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In gastronomic terms, Florentine cuisine is often accorded as much reverence as Florentine art although quality does not come cheap in Florence. However there are some more affordable places in districts that maintain a local feel, such as Santa Croce and around Santo Spirito. Bare in mind that many restaurants in Florence will only serve full meals so you can't order just a pasta dish. It is also not a city where food comes cheap so be prepared to enjoy what the city has to offer but to leave the city a little lighter in the wallet. Hostaria del Bricco, 8r Via San Niccolò, 50100 Firenze (tel. 055.2345037). Tuscan restaurant in antique ambience. Prices medium to high. Fuoriporta, 10r Via Monte alle Croci, 50100 Firenze, (tel. 055.2342483). This is a famous winery located in front of one of the oldest doors of the primitive city walls of Florence. Her you can find a huge selection of regional wines and typical florentine food. As everything comes at a price expect to pay dearly for all you imbibe. Benvenuto, Via De' Neri, 47, (tel. 055.214833). On the outside it looks more like a delicatessen but inside it is a wonderful trattoria . Its quality can be judged by the number of people constantly waiting outside for a table. It is also reasdonably priced. Alla Vecchia Bettola, 34r Via Luigi Ariosto, 50100 Firenze, (tel. 055.224158). This is one of the best places in Florence to taste a real Florentine steak "BISTECCA ALLA FIORENTINA" , the inch thick rarely cooked slabs of meat for which the city is famous. It is reasonably priced being a family run affair. Ristorante Ricchi, 8/9r Piazza Santo Spirito, 50100 Firenze, (tel. 055.215864). Florence is not known for its seafood but this is one of the few places in the city where it is worth trying. It is also enjoyable to sit outside in the summer is this fantastic square. Medium to high prices. Ristorante Natalino, 17r Borgo Degli Albizi, 50100 Firenze, (tel. 055.289404). One of the oldest restaurants around in a beautiful setting. Medium Prices. Fiaschetteria Balducci, 24r Via Marconi, 50132 Firenze, (tel. 055.5002332). This restaurant has been run by the same family for years and does good lunches and dinners. It is also probably one of the cheapest places around. Trattoria Coco Lezione, Via Parioncino 26r, (tel 055 28 71 78), open Monday to Saturday. This is a cheerful place with home-cooking that is cheaply priced. Ribollita (reboiled) is the house speciality. One of the strangest thing is that they don't serve coffee. Cantinetta Antinori, Piazza degli Antinori 3, (tel 055 29 22 34) open daily, for lunch only Saturday & Sunday. This might be the place for you! It offers a reasonable meal accompanied by some fine wines although the good selection of wine make it a little expensive. Osteria de' Benci, Via de' Benci 13r, (tel 055 234 49 23), open Monday to Saturday. You cannot go wrong with this low key establishment that serves up decent well prepared food and slabs of bistecca alla fiorentina at moderate prices. |