The delectable cannelloni at Mamma Gina’s

Delicious Discoveries in Florence

We can vouch for several great restaurants that had our taste buds buzzing the last time we were living seasonally in Florence.

Mamma Gina’s has been one of our favorite restaurants and we have eaten here each of the five times we have visited Florence. Found at Borgo S. Jacopo, 37 in the Oltrarno neighborhood right across the Ponte Vecchio, this casual, white tablecloth trattoria has friendly waiters and our favorite cannelloni.

All’antico Vinaio had lines around the corner, so you knew that this establishment was a local favorite. We stood in line too and devoured a Fabuloso sandwich for 5 euros. The ciabatta bread measured nine inches square. The artichoke and pecorino spread with salami was mouthwatering and magnifico. Find the iconic Italian street eatery at Via dei Neri, 76 just down the street from the corner of the Uffizzi and Palazzo Vecchio.

Osteria Santa Spirito sits on the Piazza Santo Spirito, 16 and became a new special spot. We sat outdoors and shared a table with new friends from Illinois where we devoured huge platters of gnochi and cacio e pepe. Yum!

Caffe Rosano is a great breakfast stop when you crave eggs. The omelette was huge and the cappuccino was bold. Find them at Via S.Gallo, 29. Our seatmate was from Portland and she ordered an XL mug of coffee that was a huge soup bowl of caffeine ! Our barista even brought over a free croissant for us to taste. They had our business !

Trattoria Za Za was another new discovery at Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26. Eating outside, we found the boar sausage and potatoes to be a new taste delight.

Trattoria Giovanni is at Via Sant’Agostino, 38 and this meal was pappardelle al cinghiale. Very close to Santo Spirito, this cozy gem will be a return trip for something we did not try, truffle pasta. It looked yummy.