A Florentine family tradition
La Cucina del Garga
Why locals love it
It's Tuscan cooking but with an international twist. Head chef Alessandro spent almost a decade in New York, so he knows how to put a modern spin on comfort-food classics: regional specialties like ribollita and bistecca fiorentina are menu standards, but he adds his own signature flair. Ingredients are always fresh and the menu changes seasonally.
Why you should visit it
It's one of Florence's finest family-operated restaurants, and it retains the spirit of the original "Garga," a local artist and chef known for his flamboyant personality as much as his flair for cooking. Come for the food (the tagliatelle del Magnifico is out of this world), but stay for the celebratory vibe and colorful ambiance.
Special tip
Don't miss the famous cheesecake—it's the creation of Canadian "nonna" Sharon, the family matriarch and a longtime Florentine expat.