"Florence"

Florence flourished during the Renaissance as the symbol of elegance, art, culture and architecture in Italy. Two of the most important places to visit in Florence are probably Piazza del Duomo, with the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and the adjacent Giotto’s Bell Tower, and Piazza della Signoria, the latter being one of the oldest market squares and a wonderful place where you can admire some of the most beautiful Florentin architectural achievements, such as Palazzo Vecchio. Historically it was the political center of the Florentine Republic, while Piazza del Duomo was the religious one.

Food in Florence

1. Bistecca alla Fiorentina 

Of course, this list kicks off with Florence’s most famous dish, bistecca alla Fiorentina, or Florentine steak. It’s a large t-bone cut weighing anywhere from 1kg-4kg (2lb-8lb), fire-grilled, pink on the inside, seasoned with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon, and traditionally cooked over roasted chestnuts for a smoky flavour.

2. Tagliatelle funghi porcini e tartufo 

This dish can be found almost anywhere in Florence since it contains two delicious local ingredients, truffle and porcini mushrooms. Tagliatelle simply means cuts, since the pasta is thin, long and flatter than fettucine and can come is different sizes. The pasta is tossed in the mushroom sauce, with vegetables providing texture. The combination of these two mushrooms makes for a fantastically flavourful, yet simple dish.

3. Ribollita and pappa al pomodoro 

Literally translated as reheated, this traditional Tuscan dish is a soup made with stale bread, tomatoes, beans (usually cannellini) and any other in-season vegetables, along with herbs. Pappa al pomodoro is another dish using the same ingredients, but served mashed together, and cold, similar to the Spanish gazpacho but less liquid. What started as a dish of the people during the medieval period, using anything in the house, is now one of Florence’s most hearty comfort foods.