The best seafood restaurants in Florence
Florence is the capital of steak, which explains why most people are surprised to hear the seafood is exceptional here. But let’s not forget Tuscany is a geographically varied region, with the countryside on one side and the seaside on the other, so naturally many traditional Tuscan dishes are fish based. We’ve gone ahead and selected the best seafood restaurants in Florence, including the most historic and innovative restaurants, where you can indulge in anything from cruditès to tartares, from seafood pasta dishes to exceptionally cooked fish.
Fishing Lab alle Murate
Via del Proconsolo, 16R
fishinglab.it
Housed in a 13th century building footsteps from the Bargello Museum, Fishing Lab is a smart-chic venue where you can taste seafood dishes with a contemporary twist. Their concept is simple yet innovative: the menu isn’t composed of the classic “appetizers” or “main courses”, it’s a triumph of dishes that range from the classic seafood cruditè to perfectly cooked dishes. Customers, with advice from the staff, get to compose their menu as preferred. You’ll find interesting cooking techniques and a great wine selection to choose from. The service is efficient and the beautifully frescoed vaults create a wonderful setting.
Osteria La Pescatoria
Via Palazzuolo, 80r
Lapescatoria
Get ready to dive into the Mediterranean seafood tradition at this refined osteria with a marine touch. La Pescatoria offers a top-notch selection of quality produce and a menu that’s a triumph of seafood specialties. The restaurant is captained by Enrico Verrecchia (with over 30 years of successful restaurant experience), his brother Giovanni and his brother-in-law Aurelio Fontani, who together share the passion of bringing the best raw ingredients to the restaurant. The restaurant prides itself in selecting only producers, breeders, fishermen and cooperatives that respect the planet. That’s why we recommend going for the seafood cruditè, you won’t be disappointed!
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Vivo: dal mare alla padella
Largo Annigoni, 9A/B
ristorantevivo.it
Cruditè lovers, this seafood restaurant can’t be missing from your list of where to eat in Firenze. Vivo is known for its exceptional seafood cruditè and fresh fish from the Maremma coast, so much so that it has restaurants in Capalbio, Milano and even Parma! On the menu you’ll find a selection of seafood delicacies that range from sea urchins and Percebes to oysters and sea truffles. Sicilian red prawns and cooked delicacies aren’t missing either.
Burro e Acciughe
Via dell’Orto, 35/R
burroeacciughe.com
In the San Frediano neighbourhood, along via dell’Orto, you’ll stumble upon one of our favorite seafood restaurants in Florence: Burro e Acciughe. A cozy setting where you can enjoy a fish-based aperitivo paired with a glass of wine from their extensive wine selection, or indulge in their delicious menu for lunch or dinner. As the name suggests, stand-out dishes include anything with anchovies (from the Cantabrico anchovies with butter to the fried anchovies with sage); the tartare with the catch of the day; the spaghetti with anchovies, toasted black bread and pine nuts; the tuna steak and the fried fish. But don’t forget to read the specials of the day on the chalkboard menu!
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Cestello Ristoclub
Piazza di Cestello
cestelloristoclub.com/
This seafood restaurant in the Oltrarno neighbourhood is surely one that has all of Florence talking. And what they’re saying will make you want to reserve a table. Doubling as a restaurant and a pescheria, Cestello Ristoclub lets its customers choose the catch of the day from the restaurant’s “fish shop” – meaning you can expect extremely fresh fish paired with innovative techniques and recipes. Pair your dishes with wine from the spectacular wine selection, which includes Italian classics as well as wine from small producers.
Fuor d’acqua
Via Pisana, 37/R
fuordacqua.it/
Tucked away in a former carriage depot a stone’s throw from Porta San Frediano you’ll find Fuor d’Acqua, a restaurant renowned for its seafood delicacies. The setting has been renovated with a touch of modernity but still preserves its old world charm. Among the highlights on the menu you’ll find the sea urchin spaghetti, the seafood cruditè, the lobster catalana and the selection of raw and cooked appetisers. Desserts are homemade and wine lovers will appreciate the 250 labels on the wine selection.
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Calino
Piazza delle Cure, 3/A
calinoristorante
If you’d like to taste lesser known fish varieties, Calino should definitely be on your list of where to eat in Florence. This restaurant was born from Tommaso Cintolesi’s passion for cooking and love for fresh quality ingredients. The concept is simple: taste lesser known fish varieties served raw or cooked to discover all the sea has to offer. All fish comes from the Tuscan coast and, as you’d expect, the menu changes based on the catch of the day. A fantastic wine selection also awaits you.
Da Settimo
Via del Barco, 21
settimopesce
Thanks to its outstanding fresh fish delivered each morning, including lobsters, king crabs, turbot, octopus, prawns, anchovies and sea bream, Da Settimo is hailed as one of the best seafood restaurants in Florence. This is a restaurant where the freshness of the ingredients is the protagonist, the fish is cooked in a simple manner, with no frills, in order to not alter its taste. Definitely start out with the raw fish appetizers, followed by the classic spaghetti with clams and the lobster Catalan!
