Italian cuisine is known for its flavorful, elegant dishes made with just a few simple tasty ingredients. Unlike in other countries where you can get most of the countries food all over, in the different regions in Italy, there are very typical food that come from this area that you need to try while you’re there. With such diversity in dishes among the country, what you order in Florence restaurants may not be the same as what you order in Roman restaurants! Find out what the differences are between the regions and what you should order in Florence.
Regional Italian Cuisine | What to Expect
In the Piedmont region in the foot of the alps where Turin is located, it is most famous for its white truffles. Whereas the Emilia Romagna region in Northern Italy stands for Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar where there are more varieties of these famous ingredients than you can imagine. Now everyone knows Italy is famous for its delicious pizza, the traditional Italian pizza comes from Campania in southern Italy. And finally, Tuscan cuisine is simple and delicious, using beans and game meat from the region. A dinner table in Florence wouldn’t be complete without crusty, unsalted bread. If you have the good fortune of eating in Florence restaurants, here are some ideas for simply irresistible meals.
What to order in Florence Restaurants
#1 Florentine Steak
Bistecca alla Fiorentina is the Florentine answer to the T-bone steak. The meat is cooked with a hard sear on the outside, no more than medium rare on the inside.
#2 Bread Soup
Ribollita is perhaps the most famous Florentine dish, a hearty bread soup with beans and cabbage. “Ribollita” means “cooked again”, so all ingredients have plenty of time to meld together.
#3 Tuscan Salad
Bread is also the main ingredient in Panzanella, a Tuscan bread salad with tomatoes and basil dressed with a vinaigrette.
#4 Fish Stew
Cacciucco is a fish stew cooked in broth with various vegetables such as tomatoes, leeks or squash. Traditionally, the dish is cooked with 5 types of fish, one for each letter C in the name.
#5 Cured Meat
Prosciutto Toscano DOP is a specially cured ham with a dark rind and special arched shape. The meat is dark red and slightly marbled.
#6 Wild Boar
Cinghiale con Funghi e Polenta is braised or stewed wild boar with mushrooms and cornmeal polenta. A true regional delicacy!
#7 Potato Pancakes
Even potato pancakes taste better in Italy. Tortello di Patate is a crispy potato cake, often served as a side dish.
#8 Pasta Casserole
Casserola alla Fiorentina is a pasta casserole baked with sausage in a spinach and mushroom sauce.
#9 Tuscan Tripe
Trippa alla Fiorentina, or Florentine tripe, pays homage to the frugal traditions of the region. The tripe is cooked with herbs and served with mashed potatoes.
#10 Cold bean Salad
Tonno e fagioli is a cold salad of white beans cooked with garlic and sage and tossed with tuna.
#11 Pasta with Rabbit
Pappardelle sulla lepre, pasta with rabbit sauce, is served by putting the sauce on the plate first and mixing it gently with the pappardelle.
#12 Cookies
Cantucci e Vino: Cantucci, also known as biscotti, are twice-baked, long cookies with a crunchy consistency. Perfect for dipping in coffee or – traditionally – in Vin Santo, an Italian dessert wine.
#13 Fruit Cake
Panforte (“strong bread”) is a rich fruit cake with nuts and spices more reminiscent of a confection than a cake.
#14 Pastry Cake
Torta della Nonna, the Grandmother’s Cake, is a sweet treat of thin pastry filled with vanilla and lemon custard and topped with pine nuts.
#15 Tuscan Wine
Brunello di Montalcino is a full-bodied Tuscan red wine with notes of cherry, chocolate and blackberry. It pairs perfectly with meat or game dishes.
#16 Red Wine
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is sometimes called ‘the king of wines’. Made in a small part of Tuscany, this red wine is perfect with food or enjoyed on its own.
On your No Carb Left Behind Tour of Florence restaurants, remember the famous Italian director Federico Fellini: “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” Buon Appetito!