Where to Eat in Florence on a Budget: Best Restaurants, Sandwich Shops, Bars, and Wine Windows
Florence is built for foodies, wine devotees, and history lovers. With wine served out of inconspicuous windows, crisp sandwich shops lining every street, and the scent of savory pasta drifting out of snug trattorias, the options of where to eat in Florence on a budget are endless!
I dove headfirst into the food scene while I was in Florence, as eating became one of my favorite things to do here. This blog will include a mixture of sit-down restaurants, sandwich shops, bars, famous wine windows, and a mouthwatering cooking class I took that you can add to your trip itinerary.
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Where to Eat in Florence on a Budget: Restaurants and Sandwich Shops
Get ready to eat on this vacation because Florence has so many options to choose from! I’ve listed a mixture of cozy sit-down restaurants and convenient sandwich shops below, all tried by yours truly.
Rivoire
This historic chocolate shop doubles as a restaurant and is known for its iconic hot chocolate. Even though ordering hot chocolate in the middle of summer sounds a bit criminal, I couldn’t resist! I was not left disappointed, as the hot chocolate truly lived up to its reputation. It might just be the best I’ve ever had!
Aside from the hot chocolate, there’s a tasty menu to order from as well, offering classic Italian favorites. I ordered a lemon caccio e pepe pasta dish to enjoy after my hot chocolate!
Dining at Rivoire gives you a taste of the past, and the restaurant is marked by an elegant design, with pink outdoor dining chairs greeting guests. The design is truly inviting, from the outdoor seats to the bathrooms.
This classy restaurant was one of the top places I wanted to eat at, and I’ll forever recommend it to others!
Hours: Open daily from 7:30am-11:30pm
Trattoria Zà Zà
If you’re wondering where to eat in Florence for an authentic Italian dinner, Trattoria Zà Zà is an excellent choice! This traditional Tuscan restaurant offers a refined dining atmosphere, with various cozy rooms to dine in once inside.
With a lengthy menu of appetizers, main courses, desserts, and wines, the most difficult part of dining here will be narrowing down your choices! Finish off your meal with their homemade tiramisu or Zà Zà style desserts. You can never have too much dessert in Italy!
You’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time to guarantee a table for your party. You can do so on their site!
Hours: Open daily from 11am-11pm
Gustapizza
Gustapizza was recommended to me by a friend who studied abroad here and raved of their heart-shaped pizzas, so I was stoked to try it out! Once arriving, you can either dine in the restaurant or order pizza to go. There was quite a line of people waiting to be seated, which is usual for this spot, so I opted for ordering to-go instead since I was in a time crunch this day.
I didn’t see it noted anywhere that the pizzas were heart-shaped, so I made sure to ask the cashier to bake a heart-shaped one. The pizza itself was amazing! However, the shape didn’t resemble a heart. Nonetheless, I was happy I took my friend’s suggestion and stopped here.
Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday from 11:30am-11:30pm
Cafe Odeon
I just so happened to stumble upon Cafe Odeon and couldn’t leave it out of my blog on where to eat in Florence! This is located just outside of the Giunti Odeon Libreria e Cinema, a famous bookstore doubling as a cinema that has become quite the TikTok phenomenon.
After wandering through the bookstore, it led me out to Cafe Odeon, and I decided to enjoy a peaceful lunch here. They have a variety of brunch and dinner options to choose from and even have a wine window (more details later on).
While it is a bit on the smaller side, I loved dining in their enclosed patio outside, listening to music from the distance.
Hours: Open Sunday-Thursday from 11:30am-11pm (2am on Friday-Saturday)
I Fratellini
Another spot that was suggested by my friend was I Fratellini, a sandwich shop with humble prices. While sandwiches might sound like a boring meal option abroad, they are quite the delicacy in Florence! This street food is taken to the next level with crispy bread, salty prosciutto, and various sandwich fillings.
I Fratellini has quite a wide menu to choose from, despite its small appearance. I made sure to order a sandwich with prosciutto, as this is my favorite sandwich meat. The sandwich itself was as big as my head!
For only around $6, this was the best lunch option while exploring the streets. You’ll find tons of sandwich shops around the city, but this was my favorite sandwich I tried!
Hours: Open daily from 11am-4:30pm (6pm on Saturday-Sunday)
I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti
You might have come across some TikToks on where to eat in Florence. If so, they likely mentioned I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti, another sandwich shop in Florence.
This is another small establishment with a large menu to choose from. I wanted to try something a bit different here and didn’t love it as much as the sandwich I tried from I Fratellini. However, it could’ve just been the certain type of sandwich I tried. The family I spoke to inside the shop said it was their third day in a row ordering from here, so it clearly has some good menu items to choose from and earned itself a spot in this blog!
Hours: Open daily from 11:30am-8pm (9pm on Friday-Saturday)
Gelateria La Carraia
While this isn’t a restaurant or sandwich shop, Gelateria La Carraia earned itself an honorable mention in this post. Everyone who knows me can confirm that I rave about the gelato in Europe, and this shop serves some of the best!
Depending on the time of day that you visit, there might be a line out the door. However, it moves rather quickly! There are tons of flavors to choose from, and I recommend trying out the pistachio flavor while you’re here. While I felt a bit apprehensive about trying this flavor, it ended up becoming a favorite of mine, and I’ve had it many times since.
The gelateria is located right across from the Arno River, so I suggest grabbing some gelato during golden hour and catching the sunset over the bridge while indulging in this delicacy!
Hours: Open daily from 11am-12am
Cooking Class to Book in Florence
Although this is a blog about where to eat in Florence on a budget, I can’t leave out the amazing cooking class I took in a Tuscan farmhouse. I had the best pizza of my entire trip here and would love for you to experience the same!
This authentic tour picks you up in Florence and drops you off at a Tuscan farmhouse, where you’ll be greeted with an aperitivo. Next, you’ll be brought to the kitchen to learn about the gelato-making process. You’ll be able to choose from a selection of flavors to create and will get to work!
After the base starts to cool, you’ll head to the wood oven outside, where a pair of instructors will walk you through the pizza dough creation process. For the rest of the evening, you’ll alternate between the pizza and gelato, following the directions for each recipe.
Once your pizza is ready to be cooked, it will be tossed in the wood oven for a total of 90 seconds. Sound like a short amount of time? This is all it needs in the 800° oven to get the perfect broiled crust. Sprinkle your final fixing on your personal pizza, like a spicy chili oil, before enjoying at a beautiful table overlooking the Tuscan countryside.
After the pizza is consumed, you’ll all have a chance to sample the gelato flavors you created! To finish off the night, you’ll be handed a certificate of completion. I strongly recommend booking this tour, as it came with tasty food and an informative class with fun banter by our instructors.
Click here to book your spot!
Florence Bars to Check Out
Enough of where to eat in Florence. Let’s get into the bars! The Florence nightlife is worth experiencing during your trip, as the streets become so lively and full of locals at night. Continue reading to discover my best bar suggestions.
Villa Vittoria Firenze
This is hands down the best spot I visited in Florence. I had no idea this spot existed until the group I was hanging out with suggested that we visit here. Once arriving, we were greeted by a beautiful entryway leading to a refined outdoor nightclub.
There were various sections of the club, such as chill lounge spaces with couches, high tops for enjoying drinks, and a vibrant dance floor. My favorite part of Villa Vittoria Firenze was the stunning projection on the villa, making it feel like I was starring in The White Lotus!
They do require an appropriate dress code. Even though I wasn’t dressed fancy, I was still allowed in, but I do wish I had worn something a bit cuter. If I’m ever in Florence again, it’ll give me the perfect excuse to pull a cute outfit together!
Hours: Open Wednesday-Saturday from 8pm-3am
View on Art Rooftop Cocktail Bar
This stunning rooftop bar is located adjacent to the Duomo, giving you some of the best views of this cathedral without crowds of people around you. If you’re looking for where to eat in Florence, you’ll also be happy to hear that there is a small menu offered here as well. However, I can’t attest to the flavor of the food, as I was here for one thing and one thing only: an Aperol spritz.
I absolutely loved this little gem and was so glad my hostel roommate suggested it, as I hadn’t seen it in any of my research. The views are pretty from any time of day, but make sure to bring a pair of sunglasses, as not every seat is in the shade.
Hours: Open daily from 11am-11:30pm
Red Garter
I wasn’t planning on having another late night out in Florence, but I met some Australians who were going to a karaoke night at a bar called Red Garter, and I cannot turn down karaoke!
The lively atmosphere was so fun, with countless karaoke classics being sung one after another. I will say that a line forms to perform karaoke and can take quite a long time to get through, especially as it’s not watched very closely and people butt in line after already singing. Nonetheless, I stood in line and eventually had my moment on the stage! But if you want to avoid wasting time in line, it’s just as fun to dance as others sing.
Hours: Open daily until 4am
Best Wine Windows in Florence
It wouldn’t be a blog on where to eat in Florence without mentioning their iconic wine windows! Wine windows, or "buchette del vino," became popular in Florence during the 17th century as a way for local vintners to sell their wine directly to customers while avoiding contact during times of plague. These small, arched openings in the walls of palaces and buildings allowed for safe, socially distanced transactions.
Nowadays, the wine windows continue to draw in crowds but for much happier reasons. These wine windows are scattered throughout the city and often have a restaurant inside. However, many tourists love to hop from one wine window to the next, taking themselves on a self-guided tour and getting tipsier in the process.
I’ve listed a few of my favorite wine windows in Florence below so that you can take yourself on a little wine tour around the city as well. Enjoy!
BABAE
This is easily one of the most notable wine windows in the city. BABAE’s wine window is a bit inconspicuous at first glance. However, the small crowd of wine drinkers right outside usually gives it away.
You’ll see a small menu of wines pasted on the wall next to the window, and you can order your preferred choice. I went with a rosé, as I like my wine to run on the sweeter side. Not only can you order wine here, but you can also order the popular Aperol spritz!
Hours: Open Monday-Saturday from 10am-12am (2am on Friday-Saturday)
Osteria Belle Donne
We happened upon this wine window decorated with flowers prior to our night out at Villa Vittoria Firenze, and it truly set the tone for the night! Although we stopped by close to closing hours, the staff was downright hilarious and came out with a huge fake bottle of wine for some photos with us.
This makes for a fun stop on your wine window tour and is worth the visit!
Hours: Open daily from 12pm-11:30pm
Cafe Odeon
As mentioned earlier, this is a great restaurant option located right outside of the cinema. In addition to the restaurant, however, there is a wine window here that attracted a handful of patrons while I was dining. I didn’t order any here, but I got to witness workers filming some content for the wine window, and the wines they selected looked fantastic!
Hours: I’m guessing the window has the same hours as the cafe!
Is It Expensive to Eat in Florence?
You came to this blog wanting to know where to eat in Florence on a budget, so let’s address the elephant in the room! While upscale restaurants and fine dining establishments in the city center can be pricey, there are plenty of budget-friendly options as well that I was able to enjoy, as listed in this blog. You can have delicious and reasonably priced meals at local trattorias, pizzerias, and street food vendors, where you’ll find authentic Florentine dishes like panini from sandwich shops and plates of pasta from cozy eateries.
What Time Do Italians Eat Dinner in Florence?
In Florence, as in the rest of Italy, dinner is typically enjoyed later in the evening. Most Italians start their dinner around 7:30 to 9pm. Restaurants usually open for dinner service around 7pm, and it's common to see locals dining well into the night, which is always a culture shock for me no matter how much I prepare myself for it!
Do You Tip Waiters in Florence?
Tipping waiters in Florence is not as customary as it is in some other countries, but it is appreciated for exceptional service. Most restaurants include a service charge, called "coperto," in the bill, which covers the cost of bread and table settings. If you wish to leave an additional tip, rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount, like 5-10%, is a nice gesture but not expected.
Do Restaurants in Florence Take Card?
Yes, most restaurants in Florence accept credit and debit cards, especially in popular tourist areas. I never ran into an issue! However, it's always a good idea to carry some cash with you, as smaller trattorias, cafes, and family-run establishments may prefer cash payments or have a minimum amount required for card transactions.
Whoo! You’ve made it to the end of this lengthy list of where to eat in Florence on a budget. This is only the tip of the iceberg, but you have to start somewhere. It’s hard to be disappointed with food in Italy, but I hope this blog helps you get an idea of the affordable and chic options that are available. Enjoy, and have a glass of wine for me!
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