The Kids Menu: Family-Friendly Restaurants in Florence, Italy
Florence, Italy is known for its breathtaking art and architecture. They also have a breathtaking food scene to match. While there are many good options for kids, finding good dining options for the whole family still involves a little research and strategy. Here are a few options for kid-friendly restaurants in Florence, Italy that promise to please everyone in your family.
A Quick Comment on Dining in Florence with Children
In general, restaurants in Florence and throughout Italy are more kid-friendly than other European destinations. While almost none have explicit kids menus (although there are a couple in this article), most ristorantes, trattorias and osterias will have pasta on the menu. That pasta can typically be served with a pomodoro sauce, ragu (meat sauce), or butter and cheese. There are also plenty of pizzarias. In short, most restaurants in Florence that aren't too fancy should have at least one option for kids.
Ground Rules for Finding Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Florence
There are a few rules that we used to produce this list:
- Nothing that is too touristy. We aren’t recommending any restaurants where the menu is in twenty languages with pictures and waiters are begging you to come inside
- The food must actually be good. We aren’t tolerating a mediocre or worse meal for the sake of pleasing the kids.
- Must be welcoming to families. We searched for places that cater to young and old diners alike.
1. Traditional Florentine Fare Near the Uffizi: La Buchetta Food & Wine Restaurant
Location: Via de Benci 3, 50122 Florence (a five minute walk from the Uffizi Gallery and seven minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio). There is a second location (conveniently, right next door) serving the same menu.
Website: https://labuchetta.com/la-buchetta-food-wine/
What to Expect: A welcoming, cozy bistro offering Tuscan specialties and an extensive wine list
Do They Take Reservations?: Yes, on their website forty-eight hours or more in advance
For the Parents: An extensive list of Tuscan and Italian wines to pair with fresh pasta, Florentine steak, and other Florentine classics
What the Kids Can Eat: The Kids Menu features Pasta with tomato sauce, ragu, or butter, grilled chicken with potatoes, and steak with potatoes
2. Neapolitan Pizza and Pasta for the Whole Family: Ciro and Sons
Location: Via del Giglio, 28/r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Website: https://www.ciroandsons.com/
What to Expect: A centrally located, family-owned restaurant serving up specialty pizzas and pastas
Do They Take Reservations?: Yes, on their website
For the Parents: Fresh specialty pizzas in the classic Neapolitan style, as well as fresh pasta dishes
What the Kids Can Eat: Ciro and Sons does not have a kids menu, but they have margherita pizzas
3. Rustic Tuscan Cuisine Near Galleria dell’Accademia: Fuoco Matto
Location: Via Ventisette Aprile, 16, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy
Website: https://www.fuocomatto.it/
What to Expect: Italian restaurant with a welcoming, brightly-lit dining room. Fuoco Matto is very kid-friendly: There is even a special play area for the little ones.
Do They Take Reservations: Yes, on the Commissary website
For the Parents: Part-grill, part-”prosciutteria”, part-pizzaria: the menu has something for every palatte
What the Kids Can Eat: The ‘Menu Bimbi’ includes pasta, mini hamburgers, and veal milanese.
4. An Indian Changeup from Italian: Haveli
Location: Viale Fratelli Rosselli 33R 50144 Florence Italy
Website: https://www.florenceindianrestaurant.it/menu/
What to Expect: If you need a break fromItalian food, Haveli is a helluva option. Warm welcoming service and delicious Indian food is why Haveli is the highest rated Indian restaurant in Florence.
Do They Take Reservations?: Yes, by phone. You can also email them ahead of time to set up a reservation.
For the Parents: A full menu of delicious Indian fare and Indian birra such as Kingfisher, Cobra, and Kamasutra
What the Kids Can Eat: Kids with blander appetites will still enjoy plain naan, tandoori chicken, and basmati rice. For the slightly more adventurous, there is tikka masala, onion rings, and other Indian favorites.
- Pasta Near Piazza di Santa Maria Novella: Osteria dei Centopoveri
Location: Viale Fratelli Rosselli 33R 50144 Florence Italy
Website: http://www.centopoveri.it/en/
What to Expect: A comfy restaurant steps away from the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella serving up typical Tuscan food in a welcoming environment.
Do They Take Reservations?: Yes, on their website
For the Parents: Grilled Tuscan staples and delicious homemade pasta dishes
What the Kids Can Eat: No explicit kids menu, but the regular menu has both Spaghetti Pomodoro and Spaghetti with Ragu (Meat Sauce), as well as pizza
Other Ideas for Kid-Friendly Dining in Florence:
- Sandwiches to Go - There are many sandwich shops around Florence with both complex options for the parents and simple options for the kids. You could go as basic as mozzarella on a roll if needed.
- Picnic Around Town - Florence has many public areas that are great for picnics and for the kids to run around. Find a bench along the Arno or outside Santa Croce or wherever else suits your fancy
Conclusion
Florence, maybe more than any other city in the world, has many kid-friendly options for young eaters. From pasta to pizza, and of course gelato, there are many crowd pleasers for kids. We hope our research helps as you are planning your trip to Florence. Please send us a note if you have visited at any of these restaurants or if you dined at any others we missed. Safe travels and enjoy!