It may be steps from the Uffizi, one of the city’s biggest tourist draws, but this ever-crowded squeeze of a restaurant with bare wood tables and memorabilia-stacked walls, has many local fans; the ‘no pizza, no cappuccino, no ice, no takeaway’ confirms that it hasn’t sold its soul. Exemplary classics such as hearty ribollita, pappardelle pasta with duck sauce, ‘peposo’ (a black pepper-spiked stew), baccalà alla Livornese (salt cod in tomato sauce) and sizzling deep-fried courgette flowers are served by cheerful, chatty waiters and there’s a lovely little terrace right on Piazza della Signoria for summer meals. Contact: 055 293045Prices: ££Reservations: Essential

Located meters away from the Piazza della Signoria, Vini e Vecchi Sapori (which means wine and old flavors, a nod to traditional Italian cuisine) is a wonderful family-owned bistro that serves authentic Italian food. They serve a wide variety of flavorsome dishes, from Caprese salads (fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil), to typical pasta-based recipes and steaks. It is a small establishment and visitors flock here by the dozen, so reservations are a must.

There are plenty of tourist traps firmly camped out in Florence’s main squares, which makes Vini e Vecchi Sapori a bit of an anomaly. It’s the safest (and best) bet near Piazza della Signoria for both lunch and dinner. This old tavern features walls full of vintage photographs and marble-topped wooden tables pushed close together, and is filled with loud Italians catching up over Tuscan staples.

Vini e Vecchi Sapori- (description riffed from my essential 38 on Eater) A family-run stone’s throw from the Uffizi Gallery makes its intentions clear on the handwritten menu outside: no pizza, no ice, no cappuccino, and no steak. This osteria serves traditional Tuscan food, and is known for its pappardelle in duck ragu, fried meat bracciole rifatta dressed in richly flavored tomato and herbs, fragrant saffron pasta tossed with zucchini flowers and a touch of cream, and meat-based mains like tomato-stewed cod and rolled, stuffed pork. This soulful Florentine institution is popular- there are outdoor tables (hopefully you get one of the tables smack dab in Piazza della Signoria!!!) so make sure to book in advance!.

Allan_gaskin also reports that they saw a tweet that said Bourdain ate at Vini e Vecchi Sapori during his visit; this osteria is known for its pasta dishes and local wine list. I did some serious digging to discover that Italian actress (and Argento’s mother) Daria Nicolodi, whom Tony thanked after filming, replied deeper in the thread ( source) to share that Tony had tripe ( Trippa Fiorentina). Given that their Facebook page suggests they use hand-written menus with notes like “No pizza, no ice, no cappuccino, no spritz, no ketchup, fuck cancer,” this seems like a place Tony would have enjoyed.

Il Vecchio e il Mare – Named after the famous Hemingway novel, this pizzeria and fish restaurant brings the taste of Naples to Florence. Chef Mario Cipriano has been making pizzas since he was 16 and pays close attention to ingredients, working closely with a mill to source the flour for the dough–which is a bit drier than the typical Neapolitan style–and using slow food presidium products. The restaurant is one of the few to have an entire section dedicated to gluten free pizzas–which are the best versions we’ve found in Florence–along with an astonishing 100-plus label wine list.

Around the corner from Piazza della Signoria, one of Florence’s most scenic squares, is this soulful, rowdy trattoria with plenty of heart. Everything on the menu is delicious, but make sure you try the fried courgette flowers when they're in season, served deep-fried as a starter or in the signature primo (first course) saffron cream paccheri pasta. Enjoy glimpses of the family chefs stirring massive cauldrons of ribollita and duck ragu in the kitchen.

This trattoria tucked away behind Piazza della Signoria is one of my favourite dining spots in the city, one I try to visit every time I’m back in Tuscany. It’s the place I take whoever I want to impress. This family-run gem, with simple decor and only a handful of tables, founded by the father Mario and now masterfully helmed by his son Tommaso (the nicest maitre), is a cherished spot for both locals and global visitors.

Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori: This tiny hole-in-the-wall, is located near Piazza della Signoria and some of the city's biggest tourist attractions. Delicious and reasonably priced the food remains excellent and authentic. On their hand-written menu, there's a small box of rules, written in English: "NO PIZZA. NO STEAK. NO ICE. NO TAKEAWAY. NO CAPPUCCINO." Yes, these are rules for tourists.

You can find Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori near the Piazza della Signoria and Florence’s iconic Uffizi Gallery. They offer a quintessential Tuscan dining experience that is perfect for lunch before or after touring the local sites. The ambiance at Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori is warm with rustic wooden furniture, cozy lighting, and walls adorned with vintage wine bottles.

Around since 2005 and a place you will find on every "Top Restaurants in Florence" list and for good reason. This family-run restaurant is small, so definitely plan on making a reservation, so you can be sure to taste their traditionally wonderful Italian dishes. What else is there to say when something is so simply wonderful?

In Florence, – as with many other popular cities – it seems that the more central the restaurant, the more touristic the trap. But a happy exception is Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori tucked behind the Piazza della Signoria. It is a small space with great energy and some even greater dishes emerging from the kitchen.

It took my third visit to finally secure a reservation at Vini e Vecchi Sapori. I would recommend calling in at 10 am local time, or at least that is what they recommended to me. The restaurant is very small and cosy and serves excellent Tuscan fare with a casual feel.

This small trattoria near Piazza della Signoria is often fully booked, and for good reason. Vini e Vecchi Sapori serves traditional Tuscan food without any concessions to modern trends. The menu is written out by hand, and the kitchen does only what it can manage well.

This cozy family-run spot that’s been a local favorite for ages. Here, it’s all about simple, down-to-earth dishes that showcase the best of the region’s culinary traditions. Fresh, local ingredients take the spotlight, giving each bite a taste of authenticity.

Savor a delightful Tuscan dinner at a traditional trattoria like Trattoria Mario or Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori. Cap off the evening with a creamy gelato from Gelateria dei Neri, enjoying it amidst the timeless atmosphere of Piazza della Signoria.

Ambiance: This small and charming osteria feels like stepping into a local’s kitchen. It’s intimate, with only a handful of tables, and exudes a relaxed, authentic vibe. Cuisine: Traditional Tuscan dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

(www.vinievecchisapori.it) While is can be difficult to find and hard to get in, the food is fabulous. Hard to get in for dinner unless you make reservations in advance. If you cannot get in for dinner try lunch.

Osteria Santo Spirito – This restaurant has been made famous thanks to social media. I came here with a friend not expecting much, but I was pleased with my walnut tortellini dish and the pici cacio e pepe.

Vini e Vecchi Sapori: small restaurant, hard to find- off of Piazza Signoria. Amazing food and fun to walk home thru piazzas at night with all the vendors selling gadgets, etc.

Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori, a favorite of our Senior Product Manager Nick Paradise that typically refreshes its menu daily, often offers a great bowl of ribollita as well.

Popular Osteria Vini E Vecchi Sapori is a tiny eatery located only a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery, which is a favorite amongst locals and tourists alike.