Florence in December feels quieter. Slower. The streets are colder, sure, but no less beautiful. If anything, the Christmas Festivities are even more spectacular. Twinkle lights go up. Shop windows glow. And the food shifts too. Instead of quick lunches or late-night gelato, people gather inside warm trattorias. Meals last longer. Flavours feel richer. There’s roasted meat, spiced wine, and thick soups. Even the sweets change.
This Festive Italian Christmas guide covers where to eat and what to try if you’re in Florence during Christmas. Not just the big feasts but the smaller moments too. Like warming up with affogato or wandering through a market with something hot in your hand. It’s all part of the season.
Few names evoke such deep loyalty in Florence as Cibrèo. Their constellation of eateries, Cibrèo Caffè, Cibrèo Trattoria, and the elegant Cibrèo Ristorante, are all some of the most delicious and charming spots to eat in the city!
During the holidays, they embrace the season with candlelight, refined Christmas menus, and standout events like their New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, featuring live DJ sets and optional wine pairings. If you want something deeply traditional, Cibrèo Ristorante is a strong pick for Christmas. The menu might not look familiar at first. That’s because many of the dishes come from older Florentine recipes that haven’t spread far beyond the city. It’s food tied closely to place, and you won’t find it just anywhere.
There are a few places in Florence that feel more cozy and Christmassy than at La Ménagère, where fairy lights, fresh blooms, and curated vintage accents create a dreamy, cinematic setting. It’s equal parts flower shop, lifestyle store, and restaurant, perfect for a casual coffee, lazy brunch or a festive dinner. Their winter menu leans modern Italian, with house-made pastas, seasonal veggies, and elegant desserts like pear tarts and chocolate fondants that feel as good as they look.
If you’re after a meal that feels like a true Christmas feast, Antico Ristoro di Cambi delivers. Tucked away in the San Frediano district, this cozy, wood-beamed trattoria serves up rich, traditional Tuscan dishes in a setting that glows with festive warmth. During the holidays, it’s dressed in charming seasonal decor, twinkling lights, garlands, and that unmistakable sense of old-world celebration.
Expect hearty plates like ribollita, wild boar stew, and their legendary bistecca alla Fiorentina, all perfect for a winter evening. Paired with a bold local red and followed by a slice of panforte or cantucci with vin santo, dinner here feels less like dining out and more like being welcomed to a Tuscan holiday table.
More than a meal, Teatro del Sale is part club, part theatre, part culinary temple. On Christmas Eve, the evening unfolds with a gospel performance under warm lights, matched by a buffet and multi-course, seafood-forward menu. Garganelli with prawns, risotto with cuttlefish, and a parade of desserts make it a spirited and emotional night, with food that sings almost as loud as the music.
Osteria Cacio e Vino all’Antico Borgo is a hidden gem, run by a passionate husband-and-wife team. The osteria seats only a handful of diners, making each meal feel intimate. Walter, the host, is warm and animated, and the food feels like a homemade Christmas dinner; slow-cooked featuring Florentine staples like peposo and tripe, it tastes like it came from someone’s nonna. Book ahead, especially during Christmas week.
Vini e Vecchi Sapori is a tiny, no-frills, and impossible to get into without a reservation; this place is beloved for a reason. The menu changes daily, but features exceptional dishes like ribollita, wild boar with polenta, and rustic desserts like cantucci and vin santo. The wine flows easily, and the servers are absolutely characters! The vibe is always merry and loud, just like Christmas morning! Come for a traditional Tuscan Christmas Eve supper that sticks to your ribs.
If you’re in Florence over the holidays and craving a proper coffee break, Ditta Artigianale is a great place to slow down, sit down, and savour some seasonal flavours. Ditta Artigianale leans into the season with playful holiday specials that go well beyond your usual espresso. Try the Panettone Latte, a warm mix of hazelnut, chocolate, and orange, or the Red Arabica cocktail, blending bitter aperitivo notes with Ethiopian coffee. And their Tuscan Tostettone, a toasted panettone sandwich with black cabbage, caprino, artichokes, orange chutney, and Prato mortadella, is one of the best sandwiches that feels like a compact Christmas dinner.
A true Christmas Day treat awaits at Da Giacomo, the elegant restaurant is nestled within Il Salviatino, a historic villa just outside Florence. Their Christmas prix-fixe menu is a parade of tradition: creamy chicken liver crostini, handmade cappelletti in capon broth, and a risotto layered with lobster, savoy cabbage, and just enough black kale to remind you you’re in Tuscany. Finish with rum-laced panettone cream or the classic version with mascarpone. Book well in advance to secure your spot!
Perched above the city, Villa Agape is a charming hideaway that feels like a Tuscan dream. Their Christmas lunch is set in a historic villa with panoramic views, and the experience is all about elegance and comfort. You’ll find traditional Tuscan fare served under vaulted ceilings: think tortellini in brodo, slow-cooked meats, and rustic desserts. Add in the crackle of a fireplace and a glass of Chianti, and you’re golden.
If you’re craving white-tablecloth elegance on Christmas Day, Hotel Brunelleschi ticks every box. Set inside a restored Byzantine tower, the setting is straight out of a fairy tale. Their holiday menus are refined yet hearty, expect foie gras starters, handmade tortelli, and roast meats with luxurious sauces. It’s upscale dining with old-world charm, perfect for a special occasion.
There’s no better place for a festive afternoon pick-me-up than Cafe Gilli, a Florence institution since the 1700s. Located in Piazza della Repubblica, it feels like stepping into a Belle Époque postcard. In December, the display cases are stacked with seasonal sweets, and the baristas serve hot chocolate so thick it practically stands up on its own. Ideal for a quiet moment in the heart of the city.
Homey, understated, and quietly confident, Club Culinario Toscano da Osvaldo is a place where food speaks for itself. The menu features truly unique but traditional Tuscan comfort food with a creative edge, thanks to Chef Damiano, one of the city’s most thoughtful cooks. He respects regional roots but isn’t afraid to play with flavour, using fresh local ingredients in ways that feel both familiar and unexpected.
You’ll find pappardelle with hare, roast guinea fowl, and seasonal contorni, but also harder-to-find dishes with deeper regional ties. One standout is a layered plate of braised veal shank with Roman pecorino, potatoes, and béchamel, a recipe from Maremma and Lazio that rarely appears on modern menus. For me, Christmas has always been about tradition, and this is THE spot for that!
Panettone is a classic Italian Christmas cake that began in Milan in the 15th century, likely born from a kitchen mishap that led to a sweet, fruit-filled bread called pan di Toni. Over time, it became known as panettone. Originally a luxury treat, it was made with rich ingredients like butter and eggs and shared among families at Christmas. Now a holiday staple, panettone is enjoyed with coffee, wine, or transformed into desserts like affogato.
For a traditional Italian festive treat, head to Leonardo Forno Biscottificio, known for its light, fragrant panettone in flavours like almond, apricot, and three-chocolate. Last year, they released a special Panettone della Gherardesca, created in collaboration with Chef Paolo Lavezzini and Pastry Chef Mariano Dileo. Inspired by the frescoed ceiling of the newly restored Palazzo Del Nero, the star-covered box is as beautiful as the panettone inside. Every year, their innovative Panettone, in flavour and design, is one of the best in Florence to sample during the holidays.ccccc
While gelato might not scream “winter” at first, there’s something undeniably cozy about sitting down at Vivoli, one of Florence’s most iconic gelaterias, and ordering an affogato. A scoop of creamy gelato is layered around he rim of a large espresso cup and dusted in pistachios, then drowned in a shot of hot espresso. It’s warm and creamy all at once, and a treat that feels especially festive this time of year. The roasted nut flavours, the rich coffee aroma, and the quiet warmth of the gelateria all come together to create a moment that’s indulgent yet comforting, like the Italian version of a holiday hug in a cup. Ideal for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up after a chilly walk through town or a sweet way to end a festive meal.
Christmas in Florence changes how you eat. Meals stretch longer, flavours feel deeper, and even simple things, a coffee, a slice of cake, carry more weight. It’s not about indulgence as much as comfort. Familiar ingredients show up in unexpected ways, and traditional dishes remind you that food here still follows the rhythm of the season. Whether it’s a festive dinner or something warm from a market stall, eating in Florence at Christmas feels grounded, generous, and just right for the time of year.
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