Florence is one of the happening Italian cities known for its fabulous art & craft work, wine culture, the countryside in Tuscany, and gorgeous scenery. The popular Medici dynasty once ruled here in the late 19th century. The Florentine and Tuscan cuisines are very similar in nature, with the recipes focussed on leafy vegetables with mushrooms served with meats like wild boar and rabbits. They are accompanied by bread prepared without salt as well. Let's take you through the foods you must try in Florence, Italy, that should be on your food list after getting your Italy tourist visa.
Bistecca Fiorentina
A Florentine Steak served with a veal or heifer meat cut from the Chianina breed of cattle originating in Siena gives it a rich flavor. Due to the exquisite ingredients used, the dish is rarely on the menu, but whenever it is served, it's totally worth it. The four main ingredients are steak, EVOO, salt, and pepper. The steak here is expected to be grilled over hot coals with the bone-in, just like it is for the American T-bone. The best place to try a Bistecca Fiorentina is in the food tours in Florence held annually.
Cantuccini with vin santo
This is a classical dessert served in Florence. Cantucci is popular worldwide as biscotti, but in Italian, it refers to different variations of cookies. Small-sized almond cookies, hazelnuts, or pistachios are served with a thick-flavored dessert wine called vin santo. You should dip the cookies in the wine to soften them and then consume them. It’s a wonderful recipe to savor post a heavy meal.
Cervello Fritto
The animal's brain is fried, similar to the Lampredotto, where the focus was to use the less popular parts of the animal meat, like a veal calf. The dish is rich in protein and savored as a local delicacy in Florence. The essence of this dish comes when the meat brain is soaked in water and lemon for some time. Post that, it is battered and fried. You can try this dish at the Foody Farm Florence, where this delicacy is served occasionally.
Coniglio Arrosto Morto
This popular Rabbit delicacy is savored at many destinations within Italy. This wonderful dish has the same texture as chicken but a distinct flavor. There are minimal ingredients used here that are slow-cooked with freshly sourced high-quality ingredients. When in Florence, consider this recipe for a hearty lunch meal.
Crostini
This amazing appetizer is served with assorted bruschetta, small pieces of Tuscan bread garnished with sauces, vegetable salsas, and purees. One of the amazing variations you can try is the antipasto Toscano, a chicken liver pate on top of crunchy Tuscan bread. Order with a combo of a tagliere to make your meal complete.
Dinner and drinks in Santo Spirito
Enjoy a peaceful and tranquil environment in central Florence. Start your evening at the Piazzo Santo Spirito by heading to Piazza Della Passera or 5 e cinque for authentic local flavors. You can enjoy a delicious dessert like gelato at the Gelateria Della Passera before finally winding up with some drinks at the Caffe degli Artigiani. This place will give you the typical vibe of the amazing nightlife in Italy. Next, you can try the Piazza Santo Spirito, where you can try the Osteria Santo Spirinto while enjoying some drinks at Pop Café.
Gelato
You will savor some of the best gelatos in Florence, Italy. Avoid the artificial colored ones and the over-the-top garnishes. Also, if you find the pistachio flavor less than dull greenish-brown, you should ignore the gelato as this has been prepared using poor-quality ingredients. This is always on the top of any food list prepared for getting your Italy tourist visa.
Lampredotto and Trippa
The dish features a sandwich and a great Lampredotto stand prepared from the fourth stomach of a cow. The dish originated from poorer families who wanted to experiment with less desirable and cheaper animal parts. Served popularly as a street food sandwich. Head to L’Antico Trippaio for the authentic flavor of this dish.
Panzanella
This is a summer salad very popular in the Tuscan recipe. The classic Tuscan salad is prepared with stale bread soaked in water and then squeezed dry and flavored with a round of onions, tomatoes, and an oil and vinegar dressing. Other key ingredients are olives, anchovies, carrots, cheese, boiled eggs, celery, capers, tuna, bell peppers, wine, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley. You will love consuming this healthy recipe when in Florence.
Pappardelle Al Ragu Di Cinghiale
Think noodles with an egg base are flavored with wild boar meat and served. This meal is filling and hearty and very popular in Florence. You should take advantage of this hearty pasta dish during your visit to Florence. For the meat, you can also use beef and pork and flavor it with a round of onions, tomatoes, and celery. You will get authentic flavors of this delicacy at the Osteria Cingiale Bianco.
Ribollita
A wonderful mixture of bread, bean, and black cabbage soup. You can mix plenty of other vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and much more as per the flavor you would love. This hearty soup is a perfect recipe if you want to have something light for your meal. You can try this delicacy at the Da Nerbone in Mercato Centrale, where you are served the wonderful authentic flavors of this dish.
Schiacciata Alla Florentina
This delicacy is a familiar Florentine cake not very sweet or topped with flavors. A simple cake recipe with light vanilla and orange flavors. You should savor this amazing dessert without thinking of the consumed calories. It is often served topped with Giglio, a Florentine crest. People say your culinary tour of Florence is complete if you have yet to taste this delicacy. Try the authentic flavor served at Forno Top.
Schiacciata Con L’uva
This dessert dish is loaded with fresh fruits. Here you use only six spoons of sugar to prepare the cake, which is quite less than normal standards. Grapes and citrus fruits add flavor and sweetness to this dish. You could consume this as a breakfast item or as an Italian treat. This should feature in the top menu items after you have received your Italy tourist visa. Head to the Forno Top for the best flavor.
Tagliere
A meat and cheese platter is savored as an appetizer on a hot summer. You can taste the different variations by trying various meat and cheese combos. Prosciutto, finocchio, salami, and different types of pecorino cheeses are some variations you should try. If you are ordering bigger platters with Tuscan bread, grilled vegetables, and honey or marmalade, too.
