I have been researching for weeks and am overwhelmed with options so TexAgs please help me find a few places for dinner in these cities. Most of our meals are already decided but I need one more dinner in each city for our trip next month. Not looking for fine dining, just some great spots that encompass the local cuisine

In Florence, Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco. Cinghiale is boar in Italian, dishes made with it is their specialty. It's close to the Arno, a bit west of the Ponte Vecchio.

In London, my recent favorite dinners were at Gymkhana and The Quality Chop House.

Also really liked Koyn and LPM.

il Mercato Centrale Firenze
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, Via dell'Ariento, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

It's a food court.

If you happen to enjoy or are open to Indian food, Dishoom in London has never disappointed. 3 locations (maybe more).

We also like Chai Wu in Harrods. Bring your high limit credit card for when the bill arrives, but before that you will have enjoyed some incredible food.

I thought Dishoom in London was amazing. Raised the bar for me on what Indian food actually is vs the krap in Texas.

Just got back from a trip to Paris and Florence. The best meal we had was at La Buchetta in Florence. We got the Steak Florentine and the gnocchi. Their gnocchi was the best thing we ate all trip.

In Paris, we like Le Souffl . They serve souffls obviously, but also have other items.

Last time I was in Paris I really enjoyed Brasserie Flottes. The duck confit was excellent. We ate there twice in the 5 days we were in Paris. It's near all the tourist stuff but it's not a tourist trap.

Never been to Paris, but if I find myself there a croquet monfuah would be the first thing I ordered.

In Paris, Chez L'Ami Louis is a famous restaurant that is impossible to get into. Which is probably a good thing. We thought it was way overpriced and the food was not that good. Avoid this place. Tons of other great spots in that city.

https://www.bouillon-chartier.com/en/the-concept/

Le Volpi e l'uva - Florence - Fantastic for wine and appetizers before dinner.
Ristorante del ***ioli - Florence - Delicious spot that we enjoyed for lunch. Food was incredible and we were the only tourists.

in Paris: Le Relais de l'Entrecote

Trattoria Za Za in Florence

Le Relais de l'Entrecote

This is a must when in Paris

hotwing said:

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Le Relais de l'Entrecote

This is a must when in Paris

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The wait time alone (probably average an hour to 1.5 hours at their locations in Paris and London) automatically make it not a MUST in my opinion. It's very good but there's a lot of very good Steak Frites in Paris.

ATM9000 said:

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hotwing said:

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Le Relais de l'Entrecote

This is a must when in Paris

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The wait time alone (probably average an hour to 1.5 hours at their locations in Paris and London) automatically make it not a MUST in my opinion. It's very good but there's a lot of very good Steak Frites in Paris.

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Didn't wait nearly that long any time I've been, and no way I would ever wait that long

Planning on hitting their baguette location for a steak frites sandwich for lunch for this very reason. Will go to other places for dinner where I can snag reservations

07ag said:

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ATM9000 said:

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hotwing said:

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Le Relais de l'Entrecote

This is a must when in Paris

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The wait time alone (probably average an hour to 1.5 hours at their locations in Paris and London) automatically make it not a MUST in my opinion. It's very good but there's a lot of very good Steak Frites in Paris.

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Didn't wait nearly that long any time I've been, and no way I would ever wait that long

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I have never waited that long. But yes, it should be noted that there might be a line and you cannot make reservations. If I remember correctly, if you get there at opening (a little before) it's not that bad of a wait.

A couple of food specific thoughts:

I love cassoulet, and in my opinion the best in Paris is L'Assiete. D' chez eux is also really good.

There is so much good food in Florence that it's kind of stupid, but for a bistecca fiorentina I would go to Buca Lapi. The white beans there are also not to be missed.

Ristorante Buca Mario in Florence. Best steak I've ever had.

In Florence, All'Antico Vinaio for a cheap but great sandwich on pecorino spread.

outstanding sandwiches. and there are a few locations too. the lines are long but it moves pretty good.

we also loved Pizzeria totto atto, pinos sandwiches, trattoria boboli, gustapanino

We had a wonderful Italian meal at Da Mario in Covent Garden.
In Paris, we really enjoyed La Jacobine.

I recommend reservations at both. We did walk up to Da Mario so it is possible. Both of these recommendations we had our kids with us. Neither are fine dining, just good food.


Nothing really stands out to me in Florence. We ate good not great all over Italy. My wife and I had just starting exploring Michelin star on that trip; which I think is a big mistake when traveling international.

How did you get reservations to La Jacobine? Did you have to make them in person?

arrow said:

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We had a wonderful Italian meal at Da Mario in Covent Garden.
In Paris, we really enjoyed La Jacobine.

I recommend reservations at both. We did walk up to Da Mario so it is possible. Both of these recommendations we had our kids with us. Neither are fine dining, just good food.


Nothing really stands out to me in Florence. We ate good not great all over Italy. My wife and I had just starting exploring Michelin star on that trip; which I think is a big mistake when traveling international.

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Can you explain why international Michelin star restaurants are a big mistake?

i don't understand this either.

i thought florence was great for its charm, quality, and simplicity in the food. nothing was five star that we went to, but even the one or two spots that didn't wow us were still scratch made or family run spots that we appreciated.

we spent time in milan too on our trip, and while we ate great there we also felt like florence was a bit better overall

Restaurante Il Barrochio in Florence.

Get the Pear Gorganzola Gnocchi.

We made reservations before we were in Paris. Either online or through their contact us page. I can't remember, but I know we had lunch reservations well before our trip.

"Big mistake" is likely too strongly worded. Especially if you're a foodie!

What we've noticed in Rome, Florence, Venice, Athens, London, Tokyo, etc...is that we much prefer the cultural experience and the food in more "normal" restaurants. I honestly haven't been to many Michelin star restaurants because I've been disappointed each time. The street food in cites like Athens, Florence, and Japan have been excellent. Whereas we've actually left a Michelin star in Rome still hungry and asked the cab driver to take us another restaurant.

I love eating super elaborate fancy meals. But I seem to enjoy them more closer to home, when the meal is the primary experience, not the culture or location.

My $.02. And I'm probably doing it wrong.

Sorry for the derail OP!