What to eat in the city of Florence?

1. Coccoli

Are you a gourmand who appreciates small pastries filled with cheese? Coccoli (such an adorable name that means cuddle in Italian) is made for you. Wrapped in a layer of puff pastry, the smell of creamy cheese gradually fills your nostrils as you bite into this little brioche. Generally, Florentines like to garnish this dish with a few pieces of prosciutto ham. Usually eaten as an appetizer, it also makes a very good dessert for those who prefer savory to sweet.

2. Truffle Gnocchi

Since truffle is an absolutely, indisputably, and extremely good food to eat, imagine the result of mixing it with pasta! Truffle gnocchi is an emblematic dish of Italian gastronomy, and the Florence region is no exception to this rule. Truffles have this ability to add flavor and taste to the dish, and their texture pairs very well with the soft aspect of gnocchi. A meal to test urgently, you'll feel like you're on cloud nine!

3. Peposo

Many would agree that this dish is an ode to beef. It's a recipe from Tuscany that loves to be enjoyed in the evening after a rough and long day at work. Its origin? Workers used to cook this quick and easy meal in the 15th century during the construction of Florence's most emblematic historical monument, which is none other than the Dome, the "Santa Maria del Fiore" cathedral. It's a dish known for bringing energy and courage. One bite, and you're transported directly back to the time of the Italian Renaissance.

4. Cantuccini

In a few words: easy, quick, and tasty. That's how we can describe Florence's famous dry biscuit with whole almonds. A little local wine (we'll talk about it later in the ranking) that Italians have the secret to, and Florentines like to end their meal with this little crunchy touch. If your taste buds are alert enough, you won't be long in sensing the light lemon or orange zest that permeates this cake, so unique in its kind. No doubt, these sesame pastes are excellent.

5. Ribollita

How about a little soup for lunch? A low-calorie and light dish, so as not to weigh you down too much for the visit that awaits you afterwards. Ribollita composed of cabbage (cavolo nero nicknamed black cabbage, much cooked in the Tuscany region), carrots, potatoes, white beans, the famous juicy Italian tomatoes, and a few slices of fresh Tuscan bread straight from the corner bakery. The heavy aspect of Ribollita is due to the fact that it has been recooked and boiled several times, hence the term Ribollita, which means brought to a boil. We learn something new every day, right?

6. Bistecca alla Fiorentina

How about a good Florentine steak served with tripe? This dish, called bistecca alla fiorentina, is made with red meat and carefully prepared on a grill, which gives it a little crispy barbecue meat taste that is absolutely perfect. Cooked on charcoal over oak wood fire, the dish is served particularly in summer. Quite difficult to cook at home, given the equipment needed for cooking, it's easier to enjoy it at a restaurant. And know that in Florence, you'll find it on every street corner without great difficulty!

7. Schiacciata

Yes, it's a classic, but admit nonetheless that it deserves its place in this ranking. This Tuscan bread served as an aperitif with a few slices of meat, accompanied by a little fresh salad and a glass of wine is absolutely divine and enchanting. Schiacciata has the particularity of being crispy and you can easily taste the olive oil used for preparation. It's the kind of dish you can enjoy right in the street, while walking and admiring the shops, small stands and monuments that Florence has to offer.

8. Lampredotto

It looks exactly like a big burger filled with the foods we love most in the world. Lampredotto is one of the meat recipes from regional livestock that is consumed in Florentine street food. What's hiding behind the two slices of bread, you ask? Beef tripe (they're definitely popular in Florence) that are cooked in a vegetable broth with several aromatics. If you wish, you can also add green lampredotto sauce to your sandwich to bring out even more the taste of the meat.

9. Trippa alla Fiorentina

You have no idea what it is? A tripe-based dish simply, cooked with offal, which is a hit with Florentines. It's a rather old recipe with tomatoes (ingredient much used in Italy, we're not teaching you anything) as well as extra virgin olive oil. While cooking everything, this dish pairs very well with a glass of white or red wine, depending on your preferences. With a little celery and a few slices of carrots, Trippa Alla Fiorentina is exquisite, slightly crunchy.

10. Vin Santo

Let's finish our tasting list with a grand cru: the sweet wine of Italy linked to the Florence region. It's a very consumed dessert wine that leaves an aftertaste of white grape on your palate. Little tip: we advise you to taste it with the small biscuits called cantuccini (mentioned previously), the crispy and sweet side is absolutely incredible in the mouth. The amber color of the wine gives it a beautiful tint, and its slightly thick texture is enough to make your stomach swoon.