It’s birthday time in Florence, and you need somewhere to celebrate. Fear not; the Renaissance city is one of the most beautiful places to enjoy a meal for a special occasion.
Since I’ve lived in Italy, I’ve got to spend two of my birthdays in Florence, and I’m already planning my next one. There’s something exceptional about indulging in a Florentine steak with a fine glass of a chianti and screaming saluti as you grow another year older and wiser.
Between running our Eating Europe Florence food tours and celebrating two birthday bashes here, I’ve dined at quite a few establishments that are well worth spending your special day in. Let me pique your interest and show you the best restaurants in Florence for a birthday dinner.
Photo credit: Lugarno 23
Minutes away from the Ponte Vecchio lies Lugarno 23 on the banks of the Arno River, famed for its massive selection of mouthwatering Chianina meats and a gorgeous terrace with an amazing view of the Uffizi Gallery.
Between the sophisticated interior space with pendant lights and shelves housing the finest Florentine wines, Lugarno 23 is the best romantic restaurant for a birthday meal. We sat on the patio, which had a calm ambiance, and got a fabulous view of Uffizi in all her glory.
I went all out and ordered the Chianina sliced sirloin steak with roasted potatoes and chef’s mayonnaise. It came out on a black platter, chopped into thin pieces with a steak knife right in the middle.
I chose for the steak to be cooked medium rare; it was tender and chewy, with the juice leaking out onto the plate as I cut through it. The seasoning gave the flavor profile a herby kick, and the mayonnaise was quite creamy, which complemented the meat’s earthiness and the potatoes’ mild starchy taste.
Lugarno 23 (€€€) – Lungarno Torrigiani, 23, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and Weekends from, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, and 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Photo credit: Trattoria l’Oriuolo
If you’re in the historic center near the Piazza del Duomo and looking for somewhere for a birthday meal, I recommend the italian restaurant I had mine last year in Trattoria l’Oriuolo.
The first time I walked in here, I felt like I was at home; it was such a warm, family-oriented feeling. I loved how the menu focused on Florentine cuisine, with dishes from the peasant tradition that used to be seen as food for poor people but have since grown to be regional favorites with tradition.
It was great that they kept the long table right at the front door for my friends and family. Everyone was blown away by the bright and airy interiors and the hospitable crew working that night.
For my meal, I had the chianti tuna with marsala glazed onion, and all I could say about it was wow! It came out in a glass bowl with onions on the side; the flavors were subtle and fruity with an earthy undertone from the chianti that gave the tuna a nice kick, while the onions added a sweet and sour edge to it.
Trattoria l’Oriuolo (€€) – Via dell’ Oriuolo, 58r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, every Friday and Saturday, 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, every Sunday, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and closed every Tuesday
Photo credit: SimBIOsi Organic Pizza and Lovely Food
Not too far from the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, you’ll find SimBIOsi Organic Pizza and Lovely Food. I’ve been here to this Osteria on a couple of occasions since it opened in 2015, and it has really taken off since then.
I’ve always been a big fan of the dining experience at SimBIOsi Organic Pizza; their goal is to use organic farming practices from Tuscany without using any synthetic products and GMOs.
From the outside, this place appears to be quite unassuming, but inside is a hideaway with gorgeous brickwork; it looks almost like a wine cellar. Just be careful when you’re looking for a birthday party; make sure you tell them about the pizza restaurant as they have another establishment, too.
I urge everyone to try the pancetta E blu di vacca pizza when they’re here; it’s made with organic mozzarella cheese, blue cheese, bacon, pistachios, and fresh basil.
Each bite is like going on a flavorful adventure; the creaminess of the mozzarella blends with the tanginess of the blue cheese. While bacon’s smokiness complements, the pepperiness from the basil and the nutty element from the pistachio gives it a fine finishing touch.
SimBIOsi Organic Pizza and Lovely Food (€€) – Open every day, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Photo credit: Konnubio Via dei Conti
Another fine-dining Italian restaurant I personally visited on my birthday is the amazing Michelin-star Konnubio Via dei Conti, next to Basilica di San Lorenzo.
The architecture inside alone is enough to lure you in. Some areas of the restaurant are filled with modern finishes with natural light and openness, while others are hidden away in intimate corners with dark features, excellent for a sit-down meal with your other half.
I don’t say this often, but Konnubio Via dei Conti has it all; the great Chef Michele Mancini crafts the Mediterranean-infused menu, the portion sizes are fantastic with a beautiful presentation, and the wine list isn’t too shabby either.
If you’re coming here for your birthday, I urge you to try the spicy octopus with mashed potatoes, sweet garlic sauce, and taggiasche olives, as I did.
When I first saw it when it was dropped, I didn’t want to touch it; it looked that beautiful. And the flavors—oh my. The octopus was as savory as could be, with a tender and slightly chewy texture and lightly spiced, while the garlic sauce was quite rich. The olives were a little bitter but divine at the same time.
Konnubio Via dei Conti (€€€) – Via dei Conti, 8r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day, 7:00 pm to 12:00 am
I’ve got one more Florence restaurant that you should consider before I wrap up this list, and that’s the Trattoria Diladdarno, which looks out onto the historic Via dei Serragli. If you want to go for some traditional Florentine and Tuscan cuisine, you’ll love this place.
Finding Trattoria Diladdarno was a bit of a challenge for me at first, as there’s just a small white door out front, but inside awaits the gorgeous little dining room connected to a cute courtyard surrounded by lush greenery.
I wouldn’t say the menu is massive here, but it was the Eggplant parmigiana with burrata foam that caught my attention. I knew once I saw it dropped in a huge square bowl at the table beside it that it had me written all over it.
The eggplant itself was quite tender with a hint of bitterness, but the burrata stole the show for me. It was a bit light, but the buttery, sweet, and tangy flavors that came from it once I stuck my fork into it were nothing short of incredible.
Trattoria Diladdarno (€€) – Via dei Serragli, 108/r, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day, Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, every Tuesday, 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and closed every Monday
Are you excited about your next birthday in Florence now? I thought so! The Tuscan capital pulls out all the stops for birthday dinners; with so much variety, you can have just about any type of food you want for your next celebration.
The post The 5 Best Restaurants for a Birthday Dinner in Florence appeared first on Eating Europe.
