Recipes from Florence

Florence is known for its original and traditional recipes. At the heart of its recipes, you can find the four fundamental ingredients: bread, olive oil, steaks of beef, and wine!

The restaurants in Florence are known for the way it serves all Italian specialties. As years go by, chefs in Florence also introduce an innovative and new way of cooking their dishes. 

The wide array of choices in Florence also provides a glimpse of the place’s rich cultural, social, and historical transformation. The varied choices and flavors reflect the intermingling and traditional cooking styles that will suit the vibrance of the place and its people.

“Italian cuisine is famous worldwide, but before you can understand the food, you first need to understand the history and geography of the country,” said food writer Nikki Crowell of Culture Trip.

“Florence, in Tuscany, has a medieval history that influences the traditional staples of Florentine and Tuscan cuisine,” she added.

Interestingly, the food in Tuscany is simple and mostly locally produced. From grilled meats to mellow cheeses, these foods are the staple of Florence. 

Pasta , pizza and homemade food arrangement in a restaurant
A summer dinner .Pasta , pizza and homemade food arrangement in a restaurant Rome .Tasty and authentic Italian food.

Tuscans also love beans, such as white beans cooked with olive oil and safe. A typical dinner table in Florence also features streaks, wine braised or roasted deer, boar, and even rabbit. The meal is also coupled with a hearty soup, and yes, wine, particularly the Chianti wine.

“Regional Tuscan cooking is like any other Mediterranean country; it can change dramatically depending on which city or village you’re in,” a food and travel article from Curious Provence said.

“If you’re visiting Florence, you should try the gastronomy specific to this beautiful Renaissance city. The traditional foods of Florence are very much tied to Tuscan Cucina Povera. These are the most common dishes, and most traditional, you’ll find all around the city,” it added.

Tourist taking photo of Florence at sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy
Tourist taking photo of Florence at sunset from Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy. Beautiful panoramic view of Duomo Santa Maria Del Fiore and tower of Palazzo Vecchio during evening.

But before we head to the cuisine that made Florence famous, let us check first some of the interesting facts about the place to better understand and appreciate the favorite recipes from Florence:

  1. Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is the 8th most visited city in Italy.
  2. Florence had a population of 707,000 as of 2018.
  3. The famous landmark of Florence is the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
  4. Florence is home to nearly one-third of the most essential art masterpieces in the entire world. 
  5. Over 15 million visitors come to Florence annually.
  6. The Florentine language is the basis of the Italian language.
  7. Florence is widely known as the cradle of the Italian Renaissance Period.
  8. In 2018 alone, there were over 15 million tourists who arrived in Florence
  9. The David statue from Michelangelo was made in Florence.
  10. The Stendhal Syndrome, also known as the Florence syndrome, refers to accelerated heartbeat when a person is exposed to art masterpieces.
  11. German army occupied the City of Florence during World War II.
  12. Florence became the first city in Europe to pave its roads.
  13. In the 16th century, gelato was invented in Florence.
Variety of types and shapes of Italian pasta
Variety of types and shapes of Italian pasta in rows on white background from above. Italian cuisine food concept and menu design. Dry pasta background texture. Top view. Flat lay.

Fascinating recipes from Florence

1. Pappa Al Pomodoro

Pappa Al Pomodoro is simply bread, basil, tomatoes, and olive oil.

2. Baccalà alla Fiorentina

Baccalà alla Fiorentina is salted cod fish with onions, tomatoes, rosemary, and onions. It is served with toasted bread.

3. All’in zimino

All’in zimino is dish made of fish, meat or beans mixed with herbs, onions, and tomato sauce.

4. Ribollita

Ribollita is a heart-warming soup made with vegetables and bread.

5. Pappardelle Sulla Lepre

Pappardelle Sulla Lepre is a rich, thick flat pasta served with hare sauce.

6. Fettunta

Fettunta is simply known as original garlic bread. This grilled bread is mixed with raw garlic clove, drizzled with olive oil, and with a dash of salt.

7. Schiacciata Fiorentina

Schiacciata Fiorentina is a sweet cake.

8.Crostini di fegato 

Crostini di fegato is a chicken liver paté served on toasts. This type of food is always served with aperitvo.

9. Avioli Nudi

Avioli Nudi is composed of spinach and ricotta filling without the pasta. This food is often served with tomato sauce or butter.

10. Bistecca Fiorentina

Bistecca Fiorentina is a 2-inch long steak that includes a bone.

11. Piselli “alla fiorentina”

Piselli alla fiorentina is made of green peas, parsley, cured bacon, garlic, and olive oil.

12. Peposo Alla Fiorentina

Peposo Alla Fiorentina is a stewed beef, wine, and black peppercorns.

13. Fagiuoli (Fagioli) all’uccelletto

Fagiuoli (Fagioli) all’uccelletto is made of beans, sage, garlic, peppercorn, and sometimes with a sausage.

14. Zuppa Inglese

Zuppa Inglese is liquid custard cream.

15. Negroni

Negroni is a local cocktail in Florence.

16. Cornetto

Cornetto is a small yet dense croissant filled with sweet custard.

17. Spinach and Artichokes

Spinach and Artichokes are ingredients that are abundant in the recipes from Florence. These ingredients are dominant on top of pizzas, pasta, and panini.

18. Gelato

Gelatos are a favorite dessert that originated from Florence. Its flavors include hazelnut, fior di latte, coffee, almond, and pistachio. Other flavors that were borrowed from the United States include double chocolate, pecans, caramel, etc.

19. Crostini Neri

Crostini Neri is a liver paté, mostly chicken, served on toasted and sliced bread.

20. Crespelle alla Fiorentina

Crespelle alla Fiorentina is a pasta dish, and is stuffed with ricotta cheese, spinach, and creamy béchamel sauce. 

On the other hand, the Frescobaldi Family has also developed a partnership with 5 famous “trattoria” in Florence to create delicious recipes to be paired with Frescobaldi wines.

Enjoy these delicious and authentic Tuscan recipes, straight from Florence to your kitchen.

Oven cooked chine of pork
Steak alla Fiorentina
Stracotto alla fiorentina
Ribollita
Sausage cappellacci on black cabbage and pecorino cheese
Bean Soup with Spelt
Pear flavored pasta fiocchetti with taleggio cheese sauce and asparagus
Tuscan veal fillet with balsamic vinegar
Prawns alla Lampada (Lamp)
Risotto Rucola and Shrimp
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina
Drunk man’s tagliolini pasta
Asparagus involtini (small bundles)
Chicken breast alla Carmine
Marrowbone alla fiorentina
Beef tagliata (grilled sliced beef) with rucola
Parmesan basket with yellow squash risotto
Cream in crunchy caramel cage
Steak alla Fiorentina
Tuscan fillet with shallots in balsamic vinegar
Prosciutto in bacon with a pork net
Pappardelle with duck ragu and turnip heads
Potato tortelli with Tuscan ragu’ meat sauce
Cheesecake
Artichoke Heart
4 Leoni Salad
Peposo all Imprunetina or alla Fornacina