Here’s my field report on Il Latini, a Florence favorite famous for bistecca that draws both locals and travelers. The meat dishes lived up to the hype!
Below I’ll cover the vibe, what to expect when visiting, tips to keep in mind, and my honest impressions.
Il Latini — Essential Info
✓ Key details
- Address: Via dei Palchetti, 6R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
- Hours: Sat–Sun (12:30–14:30, 19:30–22:30); Tue–Fri (19:30–22:30)
- Closed: Monday
- Booking: online (official site) or phone (+39 055 210916)
- Official site: https://latinifirenze.com/
- Budget: ~€35–45 pp (without bistecca: ~€15–20 pp)
✓ Access
About a 6-minute walk from Santa Maria Novella toward the Arno.
Visit Report (Feb 2023)
Prices noted are as of Jan 2025.
Do you need a reservation?
We went without a booking, arriving around 19:15 (doors at 19:30). About 30 people were already waiting.
Most were reserved, but we were still seated as walk-ins.
Dinner effectively runs in two waves—19:30 and 21:30—so dropping in outside those times can be tough.
If you want a sure thing, book ahead via the official site.
This was just after 21:00 as we left—the second seating crowd was forming.
Atmosphere
Memorable ceiling lined with hanging prosciutti. Warm wood chairs and shelving, crisp white tablecloths, and lime-washed walls make for a cozy, classic trattoria feel.
Framed art and photos add charm, and there’s playful decor—corkscrews, bottles, even a football. You can watch prosciutto being sliced at the counter near the entrance.
What we ordered & impressions
Prosciutto Toscano (PROSCIUTTO TOSCANO)
✓ Price
€11
Zero-miss starter: silky, almost melting at room temp. A perfect wine companion.
Florentine tripe (TRIPPA ALLA FIORENTINA)
✓ Price
€17
No photo, but it was clean-tasting and very approachable—home-style comfort. Good, though not a “must repeat” for me.
Penne strascicate (wild-boar meat sauce)
✓ Price
€14
Tuscan ragù style and an absolute must-eat. I didn’t expect a meat sauce to wow me—this one did. I’d go back just for this. The paccheri al cinghiale is also popular; I’ll try that next time.
Beef tenderloin bistecca (FILETTO COTTO AL CARBONE 350/400G)
✓ Price
€35
We’d been having bistecca alla fiorentina for days, so we split the smaller tenderloin cut—and of course ordered it rare.
Even if deeply rare isn’t your usual, this was superb: tender and juicy, finished simply with coarse rock salt that added a great crunch against the fine fibers of the meat.
Nice touch: the steak came on a heated iron plate to keep it warm—a sign of how seriously they take their beef.
Crème caramel (CREME CARAMEL)
✓ Price
€8
Solid and simple; for me, not a standout compared with the savory courses.
Wine (Casadei “Sogno Mediterraneo” Syrah 2020)
✓ Price
Didn’t note it—likely €20–30 a bottle on their list (retails for about ¥5,450 in Japan).
A Tuscan blend led by Syrah (with Grenache, Mourvèdre, etc.). Medium-bodied, balanced, and matched the dishes well—no sharp edges, just very drinkable.
They also have a downstairs wine cellar with a broad selection.
Service
Even though the team was slammed, service was friendly and upbeat. I had no negative impressions of the hospitality.
Overall Verdict & Who It’s For
✓ Rating
Il Latini — ★4.5
I’d happily return. Next time I’ll arrive hungrier and go from pasta straight through a full bistecca alla fiorentina.
✓ Best for
- Meat lovers craving Florence classics: bistecca and hearty meat pastas
- Diners who value atmosphere as well as flavor
- Those who prefer a safe, proven choice
If rock-bottom prices are your priority, this might not be the very cheapest. But for delicious, distinctly Florentine meat dishes in a lively setting, it’s easy to recommend.
✓ Good occasions
- Dinner with family or friends
- Casual business meals
It’s lively rather than formal, so not ideal for very buttoned-up occasions.
✓ Notes
- The restaurant is fairly large, but reservations are still wise.
- Bistecca here is typically rare. Requests for other doneness may be declined—if you dislike rare, choose other dishes.
✓ Key details (again)
- Address: Via dei Palchetti, 6R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
- Hours: Sat–Sun (12:30–14:30, 19:30–22:30); Tue–Fri (19:30–22:30)
- Closed: Monday
- Booking: official site or phone (+39 055 210916)
- Official site: https://latinifirenze.com/
- Budget: ~€35–45 pp (without bistecca: ~€15–20 pp)
That’s my Il Latini visit report!
Related reading
- Florence Cheap Eats (Sit-Down): 5 Affordable Restaurants Locals Love
- What to Eat in Florence: 7 Must-Try Dishes & Where to Go
Thanks for reading!