La Ghiotta

Amazing food at great prices. 2 pastas, 2 drinks, and dessert for less than €30! Friendly service with a great atmosphere.

The food at Il Ghiotta is genuinely good—but the experience is what makes this little spot unforgettable. This tiny, bustling restaurant is full of the soul of Florence. At lunch, I’m pretty sure my husband and I were the only native English speakers in the room. When people say they’re searching for an “authentic” meal, this is exactly what I imagine they mean. It feels like a true family operation, the kind of place where the staff seems to know half the guests, and everyone else feels like part of the neighborhood. We dropped in for lunch and enjoyed the pici carbonara, but honestly the highlight was people-watching. Three older nonnas were tucked into a corner sharing wine and animated conversation—exactly the kind of scene that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into daily Florentine life rather than a tourist stop. After watching plate after plate come out of the kitchen during lunch, we knew we had to return for dinner. The baccalà alla livornese with roasted potatoes did not disappoint. But again, more than the food, it was the atmosphere that made the night: families chatting across tables, friends greeting each other loudly, kids weaving in and out as their dads took turns stepping outside to play ball with them. What struck me most was how naturally children are included here. No devices, no screens—just coloring books, word searches, and old-school entertainment while the adults lingered over wine. The whole place radiates warmth and connection. There was a man working the wood-burning pizza oven—possibly the owner—who seemed to be the heart of the operation. Even with the oven blazing behind him, he greeted guests with the easy confidence of someone who loves what he does. If you want a meal that feeds more than your stomach—one that drops you right into the rhythm of Florentine life—Il Ghiotta is the place. It’s the kind of spot that reminds you why we travel in the first place.

We were recommended to this place by our airbnb hosts and when we arrived we almost turned around because it didn’t look like a sit-down restaurant at first. But luckily we went inside and the food was incredible!! Service was great too. We ordered a second order of the spaghetti, it was that good. Also don’t miss the tiramisu

La Ghiotta is a charming spot in Florence that I used to frequent with friends, and it never disappointed me. Every time I visited, I’d order the seafood pasta, and it was consistently delicious. While it was sometimes a bit on the oily side, the flavors were always spot on, making it a dish I looked forward to each time. The staff was always friendly and accommodating, especially considering I’d often come with a large group. Service was quick, which is a big plus in a busy city like Florence. While the seafood pasta is the only dish I’ve tried from the menu, I’ve heard nothing but praise from my friends about their choices, so I’m confident the other offerings are just as good. For a seafood dish, I found it to be relatively inexpensive, which made the experience even better. The reasonable price, combined with the quality, definitely makes La Ghiotta a spot worth returning to whenever I’m in the area.

Came here for dinner as a group of four. Recommend to book in advance - by phone looked easier/more established for them but they also have the online system. Staff were all very friendly. We were the only English people in there - the rest were Italian, which was a good sign! Plenty to choose from on the menu and the dishes tasted great with good portion sizes. Not many soft drinks to choose from - which could be an improvement. Would recommend!

Excellent experience! Turned up at 6.45pm on a Friday with three small children and no reservation and they found us a table despite lots of reservations. We were the only non Italian group in there and made to feel so welcome. We are a family of vegans and several options were vegan (marinara pizza, a spicy spaghetti I forget the name of!) and they were so accommodating making a pomodoro pasta for my daughter's and removing cheese etc from pizzas. Food was delicious, wine delicious and very reasonable. Would recommend.

A lot of locals eat here… The food is simple, well-sourced and nicely cooked. There are some Tuscan dishes too. The seafood & meat are a highlight. The pizzas are thin based with lightly salted & seasoned crusts… My Italian is awful but the servers spoke good English and were very accommodating. The house red went down very easily… It can be busy in the evenings during or just before the weekend so you may want to book ahead or have a drink whilst you wait for a table… It may look more like a cafe than a restaurant but don’t let that deceive you! I enjoyed my meals there due to less pretentiousness…

So good we ended up having dinner here for two consecutive nights. The staff were very friendly, and the atmosphere felt authentically local. Prices were fair, and the place tends to fill up after 9 PM, so it’s best to go early or reserve a table.