The Traveling Professor's itineraries are ambitious and we usually are a hungry bunch after a day of touring. Here are our picks for the best restaurants in Florence:
Za-Za: Located near the Mercado Centrale, everything here is fresh. I like the pastas and the appetizers of salami and cheeses. If the weather is warm, stop by early to make a reservation to be seated outside.
Trattoria Zio Gigi: The appetizers are the superstars here. Amazingly cheap, but good. When I take my small group tours to Italy here, they prefer the seafood. Go on any night but Sunday, and you'll be treated to the opera-singing server.
Il Latini: The place to go if you like to eat, and eat a lot. We went with a small group of travelers and we had a blast. Everything is served family style. We once counted 27 different courses! The regular price is about 45 euros per person and is only for very hungry travelers.
Trebbio: The place to go for Florentine steak at a reasonable price. I like the relaxed atmosphere. It feels like sitting in a Tuscan villa. Whenever we go on our small group tours to Italy, we usually like to have our final meal in Florence here.
Mercato Centrale: Recently opened, the top floor of this bustling market has been opened with a variety of restaurants that will give diners an almost tapas-like approach to Italian food.
For more information about my small group tours to Italy, see www.travelingprofessor.com