Most travelers’ agendas when they visit Florence are filled with juicy Florentine steaks and meat-heavy lampredotto sandwiches. You wouldn’t really think that vegan offerings are anything to ride home about, but I can contest there are some top-notch plant-based eateries for meat-free foodies.
Since launching our Florence food tours, I have discovered that the city is as vegan-friendly as anywhere else in Europe. From gelaterias serving vegan gelato and crepes to fast food joints and upmarket spots serving vegan fare, there is something for everyone.
If you’re planning a trip to Florence and need some recommendations for the best vegan restaurants in town, you’ll find my top picks below.
Photo credit: Raw Vegan Firenze
Raw burst onto Florence’s vegan food scene a few years back and has gone on to become one of the most acclaimed plant-based spots in the city. Having heard a lot about it, I made sure to stop by the next time I was in the Santo Spirito area.
I expected to face a wait, but it was pretty quiet when I arrived, so the waiter showed me to my table right away. In keeping with its eco-conscious and wellness-focused philosophy, Raw’s interior features bright white walls, vivid green plants, and wooden furniture.
As implied by the restaurant’s name, most of the menu items are raw, but I did spot a few cooked options, too. Before visiting, I’d never heard of raw pizza before, so I just had to sample this unique dish for myself. To keep things simple, I opted for the Margherita variety.
The dough was made from zucchini and flaxseed, and despite my initial skepticism, it was delightfully moist but with a little crunch from the seeds. On top were bright tomatoes, a touch of punchy basil, and a creamy layer of cashew mozzarella, which was absolutely divine.
Raw Vegan Firenze (€€) – Via Sant’Agostino, 11B, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Photo credit: Il Vegano – Firenze
Very few restaurants in Florence create vegan takes on classic Italian dishes quite like the team at Il Vegano does. This San Marco-based bistro is also predominately gluten-free, making it a mecca for anyone with dietary requirements.
Inside, the set-up is super casual, and it brings garden-like elements indoors with wooden trellis panels and colorful flowers. The dining area was almost full when I got there, but I snatched one of the two tiny tables perched outside on the street front.
After I sat down, the waitress went through the menu with me, which included plant-based risotto, meatless pasta, and even vegan desserts like tiramisu and ice cream. I was famished and wanted something hearty and satisfying, so I settled on the lasagna.
Having only tried seitan once before, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it worked as a ragu. Slightly chewy and mild in taste, the seitan made for a tasty meat alternative, soaking up the juicy tomatoes and complementing the tangy vegan cheese.
Better yet, the egg-free lasagna sheets had the mellow flavor and firm consistency of any traditional pasta.
Il Vegano – Firenze (€€) – 43, Via S. Gallo, 75 Rosso, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Photo credit: Base V Juicery
Base V Juicery is a vegan restaurant chain with several outlets in Florence. So far, I’ve only made it to their city center location just north of the Arno River, but I’m already eager to check out their other branches.
Although the name suggests otherwise, Base V Juicery whips up more than just cold-pressed juices. Inside this teal-colored and wallpaper-covered haunt, I was surprised to find the likes of veggie wraps, stacked toasts, and nourishing soups on the menu.
Every dish sounded delicious and was stuffed with fresh, healthy ingredients, but I was most drawn to the hummus toast and berry smoothie. The latter came out first and was a heavenly thick blend of tart blackberries, sweet strawberries, and woody cinnamon.
I had high hopes for the arugula and cherry tomato-topped hummus toast, and it certainly exceeded them. On a base of lightweight sourdough bread was nutty and lemony hummus, snappy tomatoes, and peppery arugula.
Not only were the colors bright and vibrant, but the textures worked together with them beautifully. What I especially loved was the silky consistency of the hummus with the crispy sourdough.
Base V Juicery (€€) – Via dei Neri, 46r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm
Photo credit: L’OV Osteria Vegetariana
Florence’s historical San Frediano neighborhood is the home of L’OV Osteria Vegetariana, a beloved vegan and vegetarian restaurant. I’d been looking for somewhere to take a vegan friend of mine for animal-free versions of traditional Tuscan recipes when I first came across L’OV.
The interior of this place is reason enough to visit, as the old stone walls and tiles contrast with the sleek and contemporary furniture. When I arrived after dark, the twinkling fairy lights and ambient music gave it a gorgeous, cozy atmosphere.
Before visiting, I’d assumed the menu would consist solely of Tuscany-inspired fare, but a ton of international favorites were also available. As delicious as the vegan burgers and noodles looked, I had my heart set on the eggplant parmigiana.
Though it’s a relatively simple dish, it really hit the nail on the head with the taste and texture. Soft and velvety, the eggplants had a subtle enough flavor to balance out the rich tomato sauce and salty vegan mozzarella. A crispy dusting of breadcrumbs perfectly finished off the dish.
L’OV Osteria Vegetariana (€€) – Piazza del Carmine, 4R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, closed every Sunday
Photo credit: Nirvana Veg Restaurant Firenze
When I was last in Florence, I stayed in the Santa Maria Novella area and happened upon Nirvana Veg Restaurant. I was a little peckish and noticed a couple of people dining outdoors, so I decided to check out what food was on offer.
Before I even looked at the menu, I spent the first few minutes admiring the decor. It was elegant and chic but with a pop of color from the wall hangings and floral wallpaper. After struggling to decide what to order, I asked the waiter if I could get whatever the most popular menu item was.
This turned out to be the truffle carbonara, which I still can’t believe was completely vegan! Homemade seitan was used as a guanciale substitute, and its dreamy, smokey flavors worked a treat alongside the umami truffles and intense vegan cream.
As full as I was, I couldn’t help but order one of the desserts after seeing about a dozen emerge from the kitchen. The tiramisu looked particularly appealing, and the bittersweet coffee-infused ladyfingers and sugary dairy-free mascarpone were so rich and indulgent.
Nirvana Veg Restaurant Firenze (€€) – Via Il Prato, 4/b, 50127 Firenze FI, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Photo credit: Santo Falafel
Santo Falafel in Santo Spirito offers some of the finest Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food in Florence. Although the menu is geared towards those who eat vegan foods, believe me when I say that meat-eaters can enjoy this place as much.
Boasting industrial-style walls, white painted bricks, and rustic wooden furniture, the seating area is modern but still has an old-school charm. There was a lovely chilled-out vibe inside, and the staff greeted me and every other customer with a smile.
I wasn’t feeling overly hungry and was on the hunt for a mid-afternoon snack, so I went for the baba ganoush. This portion turned out to be much larger than I’d anticipated and came with a generous serving of warm, freshly baked flatbread.
If I’m honest, I could tuck into this baba ganoush every day and never tire of it. The bread was fluffy and airy, making it the ideal accompaniment to the earthy flavors of the baba ganoush. While the lemon added a gentle kick, the tahini balanced it with its savoriness.
Santo Falafel (€€) – Via Santa Monaca, 7R, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy – Open every day from 11:30 pm to 12:00 am
Finding quality restaurants with both vegan and non-vegan options is no easy task. Luckily, Florence has a bunch of places that offer exactly that.
Ristorante Quinoa – An entirely gluten-free eatery, a short walk away from Mercato Centrale, with stylish decor and an enviable selection of vegan dishes
Mattacena – A cozy spot for traditional Italian staples and vegan alternatives
Mister Pizza – This buzzing joint offers plant-based takes on classic pizzas with vegan cheese and animal-free toppings
The quality and quantity of Florence’s vegan restaurants are only going up, and meat-free substitutes for just about any dish are becoming easier to find. With these plant-based joints, you’ll never have to look too far for wholesome and fulfilling vegan food.
The post The 6 Best Vegan Restaurants In Florence appeared first on Eating Europe.
