettine di pollo, pappa al pomodoro, trippa alla fiorentina.

  3. Day 3: Day 3: Schiacciata picnic and family trattoria

    Morning
    Forno Pugi at 09:30 for schiacciata fiorentina and pizza al taglio. Picnic on the Boboli Garden lawns.
    Afternoon
    Lunch at All'Antico Vinaio on Via dei Neri (queue from 12:00). La Favolosa schiacciata each; eat on the Santa Croce steps.
    Evening
    Dinner at Trattoria Marione at 19:30. Ribollita, pappardelle al cinghiale, the kids' tagliata.

Itineraries in Florence, FAQ

When is the best time to eat in Florence?

Peak food season in Florence is year-round.

What time do people eat in Florence?

Local dining hours: lunch around 12:30, dinner from 19:30.

How does tipping work in Florence?

service is typically included; small extra is welcome but not expected.

What is the one dish to try in Florence?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Florence rewards trust.

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