There are plenty of Florence restaurants to choose from in the centre of the city. However, make sure you work your way off the main tourist piazzas to some of the side streets. You’ll certainly get much more for your money in the Florence restaurants if you wander off the beaten track a bit. Whilst the situation is improving, all too often, those restaurants in Florence that lie within the main tourist piazzas and streets still demand far too high a price for the most basic food.

One of our favourite places to eat out is definitely the Golden View restaurant and bar. www.goldenviewopenbar.com. One of the best restaurants in Florence and certainly one of the liveliest, the food here is great and the atmosphere is superb with plenty of live music on offer at the weekend. Be warned though – it’s a popular place with the locals, especially since it often has live music at weekends. It does get busy, even off season. It’s worth booking a table to avoid any disappointment. Ask for one by the window so that you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Ponte Vecchio during your meal! That way, you’ll not only enjoy some great food but you’ll also enjoy one of the best views on offer out of the restaurants in Florence!

Another one of our favourites is Cibreo, a wonderful restaurant on the Via del Verrocchio in Florence. The owners have expanded so that they now have a formal restaurant, more informal trattoria as well as a cafe. The restaurant offers a fine dining experience whilst still retaining a relaxed feel. The food is wonderful and the staff welcoming and generous. For those looking for something more informal, the trattoria next door offers delicious food in a more informal setting and at lower prices.