Strongly recommended by locals

❤️❤️❤️Even though it's been nearly two months, I still can't get this steak out of my mind, so I feel like I should post about it on Xiaohongshu! The restaurant was recommended by a friend who's lived in Florence for over twenty years and claimed it serves the "number one" steak in Florence. The old-fashioned bar decor, with stickers plastered all over the entrance, gives it a charming vibe. 😻😻😻I rarely eat rare beef, but my Florentine friend insisted I try it the way the restaurant prepares it, so I took the plunge. After we ordered, the waitress brought out the whole cut of raw beef for us to confirm before taking it straight to the grill. The steak, about 1-2 centimeters thick, was simply grilled and seasoned with salt until the exterior was slightly charred, while the inside remained red and juicy. For someone used to well-done steaks back home, this looked a bit intimidating at first, but the taste was exquisite! The contrast between the crispy exterior and the tender, succulent interior made for a rich and satisfying texture. The meat was incredibly tender, with no tough sinews, and the juices had a sweet aftertaste, completely free of any gaminess. The hint of sea salt was the perfect finishing touch—absolutely amazing! 😍😍😍The restaurant requires reservations. I couldn't get through on the Italian number, so I went there a day in advance to book a table. The owner was incredibly kind, remembering me the next day and kindly holding my spot even though I was late. The waitress was also very patient, enthusiastically using gestures with the menu when we didn't understand her Italian-accented English introduction. (I recently checked Google Maps and saw that the shop is temporarily closed, but you can save it and check back later! I truly believe this steak is worth every bit of the wait!) Price: My friend and I, both ladies, ordered a steak, a vegetable soup, and a dessert. We left very full, with an average cost of around 20€ per person. Restaurant Name: Trattoria Mario Address: Via Rosina, 2r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy (close to the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral) #Florence #FlorenceFoodGuide #FlorenceFoodie #FlorenceSteak #Steak