Also, Italian restaurants make me cry with the treasure hunt that it is to find the right website link or updated/regularly active social media profiles.

I know that sounds really bad, but I’m only one person (of the human sort) with only so many hours in the day. I’d hope people would appreciate this is all done in my free time.

Hope you enjoyed my TedTalk, here’s the SEO tea you came for:

Osteria dell’Enoteca- The crew from Enoteca Pitti Gola and Cantina, aka the wine bar with the longest name ever, has a whole Osteria in the former Santo Graal space on Via Romana and it’s delectable. Most of all, their wine list is superb. Juicy grilled steaks, perfect roast potatoes, soups, charcuterie, fresh pastas in a swanky chic setting is what you can expect. Open also on Pasquetta (Easter Monday)  Address: Via Romana 70R Reserve: Phone: 055 228 6018 or info@osteriadellenoteca.com http://osteriadellenoteca.com/

Club Culinario Toscano da Osvaldo- Club Culinario does straightforward, unpretentious soul food and I think everyone should eat there at least once during their Florence love affair, if not many times. They won’t be doing a fixed menu, but some specials involving lamb for sure. You won’t be able to sleep at night without a portion of their fried beef and potato croquettes. Address: Piazza dei Peruzzi, 3R, Phone: 055-217919

Trattoria Cesarino- A simple neighborhood gem in Sant’Ambrogio doing fresh truffle pastas, grilled Florentine steak, Tuscan rustic vegetable soups and delicious appetizers like fried artichokes and cured meat & sheep’s milk cheese plates. No special menu but you can find my review of them here.  Address:  VIA GIOVAN BATTISTA NICCOLINI 16 Phone: +39  055 247 9169 Website: http://www.trattoriacesarino.it/en

Acquacotta- This traditional, unfussy and sweet trattoria is usually open on Sunday’s so they might be open on Easter Sunday as well! Via dei Pilastri 51R (Sant’Ambrogio)

Il Barrino- Located in a very Florentine quarter of Beccaria, Il Barrino is a cozy casual locals spot for traditional Tuscan with seasonal gourmet twists (think fried pork chops and stuffed artichokes). The have all the staple meaty mains and rustic pastas like pici with ragu or stuffed potato tortelli. Open on Pasquetta Monday only for dinner. Address: Via Gioberti, 71R Phone:055 660565 http://www.ilbarrinofirenze.it/

Il Magazzino- One of the best unique yet traditional trattorias in town, and yes they are known for their offal things which you can find detailed here on Vice Munchies by yours truly,  Il Magazzino guarantees a memorable meal even for non-offal enthusiasts in one of Florence’s most darling squares. I can’t seem to find better gnocchi in town than here and their pici pasta is pretty tasty too. They won’t be doing a special menu but will have a couple Pasqua themed items off the menu. Address: Piazza della Passera, 2-3 Phone:055 215969

T’Amero Pasta Bar-  Trendy fresh pasta bar in the heart of Piazza Santo Spirito (sit outside if weather is nice) This space is in a former garage workshop with eclectic local art. Ideal for those just wanting to crush some pasta with a couple spritzes in the square. Address: Piazza Santo Spirito, 11r Phone:055 282596 http://www.tamero.it/

Cibreo- For serious culinarians. While they don’t have a special menu, rest assured that most things are reliably delicious and made with quality intent. The philosophy is Tuscan soul food, so expect something hearty but with classic service to match.

All Cibreo branded eateries on the Via De’ Macci/Sant’Ambrogio corridor will be open (the trattoria, ristorante and the cafe’.) I personally would go for the caffe for the people watching value, the trattoria for simplicity and Teatro del Sale for the experience. Address: Via Andrea del Verrocchio, 8r (well, just for the Ristorante.) Phone:055 234 1100 http://www.edizioniteatrodelsalecibreofirenze.it/ CLOSED MONDAY

Il Santo Bevitore will be open too on both days. Lovely ambiance, decent food, small plates kind of modern wine bar type of restaurant. Address: Via di Santo Spirito, 64/66 r, Phone: 055 211264

Here are some add-on picks as this guide gets updated annually: 

Regina Bistecca- Swanky steakhouse and martini bar sort of place. A sort of league of its own in terms in terms of it being neither truly Florentine or touristy, but Italians with money certainly go in addition to well-heeled visitors. Quality meat without a doubt. 

Il Vezzo- a bit more modern gourmet, trendy decor but relaxed in the San Lorenzo quarter.

Antico Ristorante Paoli 1827- One of Florence’s oldest restaurants with lots of charming Tuscan decor. Reliable food and service, with time capsule vibes albeit somewhat contrived. 

I’13 Gobbi- Very discovered by tourists but it used to be an institution for locals. Decent food and atmosphere, not my first choice to be totally honest unless in cases like this where no other seats to be found. But you won’t eat badly, you won’t eat exceptionally either. 

L’Ortone- What a modern Tuscan trattoria in Florence with intentionally sourced ingredients should be. Highly recommend whether a holiday option or not. 

Il Pizzaiuolo- In a Tuscan city full of quality Neapolitan pizza options (we really have a great pizza scene here) Il Piazzaiuolo is a true, reliable stalwart for various pizzeria classics. 

Ara’ (Sant’Ambrogio)- Sicilian food made with exceptional regional delicacies (bronte pistachio, heritage grains grown near Mt. Etna, etc) with a modern gourmet approach and minimalist seating area, some patio seating for al fresco. 

Hallasan- Korean BBQ (full disclosure I haven’t been yet, but I’ve heard many of great things I just haven’t had time. So please report back if you have been) 

Akira Back at the W Hotel- Upscale special occassion Pan Asian with banger wines. Open on Easter. Check out my short video review. Closed Pasquetta

Dim Sum- One of my all-time favorites for dumplings and noodles in Florence. Open on Easter Sunday. Closed Pasquetta

Shiraz Ristorante- Fantastic Persian food with warm service in Sant’Ambrogio with a colorful underground cantina dining cave feel. More on this short video review. Open on Easter Sunday. Closed Pasquetta

Massimo Bottura’s Osteria at Gucci Garden (open both Sunday and Monday- tasting menu avail), Cucina Conviviale (Monday closed at lunch but open lunch & dinner on Easter) and Ristorante Tehran for authentic Persian food in the center in case you’re craving international flavor as well as Ararat (Georgian and Armenian).

Trattoria Cesarino always a guarantee as an opening on a holiday or Sundays (review here)

Signorvino wine shop with a nothing special restaurant but consistent that gives Eataly vibes, Coquinarius for simple wine bistro fare (boards and gourmet pastas, namely) a stone’s throw from the Duomo with a delightful wine selection, Osteria de’ Pazzi- fun and simple osteria (non-fussy traditional) near Santa Croce (closed at pasquetta),

Trattoria Sergio Gozzi- This iconic gem in San Lorenzo will be open for dinner on Pasquetta (closed on Easter!), Buca dell’Orafo- one of my favorite underground restaurants off the Ponte Vecchio (closed at lunch on Pasquetta), Il Locale for swank craft cocktails and modernist dining amongst frescoes in a former Medici palace or their sister restaurant Cestello for upscale seafood in a clubby setting, Zeb for some of the best damn pasta of your life in San Niccolo’, Giotto in case you’re craving a pizza pie near the train station.

For something a little different in Florence, check out:

Cipriano in San Frediano for chef-style pizza who came from Il Vecchio e il Mare (possibly my favorite pizzeria in Florence’s center) Raices if you want tacos on Easter, Osmo Cucina if you want something a little haute and splashy with a special Easter lunch menu, make the trek to Raaro for well-studied cocktails with a focus on low/no-ABV and small plates.

Outside Florence in Castelfiorentino, you don’t want to miss Corale, Easter menu HERE. Chef Simone Cipriani from (closed) Essenziale consulted the new community-forward dining space and oversees the menu and kitchen.

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