Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.
Pizza is not only central to Italian cuisine but is also its national identity. There are hundreds of variations of this much-loved Italian creation found all over the world, but its true form that originated in the city of Naples was quite simple. Its variations were limited to two types: marinara (tomato, oil, oregano, and garlic) and Margherita (tomato, oil, mozzarella, grated cheese, and basil).
Italians still remain faithful to the traditional process of pizza making, although they’ve come a long way in experimenting with flavours and toppings. One needs to literally dig in to appreciate the authenticity of a true Italian pizza. So, here are Unravelog’s recommendations for some of Florence’s must-try pizzerias!
il Pizzaiuolo
Located near the S. Ambrogio market, this pizzeria is an old favourite amongst locals and tourists alike. The space is small and the tables are almost never free, so remember to call ahead. They keep their pizzas plain and simple – specialties include Diavolo (spicy salami with mozzarella cheese and olives) and creamy burrata pizza (their burrata cheese is said to be Florence’s best).
Address: Via dei Macci, 113r, 50122 Firenze FI
Phone: +39 055 241171
Timings: Every day 12 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 1 pm
Website: http://www.ilpizzaiuolo.it/
Gusta Pizza
Located in the historic, artisan district of Santo Spirito, Gusta Pizza is an old, family-run establishment serving affordable, fluffy, and doughy-style pizzas, characteristic of Southern Italy. One can either have the pizzas in-house (if you manage to secure a table) or have it as a takeaway that can be eaten on the stairs of the nearby Santo Spirito Basilica or at the Piazza Santo Spirito.
The menu is limited to about 7 types of pizzas and apart from the popular Margherita and Napoli, one should also try their famous Calabrese pizza (salami-basil-mozzarella) or the Gustapizza (cherry tomatoes-arugula-parmesan-mozzarella). If you ask nicely, they will also prepare your order as a heart-shaped pizza!
Address: Via Maggio, 46r, 50125 Firenze FI
Phone: +39 055 285068
Timings: Tue – Sun 12 to 3 pm; 7 pm to 11 pm
Berebere’
This is a place that’s quite clear in its mission – to serve artisanal pizza made only with live sourdough bread and seasonal, organic ingredients. Their pizzas have a perfect texture that is crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, thanks to stringent quality standards of allowing the dough to rise for at least 24 hours at controlled room temperature, and using only organic whole wheat or ‘special dough’ comprising Kamut, spelt, rye, and enkir. The topping combinations are very original and vary according to season.
Address: Piazza dei Nerli, 1, 50124 Firenze FI and Via dei Benci, 7, 50122 Firenze FI
Phone: 39 055 238 2946, +39 055 399 4589
Timings: Everyday 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm
Website: https://www.berberepizza.it/en/
Pizzeria Da Gherardo
Quite close to the Santo Spirito square and a minute’s walk from the historic Ponte Vecchio bridge is Da Gherardo. The vibes and ambience are old-world and the pricing is very affordable. It is one of Florence’s smallest pizzerias and the size of the space belies its popularity. One should either come early or after dinner hours as the place has only 12–15 tables and doesn’t take reservations. Other than the classics, favourites include the Regina pizza with basil, eggplants, fresh tomatoes, provola buffalo cheese, and tomato sauce.
Address: Borgo S. Frediano, 57/R, 50124 Firenze FI
Phone: +39 055 205 2888
Timings: Every day 12 to 3 pm; 7 pm to 10:30 pm
Website: https://da-gherardo.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Gustarium Firenze
This is probably one of the most unique pizzerias on this list – they make thick-crust (focaccia style), whole-wheat pan pizzas that have been leavened for 48 hours. Servings are sold by slice and weight. The menu is fixed daily by the two chefs Puian and Salvatore, after sourcing the freshest ingredients from the local market. They feature innovative toppings like salmon and squash blossoms!
There are also some staples such as mascarpone, mortadella, Iranian pistachio, or yellow datterino (dates), raw ham and dehydrated oranges, or even avocado and candied citron. One can sample a little bit of everything, given the limited daily menu options. Besides the versatile pizzas, Puian has also curated a selection of craft beer and wine to go with the food.
Address: Via dei Cimatori, 24r, 50122 Firenze FI
Phone number: +39055283469
Timings: Tue – Sun 12pm to 3:31 pm
Santarpia
This very modern and contemporary pizzeria founded by award-winning chef Giovanni Santarpia is a hot favourite in Florence for Neapolitan-style pizzas. The secret of their near-perfect pizza crusts is the fact that chef Santarpia leaves the dough out to rise for 48 hours, making it extraordinarily light and airy. Popular choices among pizzas include Margherita as well as ones with more innovative toppings zucchini flowers, pumpkin, burrata cheese, truffles, or even lampredotto (cow’s stomach). It is located right at the city centre near the Sant Ambrogio market and one must always book in advance to secure a table.
Address: Via Senese, 155r, 50124 Firenze FI
Phone: +390559338245
Timings: Tue – Fri 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Sat – Sun 12:30 pm to 2:30pm, 6:30 to 9:30pm
Website: https://giovannisantarpia.com/
Pizza Man (and Pizzagnolo)
This is a very popular restaurant chain running since 2001 in Florence. They are known for their simple pizzas, quality ingredients, and easy-on-the-pocket prices. The crust is slightly thick as it is made in Naples-style, with gluten-free and vegan dough options. For your order, opt for one of their classics such as Margherita, Marinara, or the hugely popular Pasquale (with cherry tomatoes and basil) along with any of the specialty pizzas.
Their best outlets in Florence are said to be the ones in Rocca Tedalda and Via dell’Agnolo (this has branched out from the original Pizzaman franchise and is now known as Pizzagnolo).
Address: Via di Rocca Tedalda, 411, 50136 Firenze FI, Via dell’Agnolo, 107 Rosso, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 691756
Timings: Every day 12 pm to 2:30 pm; 7 pm to 2:00 am
Website: https://www.pizzaman.it/
Pizzeria del Caffè Italiano
Located on the ground floor of the 14th-century Palazzo Salviati in the Santa Croce area, this space features a fine-dining restaurant, cafe, and pizzeria. Their focus is on quality ingredients and classic dishes and preparations. Their hugely popular Neapolitan-style pizzas come in only three varieties: Margherita, Napoli, and Marinara. The Margherita is supposedly one of the city’s best and one is advised to opt for takeaway as the tables are almost always full.
Address: Via Isola delle Stinche, 11R/13r, 50122 Firenze FI
Phone: +39 055 289080
Timings: Tue – Sun 7 pm to 11 pm
Website: https://caffeitaliano.it/
L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele
This is named after Michele Condurro who is often seen as the face of the Neapolitan pizza tradition since 1870, and whose descendants carry on the tradition through their numerous pizzerias spread throughout the world. He created a name for the authentic Neapolitan pizza by sticking to the original Margherita and Marinara varieties with no alterations.
Even today they offer only seven basic types of Pizza that include Neapolitan pizza (made with Fior Di Latte Mozzarella from Agerola, Cetara’s anchovies, oregano, capers); Calzone (with ricotta, ciccioli (pork scratchings), mozzarella, tomato and oil); fried Calzone, and Cosack (that replaces Mozzarella with Pecorino D.O.P or Italian sheep cheese).
Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 22R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +390552696173
Timings: Every day 12 noon to 4 pm, 6 pm to 11:30 pm
Culinary delights aside, Florence has a lot more that will delight the intrepid traveller. If you have time in hand and want to explore the city further, check out our detailed itinerary that unravels Florence in 4 days.
Nikita Joseph
Prerana
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