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Florence is a feast for the senses, and for foodies like us, diving into its culinary scene is an absolute must. My husband John and I have found that food tours are the perfect way to experience a destination, immersing ourselves in local flavours, history, and culture while discovering hidden gems we’d never stumble upon.
Florence, one of the world’s most iconic food destinations, was a highlight of our six-week road trip through Italy. We set out to indulge in four gourmet food and wine tours—Rome, Sorrento, Venice, and now, Florence. Every bite on our Florence for Foodies Tour was a revelation, and every guide we met brought the city’s rich culinary traditions to life with infectious enthusiasm.
From rustic trattorias tucked away in charming alleyways to the bustling markets overflowing with fresh produce, our journey through Florence’s food scene was spectacular. Sampling local delicacies—creamy burrata, rich wild boar ragu, and exquisite Chianti—felt like stepping into the heart of Tuscany. The best part? Sharing stories and laughter with fellow travellers over plates of handmade pasta.
There’s no better way to get to know a city than through its food. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first-time visitor, a Florence food tour is the perfect introduction to one of Italy’s most delicious regions.
Here’s our review of the unforgettable flavours, traditions, and experiences we savoured on our foodie adventure in Florence, Italy.
About Florence for Foodies Tour
Nat and Sam are two passionate and experienced licensed guides, operating Florence for Foodies for over a decade.
Their food tours focus on Florentine food and traditions intertwined with the city’s history. They aim to show you all the city of Florence’s hidden gem eateries and the best Florence has to offer in a four-hour food tour.
On the day we did our Florence for Foodies tour, we were blessed with the wonderful Nat as our local food guide – a true Italian mamma. Mamma Nat, as she liked to be named, gave us Italian food insights into the local regional food culture of Florence, Italy.
A food tour focusing on Tuscan food and traditions.
Nat loves her food which translates to her skills as a passionate food guide. She is a passionate cook, with a wooden spoon in one hand and a glass of prosecco in the other. In her downtime, Nat is out and about discovering new mouth-watering restaurants to recommend to Florence newbies like us.
Do you like a good drop of wine? Nat is your gal to show you the sipping and swirling ropes, as a certified first-level sommelier studying her way to greater wine heights.
All these essential Tuscan ingredients make Nat an excellent guide to take you to some of Florence’s best food and wine locations.
We Are Off and Racing to our Florence Food Tour
Starting our morning early with no breakfast and high on espresso, we raced off to our food tour rendezvous point to arrive ahead of time outside the Basilica of San Lorenzo.
Whilst we waited for our food tour guide to show, a female busker, and a violinist, performed classical Italian music in the square. She had us transfixed from the get-go. Her body’s rhythmic sway mesmerised us in her elegant long navy-blue cocktail dress. And the way she gently caressed her violin with her bow, the sound was sweet upon our ears. For John and I, who rarely get the opportunity to enjoy the Italian classics – it was simply a magical and sublime moment!
RAE’S TRAVEL TIPWe recommend you eat a light meal or have no meal ahead of time, for you are promised a full and happy stomach at the end of the food tour. You will get your money’s worth! Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and a wide-brimmed hat and bring bottled water.
Mamma Nat and Her Florence Bambini Tribe
Our daydream, created by the violinist’s tune, was cut short by Natalie – the friendly and cheerful voice of our Italian food tour guide. Mamma Nat embraced all eight of us to her Italian bosom like we were one of her Bambini (children).
Mamma Nat quickly nicknamed John and me “Giovanni and Roberta” after group introductions. My first name, Raeleen, appears unusual everywhere I go in Italy!
She continued her storytelling and told us about the Italian gourmet and sporting rivalries between feudal regions. Our Australian State of Origin (referred to as Australian sport’s greatest rivalry and premier rugby football event) doesn’t even come close.
Rules For Eating in Italy
Mamma Nat was hilarious with her food-related and cultural anecdotes having us in stitches regaling the various ingrained Italian food rules for eating in Italy. Here are some of what she had to say:
- Italians believe drinking milk after a meal will spoil their digestion. No cappuccino is drunk after 11 am.
- You will always get an espresso if you order a
caffe (coffee). - Any coffee beverage should be drunk standing at a bar or sitting at the table after a meal. There appear to be no takeaway cups to be seen in Italy(?)
- You are only allowed to buy meat from your lifelong family butcher. Unless you marry, then you have to switch to your mother-in-law’s butcher.
- Upon meeting your future mother-in-law for the first time, she does not want to learn anything about who you are. To pass the acceptance test you must give her the secret ingredients used in your ragu.
- Tuscan food is made without salt – a tradition that goes back to medieval times. Historically, nearby Pisa controlled the salt trade and cut off supplies as part of a feudal rivalry with Florence. Go figure!
To Market, to Market (Mercato di San Lorenzo) to Buy a …
We sampled many mouth-watering delicacies at the bustling and lively market food stalls at Mercato Centrale, (or Mercato di San Lorenzo), including:
- da Nerbone – in business since 1872 – for trippa alla fiorentina (diced tripe stewed with tomatoes and sage) and panino con bollito un lampredotto (a boiled meat sandwich that’s bagnato, dipped in its meat juices).
- Conti Tuscany Flavours – great authentic Italian and Tuscan products ideal for gifts such as truffle, oils, jams and balsamic.
- Marco Salumi e Formaggi – for different cold cuts and cheeses.
- Lory – for amazing cantuccini (biscotti).
Best Award-Winning Sommelier of Italy 2014
One of the highlights of our food tour was meeting Livio Del Chiaro, owner of La Divina Enoteca. Livio led us through a private 30-minute, informative and delicious wine-pairing taster session.
Quietly spoken, Olivio is extremely knowledgeable and a respected gastronome and an award-winning sommelier.
We had white and red wine pairings, with unsalted bread and pecorino cheese. We sipped and nibbled off a beautifully presented charcuterie board comprising his specialty products – from pestos and jams to relishes and balsamic vinegar to olive and truffle oils. All are on display in the store, affordably priced and available online for export.
We learnt more in our wine-pairing taster session than in all the wineries visited in Italy.
John and Rae, Suitcase Escapes
By days end we became wine lovers!
After four hours, we finished our food tour by sampling six different types of gelato and sorbets from Gelateria Perche No (established in 1939). Who knew that the measure of a good Gelateria is in the nuttiness of its gelato pistachio?
Read More:
- Best Gelato in Italy: Why Shrek Green is Not Pistachio
- 10 Practical Tips for Choosing a Food Tour
- A Tuscany Cooking Class Certaldo Italy – Dining on Peasant Food
- Sampling Italian Flavours: Rome Secret Food Tour, Italy
- Ultimate Venice Bucket List: From Gondolas to Grand Canals
- Italy Six-Week Road Trip Itinerary
In Conclusion
At the Florence for Foodies tours-end, our guide Nat handed us a flyer outlining all the places we had visited — from markets to shops to wine bars. She even listed a heap of additional restaurants, eateries and food-related produce store recommendations.
“I feel like I’m in a long-running dream tv episode of ‘[Wo]Man vs Food’. Please wake me up from my food comatose!”
Rae, Suitcase Escapes
We ate at two of the restaurants she recommended.
If you like your wines, Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, a wine library run by three very passionate guys, is the place to drink. Alongside their great selection of Italian wines, try their melt-in-your-mouth pasta, with Italian cheeses and cold cuts.
Are you looking for inexpensive, high-quality homestyle Italian cooking? Then look no further, Trattoria Sergio Gozzi, a restaurant serving up Tuscan classics like Florentine T-bone steaks, Ossobuco and Bracioline Rifatte. We weren’t disappointed.
Both these restaurants, recommended by Nat, were outstanding!
Experience all the local flavours of Florence alongside other food lovers in a small tour group of eight. Learn from our food tour guide Nat, about Tuscan food, wine and its place in Italian history.
We highly recommend for first-timers wanting to experience authentic Tuscan food, the Florence for Foodies tour. You won’t regret it!
For other top Florence food and gourmet tours, check out Viator or Get Your Guide.
If you want to savour the best of Italy’s timeless cuisine—think pizza, pasta, Parmigiano-Reggiano, espresso, wine, and gelato—then this fun and practical handbook is your ticket to eating well in Italy. Buon appetito!
Rick Steves: Italy for Food Lovers is a four-part practical guide for those seeking to experience Italy through its great sights and Italian food, wine, and culinary philosophy. It is packed (464 pages) with unique insights and tips for appreciating good food as Italians do.
Would you travel for food? What foodie tours have you experienced? Let us know by providing your comments below.
Suitcase Escape Route
Tour: Florence for Foodie Tour. Visit their website for their Nude and Food tour (includes a visit to the Academia Museum to see Michelangelo’s David).When: The tour is conducted every day, except Sunday.
Duration: Two options – Starts morning 10:10 am or afternoon 3 pm. Duration approximately 4 hours.
Cost: 85 Euro for adults*. Youth up to 16 years 75 Euro. Included in the cost is all tastings. *Cost as at December 2019
Stick Around for a While
Need help planning the rest of your trip?
If you need help planning the rest of your trip to Italy, we've got you covered! Check out our Six-Week Italy Road Trip Itinerary, explore our recommended places to stay in Italy, and visit our Italy Travel Guide filled with captivating stories and practical tips.
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DISCLOSURE: We were paying guests for this activity. All views, opinions and photos unless otherwise stated are our own and remain copyrighted to Suitcase Escapes. Learn more.
