Zeb In Firenze

Zeb operates on a first come first serve basis at lunch time, which is fortunate because I imagine they are often booked out far in advance for the dinner hours. Needless to say, whether you’re walking in or booking ahead, aim to be early. Our party of three was among the first to arrive, and we were promptly seated. One should note that there is no bad seating at Zeb. The counter style seating arrangement ensures that all diners have a similar experience — which begins with Chef Alberto taking your wine order and going through the day’s menu. At this point, I feel compelled to mention that we found Chef Alberto to be nothing short of welcoming and pleasant. I can’t imagine him being otherwise — unless, perhaps, one were to request a substitution, which would understandably be frustrating given how deliberately his menu is composed each day. Regretfully, I did not get any pictures of the meal for this review, but that’s because I was so absorbed by the Pici al Ragu di Manzo in front of me, and later the Trippa alla Fiorentina — both of which were perfect. To end, I’ll simply recommend that you trust the Michelin Guide, which has consistently included Zeb in its yearly Bib Gourmand list. And as for the food itself — trust Chef Alberto; he knows exactly what belongs on the plate.

A very nice little restaurant, the food is excellent. Make sure you reserve early. Pasta with Alba truffles is fantastic, and the braised dishes are fantastic, especially the ossombucco is sensational. Appreciate this excellent cuisine, you'll be rewarded. Thank you very much 😘

My husband and I went here for our last night in Florence and we were blown away. Incredible dishes at a more than fair price with an eccentric, but laid back atmosphere. This place is ran by a mother and son duo that has exquisite taste in cuisine. I had the pear ravioli to start and cow tongue for the main. I’m usually not that adventurous with meat, but that was one of the best beef dishes I’ve ever had. Be sure to make a reservation here on your next trip to Florence, you will not be disappointed!

Everything is excellent, always perfect, and cooked traditionally, yet with personality. Above all, it's very digestible. A wide selection of excellent wines. It's my favorite restaurant in the area.

A very special place, especially when you want something very local that isn't just another trattoria. It hasn't become famous among mass tourists, which is appreciated. Run by its owners, Alberto and his mother, Josefine. Impeccable service and attention. Their wine, a Super Tuscan, is of high quality.

Definitely one of the best culinary experiences of this trip. The chef was very friendly and guided us through the menu. The food was exquisite, with a modern twist while remaining traditional. The chocolate cake is simply the best chocolate dessert I've ever had.

We had a wonderful experience until walking out when the chef became upset with us for taking a photo of the bottle of wine we drank. He said “no photos, we are a restaurant, not a wine shop” in an upset tone. The chef selected the wine for us so we did not know what we were drinking. We greatly enjoyed the wine and wanted to remember what we drank. If ever we saw it for sale we would purchase it and remember the wonderful meal we had. Anywhere else would see that as a compliment. I don’t get why the chef was so offended and why he would speak to customers that way.

I've known and frequented ZEB for over 10 years, located in the San Niccolo neighborhood of Florence. It's now become an institution. Giuseppina and Andrea, mother and son, have created a highly original formula that offers patrons an unusual yet extremely pleasant and tasty experience! When describing the place to someone, I always tell them to imagine a bar with a contemporary yet warm and welcoming design, where behind the bar, instead of shaking cocktails, splendid dishes are prepared, to be enjoyed around the bar, seated on high stools and surrounded by a selection of wines and niche food products. As for the cuisine, it's the realm of handmade pasta, where cappellaccio reigns supreme. Stuffed with pumpkin, pear, truffle, or in other delicious variations, it's the undisputed star of the menu, alongside carefully prepared traditional first and second courses and desserts with a touch of healthy modernity, such as the "non-fried" parmigiana and the "not too sweet" desserts. A must-try!

Ignore the haters who expect to be greeted with plastic perma-smiles like they’re at Chuck E. Cheese. This place is legit.

It might be a bit confusing, but Koreans, please read this review before you visit. This is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, so reservations are required and you should be on time. This is so the chef can personally explain the menu and ensure the first and second courses are served on time. We made a dinner reservation and visited. We took a photo of the menu outside the restaurant in advance, received a description via ChatGP, and were able to decide what to order beforehand. After arriving, the chef will personally hold the menu and explain it to you in English, but you won't have much time to decide what to order. I recommend planning ahead. The chef can recommend wine, or you can choose your own. There are only one table for four and a bar, so if you're a couple, you'll likely sit at the bar. We chose porcini spaghetti and sweet pumpkin ravioli as our first course, and, as expected, the food was superb. During our 10-day, 9-night trip to Italy, the porcini spaghetti at Zeb was the highlight for me. Perhaps it's because porcini mushrooms are in season? The rest of the dishes were also beautifully prepared in the local style, so don't worry. I tried the lamb tripe dish for the experience, but I wish I had ordered something else. But experience is key, so I have no regrets. The ordering process may be a bit different from typical Italian restaurants, which can be stressful, but I don't think that's a factor in lowering the restaurant's rating. The fact that the chef personally explains his dishes is a testament to his professionalism. If you're in Florence, I highly recommend visiting.