Eating in Florence: The Places That Actually Deliver
It's easy to get Florence wrong. I learned that the hard way on my first morning when I tried to grab a quick espresso at a tiny bar near Piazza della Signoria, only to be handed a tiny cup of coffee that cost €2.50 and left me feeling like I’d just been scammed. Turns out, that’s how it’s done here—no big cups, no sugar, just a strong, bitter shot to start the day. I quickly adjusted, but the real lesson was that Florence isn’t about rushing through the city; it’s about savoring every bite, every sip, every moment. My favorite meal so far has been at Trattoria Mario, tucked away on Via dei Macci, just a few steps from the Ponte Vecchio. I walked in on a Tuesday evening, and the owner, Mario, greeted me like I was a regular. The menu is handwritten on a chalkboard, and the prices are shockingly reasonable: €12 for the pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar pasta), €14 for the bistecca alla Fiorentina (a massive T-bone steak for two). I ordered the pappardelle, and the sauce was rich...