Top 10 culinary specialities in Florence

It’s no secret that Italian cuisine is particularly rich and appreciated around the world. It’s one of the most popular cuisines in the world for its varied and beautifully presented dishes. Today, Navaway takes you to a region of Italy called Florence, in Tuscany. If you know Florence for its cult and historic monuments such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore and the Galileo Museum, take the time between two visits to sample an excellent dish with an Italian flavour. Typical Florentine dishes are a must.

What to eat in Florence

1. Coccoli

Are you the gourmet type who enjoys small pastries filled with cheese? Coccoli (an adorable name that means cuddly in Italian) is for you. Wrapped in a layer of puff pastry, the smell of creamy cheese gradually fills your nostrils as you bite into this little brioche. Florentines usually like to top this dish with a few pieces of prosciutto ham. Usually eaten as a starter, it also makes a great dessert for those who prefer savoury to sweet.

2. Truffle gnocchi

Truffles are already an absolutely, indisputably, extremely good food, so just imagine what you’d get if you mixed them with pasta! Gnocchi with truffles is an emblematic dish of Italian gastronomy, and the Florence region is no exception. Truffles have the ability to add flavour and taste to the dish, and their texture works very well with the softness of the gnocchi. You’ll feel like you’re on cloud nine!

3. Peposo

Many would agree that this dish is an ode to beef. It’s a recipe from Tuscany that’s best enjoyed in the evening after a long, hard day at work. Where did it come from? Workers used to cook this quick and easy meal in the 15th century during the construction of Florence’s most emblematic historical monument, the Duomo, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It’s a dish known for bringing energy and courage. One bite and you’ll go right back to the time of the Italian Renaissance.

4. Cantuccini

In a few words: easy, quick and tasty. That’s how we’d describe Florence’s famous dry biscuit with whole almonds. A little local wine (we’ll talk about it a little later in the ranking) is the Italian secret, and Florentines love to finish their meal with this little crunchy touch. If your taste buds are alert enough, you’ll soon be able to taste the slight lemon or orange zest that permeates this unique cake. There’s no doubt about it, these sesame pastes are excellent.

5. Ribbolita

How about a little soup for lunch? A light, low-calorie dish that won’t weigh you down too much for the visit that awaits you afterwards. Ribbolita is made with cabbage (cavolo nero, also known as black cabbage, which is very popular in Tuscany), carrots, potatoes, white beans, the famous juicy Italian tomatoes, and a few slices of fresh Tuscan bread straight from the local bakery. Ribbolita’s heavy appearance is due to the fact that it has been re-cooked and boiled several times, hence the term Ribolita, which means brought to the boil. You learn something new every day, don’t you?

6. Bistecca alla Fiorentina

What would you say to a good Florentine steak served with tripe? This dish, called bistecca alla fiorentina, is made with red meat and carefully prepared on a grill, giving it a crispy barbecue flavour that’s absolutely perfect. Cooked over charcoal in an oak wood fire, the dish is particularly popular in summer. Rather difficult to cook at home, given the equipment needed for cooking, it is easier to enjoy it in a restaurant. And in Florence, you’ll find it on every street corner with great difficulty!

7. Schiacciata

Yes, it’s a classic, but you have to admit that it deserves its place in this ranking. This Tuscan bread, served as an aperitif with a few slices of meat, accompanied by a small fresh salad and a glass of wine, is absolutely divine and enchanting. The schiacciata is particularly crispy and you can easily taste the olive oil used in its preparation. This is the kind of food you can enjoy in the middle of the street, while walking and admiring the shops, little stalls and monuments that Florence has to offer.

8. Lampredotto

It’s like a big burger stuffed with the world’s favourite foods. Lampredotto is one of the recipes for Florentine street food made with meat from local farms. What’s behind the two slices of bread, you might ask? Beef tripe (which is very popular in Florence) cooked in a vegetable broth with various herbs. If you like, you can also add the green lampredotto sauce to your sandwich to bring out the flavour of the meat even more.

9. Trippa alla Fiorentina

You’ve no idea what this is? Quite simply, it’s a tripe-based dish, cooked with giblets, that’s a big hit with Florentines. It’s a rather old recipe that uses tomatoes (a much-used food in Italy, we’re not telling you) and extra-virgin olive oil. While it’s cooking, this dish goes very well with a glass of white or red wine, depending on your preference. With a little celery and a few slices of carrot, Trippa Alla Fiorentina is exquisite and slightly crunchy.

10. Vin Santo

Let’s finish our tasting list with a grand cru: the sweet Italian wine associated with the Florence region. It’s a popular dessert wine that leaves an aftertaste of white grapes on your palate. A little tip: we recommend you try it with the little biscuits called cantuccini (mentioned earlier), the crunchy, sweet flavour is absolutely incredible on the palate. The amber colour of the wine gives it a lovely hue, and its slightly thick texture is enough to turn your stomach.