Food Tours in Florence (Best Pasta, Pizza, Wine)

Florence is not only the birthplace of the Renaissance and a beautiful city full of history and art. It’s a city with culinary traditions that date back to medieval times. A city of great wine, juicy grilled meats, delicious truffle pasta and olive oil!

With so many tempting delicacies, you’ll never leave Florence hungry. In fact, you’ll probably need to have a second breakfast or lunch (like I did), because there are so many foods to try!

Florence is the capital city of Tuscany, a region famous for its red wine, Chianti. In addition, you’ll find plenty of tasty regional foods like Pecorino cheese, olive oil and cantucci (almond cookies). Of course, the picture is not complete without the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina (steak), panino lampredotto (sandwich with cow’s stomach) and Papardelle al Cinghiale (pasta with wild boar ragu).

As a huge foodie and wine lover, taking a food tour is a must for me, especially if I’m visiting Italy. I won’t lie if I say that food is the main reason behind my trips to the country of La Dolce Vita!

Looking for a walking food tour that combines the best of the regional cuisine? Then take a look at the Florence Sunset Food Tour. You’ll sample artisanal truffle cheese, cured local meats and learn how to cook the perfect Bistecca alla Fiorentina!

This walking sunset food tour will guide you to the most authentic eateries and wine bars in the capital of Tuscany. You’ll experience the aperitivo o’clock while tasting Negroni, Florence’s most famous cocktail. Then you’ll continue your food journey with some artisanal truffle cheese and cured local meats, all paired with wine.

Watch a live cooking demonstration of the famous Bistecca alla Fiorentina and then try one yourself! Finish the dinner with a typical Tuscan dessert – Vin Santo and biscotti.
Why book – sample fine Chianti wines, Negroni making demo, a cooking demonstration of Florentine steak

Food tours are an excellent way to discover and sample regional delicacies. The best part is that besides the regular pizza and pasta, you’ll have the possibility to try local foods that you probably wouldn’t order by yourself. Yes, I’m talking about crostini neri (bread slices with chicken liver patè) and panino lampredotto (sandwich with cow’s stomach). They don’t sound so appealing, but wait till you try them!

My advice is to take a Florence food tour in the first days of your trip to Tuscany. In this way, you’ll find out what foods are to your liking, so you can enjoy them again during the rest of your vacation.

There are plenty of food tours to help you discover the best dishes in Tuscany. To help you choose the perfect one for you, I made this list of the best food tours in Florence. You’ll find something for every taste – from a street food tour and cooking classes to wine tasting in an authentic vineyard.

Best food tours in Florence, Italy

• Authentic Evening Wine & Food Tour
• Florence Sunset Food Tour
• The Other Side of Florence Food Tour
• Street Food Tour
• Wine Tasting Tour
• Authentic Florence Home-Cooking Class
• Pizza & Gelato Making Class in Oltrarno
• Wine Tasting Tour to Tuscany
• Tuscany Truffle Hunt – A Culinary Adventure

This tour takes you to the charming neighbourhood of Oltrarno, the Florentine equivalent of Paris’ Left Bank. It is focused on unique Tuscan dishes that are popular amongst the locals.

You’ll sample Finocchiona (fennel-spiced salami), seasonal stew and the legendary lampredotto sandwich! Learn how to make cantuccini (Italian biscotti) and enjoy tasting a freshly baked batch. All places that you’ll visit are authentic and family-owned for generations.
Why book – sample unique Tuscan dishes, the famous Chianti wine and gelato, cookie-baking demonstration

If your idea of a good food tour includes a visit to a local market, then this is the perfect option for you. Explore the colourful stalls selling vegetables, fruits, and meat at a local market and sample some of the best products.

You will also discover the historic centre and its major attractions while trying delicious food specialities. Cantuccini, schiacciata (flat Italian bread) with balsamic vinegar, fresh homemade pasta – these are some of the many tasty dishes that are waiting for you!
Why book – visit a market and taste local food specialities, a tour of the historic centre and major attractions is included

A visit to Florence is not complete without sampling the famous Chianti wine. This is best experienced in a vineyard in the Tuscan countryside (see my recommendations at the end of the article). Yet, if you’re short on time, this wine-tasting tour is a great alternative.

You’ll taste a variety of Italian wines at an authentic enoteca in the heart of Florence. All wines are specially selected by an expert sommelier. In addition to this, your sommelier will guide you through the history of wine-making in Tuscany.
Why book – taste fine wines and olive oil, accompanied by Tuscan cheeses and salami, the tour is led by an expert sommelier

Cooking is the best way to revive the memories of your trip to Tuscany. So, why don’t you learn some Italian cooking skills that you can use again and again back home?

All you need to do is to join this home-cooking experience led by a local Tuscan chef. Under his guidance, you’ll learn how to make pasta from scratch as well as the sauces to go with it (including homemade pesto).
Why book – enjoy antipasti with sparkling wine, learn how to make pasta from scratch and the famous Florentine dessert

If you’re a pizza lover, look no further and book this cooking class led by a professional chef. You’ll learn all the secrets of making the perfect pizza base using only fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

Craving for a dessert? Well, this cooking workshop got you covered. You’ll not only learn the difference between real and fake gelato but also prepare two delicious flavours by yourself!
Why book – family-friendly experience, learn how to make pizza and gelato like a local 

Uffizi Gallery – the most popular museum in Florence (5,600 visitors per day). Lines are always long and tickets are valid for a certain time slot. So, be prepared and book in advance your Uffizi Gallery ticket here.

Galleria dell’Accademia – the city’s second most popular museum. Tickets are again timed entry, specifically for the date you booked. You can book your Galleria dell’Accademia ticket here.

Florence Cathedral – the cathedral is free to visit, but you have to pay if you want to climb the dome. Tickets are timed and often sold out for the day, so book your Duomo ticket here in advance.

It’s time to take a break from sightseeing and head to the beautiful countryside with its rolling hills. This wine tasting day trip from Florence is not to be missed, especially if you’re a wine lover!

You’ll visit two of the most renowned wineries in Tuscany and discover the secrets of winemaking. There, you’ll enjoy tasting different wines and olive oils paired with cheese and salami.
Why book – visit 2 authentic wineries in the countryside, tasting of different fine wines paired with local foods

To spend a magical evening in a Tuscan vineyard, check out this Wine Tasting and Dinner in the Vineyards of Chianti. This tour offers the best of Tuscany – wine tasting and a delicious dinner under the stars at a Chianti estate.

If you’re looking for a truly unique experience, book the Tuscany Truffle Hunt. It’s a once in a lifetime experience!

Escape the city and spend a day in the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Follow the specially trained dogs in search of truffles, they will make sure you won’t leave without finding some. After the hunt, enjoy the fruits of your labour – homemade pasta with truffles along with some cured meats and cheeses.
Why book – truffle hunt with dogs in the forest, a home-cooked meal with truffles at a cosy Tuscan farm

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About the author

	Milena Yordanova
	I’m a full-time travel blogger based in Sofia, Bulgaria. I love to travel and to discover new places, cultures and food. I’m an expert in travel planning and I am here to help you plan your dream vacation.

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