Must see restaurants in Santa Croce

Florentine chef Fabio Picchi is one of Florence's living treasures who steals the Sant'Ambrogio show with this eccentric, good-value, members-only club …

Luca Menoni's meat stall inside the Sant'Ambrogio covered market has been a favourite with locals since 1921 (his father first ran the business) and now…

Iconic Florentine chef Fabio Picchi draws on his past experience working in Japan to give Tuscan staples an oriental twist – chopsticks provided – at this…

The crowd spills out the door of this noisy Florentine thoroughbred, pride and joy of the Mazzanti family since 1991. Push your way to the tables at the…

Florentines can't get enough of the thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas oven-fired by master pizzaiolo (pizza chef) Giovanni Santarpia at his thoroughly…

Florentines swear by this pocket-sized sandwich bar opposite Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio. There is no fixed menu, rather an impossible-to-decide choice of…

This hipster cafe-bookshop – a hybrid dining-aperitivo address – cooks up inventive, home-style and strictly vegetarian and/or vegan cuisine. Its decor is…

Niçoise chef Annie Féolde applies French techniques to her refined Tuscan cuisine and does it so well that this is the only restaurant in Tuscany to…

A particular favourite with Florence's vegetarian and vegan crowd, this retro-fashioned cafe in Santa Croce is a hipster spot to hang out over freshly…

How fabulous. San Frediano's hugely successful pizzeria has spawned a second, equally popular branch near the historical centre in trendy Santa Croce…

Dine at chez Fabio Picchi and you'll instantly understand why a queue gathers outside before it opens. Once inside, revel in top-notch Tuscan cuisine:…

An ideal lunch spot a block from Piazza Santa Croce for a quick yet homely taste of local cuisine cooked up by doctor-turned–passionate chef Ghianda…

Deep-fried dishes are the speciality of this fast-food eatery, known for its coccoli (deep-fried savoury doughnuts), stuffed with different tempting…

Many Florentines insist crêpes were invented in the Tuscan capital, and this cafe serves up some of the city’s best. Galettes, pancakes and waffles topped…

On a street known for its fast-food panino joints, it’s refreshing to encounter an eatery serving international dishes from a menu of brunch-style eggs,…

Inside seating makes this gelato and cake shop stand out. Pistachio, pear and caramel, and chocolate with orange are crowd favourites. Pay at the cash…

Don't be put off by the dank alley in which you'll find this old butcher's shop with marble-clad walls, wrought-iron meat hooks and a name inspired by an…

Raw fish, shellfish, oysters and other fishy dishes – all caught in waters around Italy by the Manno family's 30-strong fleet of fishing boats – are…

When Tuscany's meaty fare tires, make a beeline for this crisp-cut, contemporary space with huge windows overlooking the street and the finest bowls of…

Pocket-sized and packed, this cheery trattoria with marigold walls and colourful ceramic-tiled tables is everything a traditional Florentine eating place…