A city of art, history, culture, and gastronomy, Florence is an idyllic Italian destination for international travelers, and especially those interested in exploring local flavors and cuisine. No matter your preference, the Tuscan capital offers a range of delicious choices to surprise your palate, from unique street foods to elegant, fine dining experiences.
The quality of Florence’s dining scene is undeniable, so it’s not surprising that many of the city’s restaurants are recommended by the Michelin Guide and other prestigious publications. And as a merit for offering the most unique and unforgettable dining experiences, 6 of these restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars.
Want live a particularly special Florentine dining experience? Check out our guide to navigating Michelin restaurants in Florence below and get a taste of the dolce vita.
Michelin Restaurants in Florence with One Star
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura
Massimo Bottura and Gucci are two names that simply can’t go unnoticed. So, it is not surprising that the Gucci Osteria, a Massimo Bottura restaurant run by Mexican chef Karime Lopez, received a Michelin star just one year after opening.
Gucci Osteria presents contemporary and international cuisine in which the chef reflects her international experiences, while making sure to highlight a strong Italian influence. In addition to the a la carte menu, the Osteria offers the following tasting menus:
• 5-Course Breve Viaggio in Osteria
• 7-Course I Nostri Souvenirs
• 9-Course Le Nostre Nuove Memorie
To experience all of what Gucci Osteria has to offer, book online through their website here.
Chic Nonna di Vito Mollica
Housed inside the Corte degli Imperatori of the Palazzo Portinari, Chic Nonna boasts art and elegance, with a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. It is considered one of the most romantic restaurants in Florence, making it a great spot for anniversaries or other special occasions.
Vito Mollica, the executive chef, offers a carefully curated menu that mixes traditional flavors with haute cuisine, always using seasonal ingredients of exceptional quality. Chic Nonna’s menu is dominated by seafood-based dishes like candele di Gragnano with ristretto di scoglio and scampi marinati, or linguine with arselle and caviale oscietra royal. In addition to it’s a la carte menu, the restaurant also features two tasting experiences, in traditional and vegetarian formats.
You can book your table online via Chic Nonna’s website.
Insider’s tip: Traveling to other cities in addition to Florence? Check out our guide to the best Michelin Star restaurants around Italy!
Borgo San Jacopo
Located in the exclusive Hotel Lungarno, Borgo San Jacopo offers a sophisticated ambiance on the banks of the Arno River and is considered a must-visit restaurant in Florence by the Michelin guide.
Chef Claudio Mengoni features creative cuisine where colors, flavors, and shapes stand out. Among his creations, we can find delicious dishes such as risotto with pecorino from Pienza, chicory, saffron, and Chianina meatballs, or suckling pig wrapped in porchetta with salsify, shallots and Dijon mustard. For dessert, don’t miss the raspberry mousse with rosehip, and crispy hazelnut biscuit.
We recommend reserving well in advance here.
Il Palagio
Sophisticated and refined, Il Palagio represents classic Italia in both its design and cuisine.
Located in the palazzo della Gherardesca, Il Palagio’s menu is carefully created each season in order to use seasonal, fresh, and high-quality ingredients. Chef Paolo Lavezzini delights his diners with a wide selection of wines and delicate traditional Italian dishes with high-quality elaboration. Standouts from the a la carte menu include dishes like Livornese cockerel agnolotti with Parmigiano Reggiano and fine black truffle, or a tender beef fillet crusted with farmyard livers, Tuscan cured ham, Vin Santo sauce, and more black truffle.
We also highly recommend its two tasting menu options. Book your experience through Il Palagio’s website.
Michelin Restaurants in Florence with Two Stars
Santa Elisabetta
Housed inside the Brunelleschi Hotel in the unique and historical Torre della Pagliazza, Santa Elisabetta is today one of Florence’s best, as demonstrated by its two Michelin stars.
Offering an intimate and cozy atmosphere with only seven tables, Santa Elisabetta represents all the creativity, imagination, and experience associated with chef Rocco de Santis. It stands out for being minimalist, essential, and pure, as the chef uses a single ingredient as the protagonist of each dish and two or three to support it. Among its offerings, we can find the following 3 tasting menus:
• 5-Course – Tracce Di Innovazione
• 7-Course In-Contaminazione
• 9-Course Chef Experience
To experience Santa Elisabetta’s flavorful cuisine, reserve beforehand through their site.
Michelin Restaurants in Florence with Three Stars
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Having 3 Michelin stars means a restaurant is exceptional, and its dishes are worth a trip just to try them. Without a doubt, Enoteca Pinchiorri has these attributes and many more that make it one of the best restaurants in Italy.
The ambiance of the Enoteca is refined and luxurious, designed to create an intimate spectacle where Riccardo Monco is not only the chef, but the artist; while his cuisine can be characterized as innovative, it also pays homage to classic roots, featuring touches of the Tuscan territory’s traditions.
Enoteca Pinchiorri additionally has an extensive collection of exceptional Italian and international wines, which we highly recommend trying out.
To experience Florence’s only 3 Michelin star restaurant, book well in advance on Enoteca Pinchiorri’s website.
Want to make even more delicious memories on your trip? Join one of our unforgettable food tours in Florence!
Yareli is a Dominican travel writer based in the beautiful city of Lucca, Italy. Traveling and exploring every corner of Tuscany are her passions. She enjoys trying new flavors while traveling. As well as sharing her travel experiences through her blog Wandering and Tasting and Instagram @wanderingandtasting.