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Trattoria il Cibrèino
Request to sit outside on the patio to observe the rhythms of the Sant’Ambrogio neighborhood and the characters that define it. Portions are reasonable here and they’re known for their antipasto platter, which you could eat as a meal in itself. Think small ceramic plates pleasantly presented with a variety of bite-sized appetizers such as cured meats, marinated vegetables, chicken liver canapes and fresh ricotta, plus traditional hits like bowls of pappa al pomodoro and ribollita or rustic plates like chestnut-stuffed rabbit and meatballs slathered in a buttery tomato sauce rich in garlic. Save room for a sliver of their cheesecake with bitter orange compote or flourless chocolate cake.
Zeb
Pull up a chair at the counter and tuck into a decadent plate of stuffed pasta with fresh truffles shaved atop, along with a glass or two that the chef-owner personally picks for you after a quick chat. If pasta isn’t your thing, Zeb has plenty of other comforting options that hold true to its reputation as a soup and meat bistronomia.
Gune San Frediano
A quiet gem in Florence’s historically blue-collar San Frediano, Gune is known for its layered approach to finer Tuscan cuisine with a southern Basilicata flair, like baccala (salt cod stew) with peperoni cruschi (dried bell peppers) or pasta with Mediterranean sea urchin and Tuscan kale. Both a la carte and tasting menu options are available. They also have a bar next door with food from their restaurant if you’d prefer to dine in a cozy hideout setting.
Il Gusto di Xinge
A bit on the fringes of Florence’s historical center but worth the detour both in terms of cuisine and location. Il Gusto, parlayed from their flagship bao hole-in-the-wall, is a fusion of Chef Xin Ge Liu’s vision of dim sum drawing from both Tuscan influences and her childhood food memories in China. This hot spot runs a thoughtfully designed bar program and is perfect for solo travelers who enjoy a counter seat in front of an open kitchen.
Cucina
This cozy small-plates restaurant a short walk from Piazza Tasso is fit with a couple communal tables for those brave enough to sit next to fellow food-loving strangers. Dishes are unpretentious and rotate frequently based on the season, and sourdough breads are baked on site. Cucina’s produce-centric contemporary menu is complemented with world spices and niche ingredients like berbere spiced sausages and pasta spiked with Indian ginger.
Io Osteria Personale
This modern neighborhood restaurant of mostly two-top tables has a casual enough vibe that you won’t be brushing elbows with date diners. It offers a la carte and tasting menus with a minimalist yet fun approach to elevating Italian cuisine.
Gucci Osteria
An unforgettable tasting menu is overseen by Chef Massimo Bottura, smack dab in the middle of one of Florence’s most stunning and historical squares, Piazza della Signoria. Start with an aperitif from its bar next door and request to dine in the patio area with an early supper seating. As myriad flavors fly by, drawing from from Mexico and Japan, the home countries of co-Executive Chefs Karime López and Takahiko Kondo, you’ll watch the sun set on the Renaissance city. It's a great place to eat solo in Florence thanks to its casual patio dining space and interior decor that tends towards subtle chic over luxurious extravagance with large tables or romantic ambiance.
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Hero Image: © marco badiani/Il Gusto di Xinge
