Most people know that Florence is where the Renaissance started. It’s a stunning city with many museums dedicated to the arts and sculptures of that period. However, while it is historically, culturally, and artistically important, it’s also Italian.
Italians are passionate about many things in life, particularly fashion, wine, and food. You only have to look at the array of products on offer in the main markets of Florence to appreciate how strong their love affair with food is.
Florence, like so many other parts of Italy, has a selection of traditional dishes. These generally date back to when the country was poor and the average person struggled to feed themselves. The answer was to make simple dishes from local ingredients.
That tradition continues today and is why any food market in Florence, Italy, has an abundance of local fruits and vegetables.
The most common foods
Modern Florence cuisine is a mixture of the traditional and of dishes inherited from the surrounding Tuscan villages. If you look solely at Florentine food, then answering “What food is Florence, Italy is known for?” is as simple as Florentine steak.
The steak must be from the local Chianina cattle. Other traditional Florentine foods include Ribollita soup, Florentine tripe, and Lampredotto sandwiches.
If you’re visiting a typical Florentine restaurant you should order one of the following:
Pappardelle al ragù di Cinghiale
This is pasta accompanied by a rich sauce that uses wild boar. Ideally, the boar will have been hunted locally, a tradition that continues even today. The sauce has tomatoes and herbs, ensuring the rich flavour of the boar is properly enhanced.
Schiacciata Toscana
You’ll find this sold by many street vendors throughout Florence. It’s a savoury flatbread made with flour, olive oil, salt, and rosemary. It doesn’t sound amazing but try it, you’ll be amazed by the flavour.
Panino col Lampredotto
In true Florence style, this is an open sandwich. It uses a piece of fresh bread which is often dipped in the cooking sauce. The topping is Lampredotto, which is made from the fourth stomach compartment of cows. In other words, it’s a little like a tripe.
The Lampredotto is accompanied by a sauce made with vinegar, anchovies, and parsley. You may also find variants with cheese or vegetables. It’s sold everywhere across the city, especially at food trucks.
Ribollita
This is generally eaten as a starter. It’s a soup made with stale bread and vegetables, including black cabbage, savoy cabbage, and beans.
These are all grown locally and this used to be referred to as peasants soup. It’s surprisingly flavourful.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina
This T-bone steak is from the local Chianina cattle and is surprisingly flavourful and tender. It’s usually cooked rare, giving it a pink centre and a buttery texture. It doesn’t need any accompaniment.
Thanks to Florence’s long history there are many different meals and snacks in the area. The only way to really appreciate them and decide which is right for you is to try them all! That will take some time!
Do you have a favourite Florentine food I haven’t mentioned? Let me know about it using the comment box below.