Il Barroccio In Firenze

After a day walking in the cold rain, shoes soaked, we found this Gem. If you want an AUTHENTIC Florentine experience, here is the place. We tried many of the flashy touristy spots, consisting of bright lights, employees outside recruiting patrons, and Italian food made for Americans: salty with lots of cheese, steak topped with a bunch of fancy crap, Then have fun paying their outrageous prices. Realizing every restaurant has access to the same food from suppliers, I chose the one that lacks all their food touristy attractions, and did not charge tourist prices. Giovanni does not need to attract people; he is not looking to overcharge patrons, he seeks to serve unbelievable food. That the locals eat at home! He let me watch while he made everything fresh, and I mean everything: he rolled dough, cut strips for the pastas on order. No sauce pre-prepared, he cut the tomatoes on the spot and made the sauces When ordered. He served bistecca Florentino (steak) how it was done for hundreds of years. No fancy shavings of truffle like the tourist spots just to blow up the price, they would have ruined its beauty. The bill was small, worth so much more! and it was the best Italian meal I’ve had in this world. I’m planning a layover in Florence on my next trip anywhere in Europe or Asia. I’m a lifetime customer. It was basically food sex. Yes, I made a new term. I experienced food sex…. Fex

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!

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!!!!!

It seemed like the kind owner personally prepared and served the food. The noodles were all delicious, and I remember the ravioli being especially delicious. The oil pastas were also delicious. For dessert, I ordered tiramisu, and it was so delicious that I wanted to try panna cotta, but I couldn't because it was a seasonal menu, which was a shame. I think they take great pride in their menu. Ah, the portions were small, but two women ordered three pasta dishes. Since the data is not available, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the menu before going.

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.

I was in Florence this weekend, staying a stone's throw from Barroccio. We stopped for lunch as soon as we arrived. Giovanni welcomed us with courtesy and prepared two excellent first courses: radicchio and pancetta ravioli and artichoke fettuccine accompanied by two glasses of Chianti on tap. I would say it was excellent for a meal. We repeated the experience by eating an excellent Florentine steak, cooked to perfection. Excellent quality, it met our expectations. I highly recommend the place for a family-friendly place and traditional Florentine cuisine.

From the outside, the restaurant may seem uninviting, but the dining experience was a delightful surprise. The cod was excellent, as was the fillet with Gorgonzola, impeccably prepared. The blueberry panna cotta was also noteworthy, balanced and refined. Aldo recommended this restaurant at the end of a tour of the Florentine hills: a truly valuable tip. Compliments to Chef Giovanni, who demonstrates great skill and passion in the kitchen. A place definitely worth revisiting.

Authentic cuisine, attentive service, cozy ambiance. Dont get stuck in tourist traps - every bit of this place is incredible.

Excellent Florentine steak and the wild boar pici were delicious, and the tiramisu was also excellent. The owner was kind and helpful.

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.