Phoebe Hunt

What’s the vibe? One of Florence’s most historic restaurants, Cammillo has been in the same family since it opened in 1945. You’ll still find Chiara, the matriarch of the family, in here most days. The vibe is frilly lace curtains, big wooden tables and a loud, convivial atmosphere that’s hardly changed in the last half century. What are the prices like? Though it’s more expensive than your average trattoria, locals and tourists agree Cammillo is worth the price. A meal for two with wine will set you back about €100. What should I order?  Don’t be overwhelmed by the long menu. You can’t go wrong with the ‘piatti del giorno’ printed at the top; seasonally changing dishes showcasing the best produce. In late spring, deep-fried courgette flowers stuffed with ricotta are a go-to, but stews and hearty ragu dishes are equally delightful in the cooler months. For dessert, its cloudlike tiramisu is agreed to be one of the best in Florence.  What’s worth visiting nearby? Cammillo is in the Oltrarno, the trendy and bohemian neighbourhood south of the Arno river. After a leisurely lunch, stroll over Ponte Santa Trinita for spectacular views of the Ponte Vecchio, or head into nearby Santo Spirito for a drink in the buzzing piazza. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Florence

What’s the vibe?  On summer evenings, snag one of the street side tables for dinner at one of Florence’s most romantic spots. The food is excellent, but it’s as much about the wine here, with a strong natural wine offering and hundreds of bottles to choose from. Flickering candles and exposed stone walls make this place at once rustic and elegant. Founded by three childhood friends who are passionate about ingredients and provenance, the interiors are simple enough to let the food shine. What are the prices like? Though it feels like a special occasion place, the prices are fairly average for a meal out in Florence. Pasta dishes are around the €12 mark, and mains are mostly around €25.  What should I order?  Gastronomes will delight in the selections of fresh produce that often grace the menu here; ‘a tasting of special Sardinian cheeses,’ for example, or a platter of cured meats from Umbria and Chianti, always expertly and creatively paired with wines. For those who prefer a more classic dinner, you can’t go wrong with the handmade pasta dishes, like garganelli with red onions and courgettes.  What’s worth visiting nearby?  Just next door to Il Santo Bevitore is the restaurant’s little sibling, Santino, a wine bar where you can settle in to sample yet more of their delicious selection of Tuscan bottles. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Florence

What’s the vibe?  It’s hard to get more Florentine than a dinner at Cibrèo, where everything from the Ginori crockery to the Tuscan wine list to the cypress-scented hand soap in the bathrooms pays homage to this city. The restaurant’s late founder Fabio Picci is credited with bringing historic and homely Tuscan recipes into the restaurant sphere. What are the prices like? Rather confusingly, Cibrèo is split into two parts: a casual, rustic trattoria and a more formal, white tablecloth ristorante for special occasions. The prices change accordingly, though they share a kitchen and a number of dishes are on the menu at both. Expect to pay €15 to €25 for a main at the trattoria, and upwards of €35 for a main at the ristorante. What should I order? The menus change with the seasons, but there are certain staples to look out for. Offal and tripe dishes like lampredotto or chicken liver pate are outstanding, as are the stuffed artichokes during spring. For dessert, order the famous bitter marmalade cheesecake and a grappa. What’s worth visiting nearby? Just metres from the restaurant is Mercato Sant’Ambrogio, a vibrant and traditional fruit and vegetable market where much of the fresh produce on the menu at Cibrèo is sourced. 📍 Discover more of the best things to do in Florence