Small Group Travel Blog: Expert Travel Tips, Destination Guides & Tour Advice

Welcome to the Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor travel blog, featuring expert travel tips, destination guides, cruise advice, airfare strategies, packing suggestions, and first-hand insights from more than 17 years of planning small group tours.

Since 2009, we have helped solo travelers, couples, and friends enjoy adults-only small group tours and luxury river cruises with quality hotels, expert local guides, thoughtful pacing, and personal service.

Explore articles on Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Peru, Newfoundland, Paris, Normandy, Santa Fe, Canada, Italy, and AmaWaterways river cruises — then view our current Small Group Tours and River Cruises.

29Sep

The Best Places to Eat in Florence Italy

Best Tuscan Restaurants in Florence, Italy

When traveling on The Traveling Professor’s small group tours to Italy, one of the highlights is dining at authentic Tuscan restaurants in Florence. From historic trattorias serving Steak Florentine to bustling markets with gourmet bites, these are the top places to eat in Florence for a true Tuscan food experience.

Il Latini – Via dei Palchetti, 6/r

If you want a true Tuscan feast in Florence, Il Latini delivers. Known for its generous portions and family-style dining, this spot starts with Parma ham and can include up to 26 courses—ravioli, Tuscan beans, sausages, roasted chicken, crostini, and more. Perfect for groups, it’s a classic Florence dining experience that’s as social as it is delicious.

Mercato Centrale – Via dell'Ariento

The Mercato Centrale in Florence is a must for food lovers. On the ground floor, you’ll find fresh local ingredients, meats, cheeses, and bread. Upstairs, open late into the night, is a vibrant Florence food court offering everything from vegetarian burgers to Sicilian arancini. While it’s more expensive than typical trattorias, it’s perfect for sampling multiple Florentine street food options in one visit.

Trattoria Tito – Via S. Gallo, 112/R

For a lively, local restaurant in Florence with personality, head to Trattoria Tito. Recommended by locals, it’s famous for playful banter with guests while serving up authentic Tuscan dishes. Just don’t ask for meatballs with pasta—they’ll remind you it’s not Italian tradition. A fun, flavorful, and authentic Florence restaurant.

Trattoria ZaZa – Mercato Centrale Square

Located near the market, Trattoria ZaZa is one of the best places to eat in Florence for fresh, authentic Tuscan food. The appetizer sampler includes salami, fennel-seed sausage, truffle omelets, and crostini. Popular mains include pappardelle with wild boar sauce, ribollita soup, and rosemary steak with potatoes. Finish with gelato for the ultimate Florence food tour experience.

Join The Traveling Professor in Florence
On our small group tours to Florence, dining at these top Tuscan restaurants is always a highlight. Whether you crave traditional Florentine steak, hearty soups, or market-fresh pasta, Florence offers the best of Tuscan cuisine in every bite.

See our related blog post on Best Places to Eat in Rome

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Who Writes the Small Group Tour Blog?

Professor Steve Solosky, The Traveling Professor, is the founder of Small Group Tours by The Traveling Professor, operating since 2009. A former college professor and author of The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Paris, Steve has planned and led small group tours throughout Europe, Canada, South America, and beyond. His travel expertise has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, WCBS Radio, and The New York Times Travel Show.

Each article is written or reviewed from the perspective of a working tour operator who plans real itineraries, works with local guides and hotels, and helps travelers prepare for successful small group trips.

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