Buca Lapi — Restaurant in Florence

Food in Florence and Tuscany is pretty outstanding, but dinner at this renowned Florencian Steakhouse with owner and Chef Luciano will be one of the most memorable meals you'll have!

This restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists. Reservations are required but are available online. Easily booked several weeks in advance, especially during peak season, you will definitely want to plan accordingly! Luckily, I came during mid-May and only needed a table for 1 so I was able to squeeze in a reservation just 2 days prior.

The restaurant has a lovely ambiance! The decor is simple, elegant yet homey. Not pretentious or stuffy, but still sophisticated and neighborly. It's a great balance of fine dining meets home cooking! You get a peak into the kitchen and the restaurant is divided into 2 main dining rooms and a couple of tucked away private areas.

Since it's a steakhouse, food is focused on meats but there are also several other options including seafood and pasta. I highly doubt you can go wrong with any choices here. Food is prepped daily, produce is always local, and there are always daily specials.

I had the handmade pasta with peas and wild boar meat sauce, steak for 1, side of fried green beans, local house red wine, and chocolate torte. The pasta was perfection! Warm, buttery, with immense flavor but not overpowering. Simple but tasty! The steak was by far one of the best I'd ever had! I clearly couldn't finish it but I ate it 2 days later, cold and could cut it with a butter knife! It was divine! I don't drink wine in the US b/c I have a severe allergy to alcohol but I was able to tolerate this lovely house red that was so smooth. Chocolate torte is a house specialty made with no sugar, flour or eggs but tasted rich like chocolate ganache without all the refined ingredients, or the guilt!

Service was stellar and I was able to meet and chat with head Chef and owner Luciano to learn about this amazing restaurant but also witness his love for food! One of the tables was a return customer, 2 nights in a row and was hoping for a 3rd during their week long visit! If a group of 10 hopes to eat at the same restaurant 3 times in a week, clearly they're doing something right!

After dining here, I sent several other people I met during travel to this restaurant and all reported back with rave reviews! This by far was my best meal and Florence and one of the most wonderful dining experiences I've ever had in my life! I will always remember this wonderful meal and the amazing love and spirit that makes this food so delicious! If you're in Florence, I hope you don't miss out on this fabulous restaurant b/c it has a reputation...

Buca Lapi is a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Florence, Italy, and is renowned as the city's oldest restaurant. Steeped in history and tradition, this charming eatery offers a truly authentic dining experience that transports you back in time.

Upon stepping inside, guests are greeted by a unique and captivating interior design adorned with maps from various countries, adding a touch of old-world charm and sophistication. The ambiance is warm and inviting, creating the perfect setting for a memorable meal.

The menu at Buca Lapi is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to authenticity, featuring a range of classic Italian dishes prepared with the finest ingredients. One standout dish is the fettuccine, which has been praised by visitors as some of the best they've ever tasted. The pasta is cooked to perfection and generously coated in a rich, flavorful sauce that is sure to delight the taste buds.

For dessert, guests are treated to a mouthwatering array of sweet treats that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Each dessert is crafted with care and attention to detail, ensuring a perfect end to your meal.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Buca Lapi is its welcoming atmosphere. Despite its reputation and popularity, the restaurant is known for its hospitality and willingness to accommodate guests, even without a reservation. This level of service only adds to the overall exceptional dining experience at Buca Lapi.

In conclusion, Buca Lapi is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience authentic Italian cuisine in a truly unique setting. From the exquisite food to the charming ambiance, every aspect of this historic restaurant is sure to leave a...

I heard great things about this restaurant so we made an effort to visit on our trip to Florence. We were greeted by what seemed to be the owner (older Italian man). When he realized we didn’t have a reservation he rolled his eyes and shook his head at us, and then proceeded to “find us a spot” (there were multiple open tables for 2). We then watched him do the same thing to 4 other groups over the course of our dinner. This was extremely rude and unwelcoming, it made us feel very uncomfortable. It was obvious he made an effort to ignore us and the other 4 without reservations over the course of dinner, as if we had done him wrong. We then ordered steak for 1 and osso bucco. Both were good but the steak was very overpriced - it was $70 euro for a steak with no sides and wasn’t even cut for us. The other staff were very nice but ultimately we ate as quick as we could and left without ordering dessert as we were so turned off by the rude owner. I would not recommend going here. As an owner, you should be grateful to have tourists visiting your business, with or without a reservation. Especially when your restaurant...