After studying in Florence, Italy for four months I have many favorite restaurants and bars I would recommend for students studying abroad. Florence offers every kind of cuisine one could imagine as well as clubs, bars, and lounges for nighttime activities.
If you want to go out to a nice dinner with your parents or for a special occasion I would recommend La Giostra. This restaurant boasts some of the best Italian food with a free sample of all the appetizers. The owner of the restaurant and his son will explain every delicacy as well as the different wine they offer.
The price range is a little more expensive than other restaurants; however, it is worth it. Be sure to make a reservation at least two days in advance, for the restaurant is rather small and very popular.
Another restaurant I prefer with a different ambiance is Golden View, Open Bar. This restaurant is on the Arno River so ask for a table with a view. It is a little more “touristy”/American but has a very large menu with some of the best food I’ve had in Florence. It has more of a romantic ambiance and the cheesecake is great.
For a little more casual restaurant I would suggest Mama Gina’s or Acqua Al Due. Mama Gina’s has all around great Italian food anything on the menu is fabulous. Acqua Al Due boasts the best steak in Florence. Famous for the “blueberry” and “balsamic steak”, as well as the “salad sampler”, students frequently visit this attraction. This restaurant is not as expensive as others but you would also need to make a reservation in advance. Also, Capacaccio has brunch on Sundays with all you can eat for twenty euros.
It is a great place to go after a night of partying.
With regards to Florence nightlife there is a wide range of places for students to go. If you prefer bars with more American students I would recommend Faces (on Monday nights) and Red Garter (on Tuesday nights). Faces has open bar for ten euros from 10pm until 12 pm. Then students usually leave at midnight and venture out to other clubs such as YAB or Dolce Zucharo. Red Garter has beer pong on Tuesday nights and karaoke. I really like Cole Boreto for a before bar activity.
This place has some of the best mojito drinks. Central Park and Space Electronic are very large, fun, clubs that students frequent on Thursdays and Saturdays. With many different levels and different kinds of music, anyone could find their niche and have fun there. Mojo is also a fun, classy, bar/lounge for people to go to before other clubs or bars. It has outdoor seating as well as delicious drinks.
These are just a few suggestions while dining and partying in Florence for American students.
There are also many books that suggest other restaurants and bars ranging from Mexican and Chinese food to discotheques. Overall, any bar or Italian restaurant will be a great experience. It is very hard to go wrong in this fabulous city.
By Toby Greenblatt
