Il Barroccio Antica Osteria in Metropolitan City of Florence

"We tried so many places in Florence, but this one has the best pasta ever! 100% recommend! Giovanni, the owner, is amazing, super friendly and such fun to talk to"

"My wife and I first found this little restaurant by accident in 2022. We had just finished visiting the Bargello Museum and were hungry for lunch. My wife had been searching everywhere in Italy for a good risotto that didn’t use truffle oil. It seemed like every place added truffle, and she doesn’t like that. We walked in and asked the man working there, and he immediately said, “No! A real Florentine does not use truffle oil in risotto!” After that passionate answer, my wife knew this was the right place. She ordered a simple asparagus risotto, and it became her favorite risotto in the world. I had a seafood ravioli that was excellent too. We loved it so much we went back a second time before that trip ended. When we returned to Florence in November 2025 with a large group, we ended up eating at Il Barroccio three times—and every meal was wonderful. It has truly become our favorite restaurant in Florence. The restaurant is run by a small team: Mr. Giovanni at the front and his wife cooking in the back. He is passionate, honest, and very serious about how real Italian food should be prepared and enjoyed. This place is local, authentic, and full of character. If you follow Giovanni’s advice, you’ll experience something special. We celebrated my birthday here with 15 people. We didn’t even set a menu—Giovanni simply brought out the dishes he thought we should have, and everything was perfect. The artichoke pasta was so incredible that I don’t think I’ll ever taste anything like it again. Gianni(I hope I spelled his name correctly) has become a friend, and I will return as often as I can. I highly, highly recommend this place."

"The food was so so good!! I craved carbonara the whole day and he made it perfectly. The service was also fantastic!! Only i would have loved some background music but the rest was amazing!! The tiramisu was also wonderfull!!!!!"

"We went to Il Barroccio for dinner per a suggestion from someone who lives in Firenze and we can say we are glad we listened. As soon as we walked in the door we received a warm welcome from Giovanni. We were seated in a window seat and immediately engaged in polite conversation. He spoke Italian and English. The menu was all in Italian but Giovanni explained all the items and even asked what dishes we were looking to try. We saw some reviews that complained about the menu being in Italian, which I don’t understand… we are in Italy, but I digress. Our dishes were prepared to perfection and the authenticity was very apparent. My husband is half Italian and was VERY happy with our meal. We are even thinking we should travel back to Italy just to have a meal here again. Giovanni thank you for opening up your restaurant to us, it felt like we were dining at your home. Your hospitality made our trip to Firenze that much nicer! We DEFINITELY recommend!"

"What a fantastic restaurant. Delicious home style Italian food with fresh produce. The service is very gentle and welcoming. Beautiful hidden gem of Florence."

"My wife and I first discovered this restaurant on our honeymoon in 2010—almost by accident. We had hoped to dine across the street at Acqua al 2, but it was completely full. Hungry and a little defeated, we crossed the street and walked into what turned out to be one of the best decisions of our entire trip. That night, I learned a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since: tourist restaurants are exactly that—for tourists. When you want food that’s authentic, soulful, and prepared with genuine care, you come to places like this. Gianni has been running this restaurant for many years, and it shows in every detail—from the warmth of the welcome to the confidence and heart in the food. As an Italian-American and someone who has spent a great deal of time traveling throughout Italy, I can honestly say this is one of my favorite restaurants in the entire country. Gianni’s personality and hospitality make you feel like a regular from the moment you walk in, but it’s the food that truly stays with you—simple, honest, and absolutely wonderful. We’ve returned many times over the years, and each visit reinforces what we felt that very first night. I’m genuinely grateful that the restaurant across the street was too full, because otherwise I might never have discovered this place. If you’re visiting Florence and want a meal that feels real, personal, and unforgettable, make this one of your stops. Your trip will be better for it."

"Best meal I’ve had so far in Italy! Giovanni was absolutely amazing with the service! The gnocchi was great! The carbonara was sooo good! The risotto was wow! Highly highly recommend! AMAZING HOSPITALITY which made the experience even better. True Italian experience!!"

"We arrive in Florence by train it was my niece and I 1 st time to Florence.We checked into our hotel La Maison Du Sage asked for food recommendations. Checked into our room looked up the menu of the 3 different restaurants and decided on Ristorante ll Barroccio .We were just a couple of steps away from the place . We walked in ,and we felt at home.. Giovanni (I hope I spelled right) treated us like he knew us. We were hungry and we wanted wine.We order un litro di vino della casa ( 1 liter of house red wine). Which is bigger than a bottle of wine . It was delicious and perfect. Yes we drank the whole litro. For dinner I had ravioloni al radicchio e pancetta croccante (ravioli with crispy bacon and aka Italian chicory).My meal was cooked to perfection the pasta was so flavorful.The temperature of the food was fantastic.Cannot say enough of the taste . My niece ordered ravioli all’ aragosta e code di gamberi ( lobster ravioli and shrimp tails).We also had to try the Fiorentina Steak it’s a famous Tuscan steak so please try it. It too was perfect.We also split 1 order spinaci saltati (sautéed spinach). For desert we split 1 panna cotta ai mirtilli - I will try to make at home.It was such an experience. Giovanni spoke English ,Spanish, and of course Italian. My niece mainly spoke to him in English and when he told the story of him growing up working with his family on a farm ,and saying cooking good, healthy ,what is in season food is in his blood.He told the story in English with passion and pride. I hope everyone who goes there has as good experience as my niece and I.Yes we went back the next day. Didn’t eat or drink as much as we did the 1st night."