5 places to eat lunch in Florence, Italy

Here, a list and little blurb about 5 restaurants I would go back to for lunch…. oh yeah! I already have!

1. ZEB or zuppa e bollito is located in the San Niccolo quadrant of the city (Oltrarno). You can point and shoot: literally piece-meal your lunch together by selecting from the meats, cheeses, sides, soups, entrees and dessert made just that day. One day I went and had meatballs and stuffed tomatoes… another day I had squash soup, a pile of bread and a token glass of vino…

2. Look for Da Vinaterria—it is right next to the little church Dante was married in (near the museum of his life/home)—you can walk into a little door and choose a sandwich or grab a stool near their alley-side window. Order a mean bowl of ribollita and a 2 euro glass of wine.

3. This stand-up and eat street-side window—I Fratellini vini del Chianti—has been mentioned in numerous travel sites and videos. It is inexpensive, delicious, authentic and a standard pit-stop when guests visit (see pic). Who wouldn’t think it was cool to order an Italian panini and wine from a window in the heart of bustling Florence?

4. James and I found Enoteca Coquinarius on one of our frolicking fridays in Florence—we found it by accident. And it was stuffed with people and the food was fantastic. Look close or you might miss it: it is tucked just cross the street from the Paperback Exchange (bookstore with English books)—just a block or two from the Duomo.

5. James and I have been to this restaurant on the Oltrarno a handful of times (including with guests). Despite the short pours (if you can, order a bottle of wine so you can pour your own glass!) and the lackluster service, the restaurant is always humming because the chef rocks. The food delivers (see pic below!). As does the atmosphere. Oh… and the price is reasonable too!

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