GUSTARIUM — Restaurant in Florence

Our first evening in Florence, we walked around town and ended up in front of Gustarium. I had planned to visit here at some point after reading so many positive reviews on the Internet, so I was pleasantly surprised that we happened upon it. We had a great experience. The owner is very warm and friendly and very welcoming. He explained that we could choose several types of pizza and he would cut it all up in small pieces so we could all taste our choices. After we made our choices, he weighed it on a scale (all the pizza is the same price per pound), added some extra mozzarella cheese (and in some cases a little extra of the toppings), and warmed it in the oven. He then cut it in pieces and put it on a couple of round wooden boards and brought them to our table. The four of us ate all of it and went back for more. It was delicious! I asked him if he had any ice, knowing that since we were in Europe, the answer was probably no. He said no, but he could get some. I think I said, “that’s OK,” but a few minutes later someone brought him ice, and he brought a glass with ice to my table! I was so impressed that he did that!

One thing to note, it is a small shop with a few small high-top tables and chairs, and there’s no restroom. So if you are looking for table service, this doesn’t have it. But both times we went we were able to get a seat at a table with no problem.

On our second day in Florence, we tried a different pizza place that had really good reviews and had table service. The result? Wasn’t as good as this place and we paid about 50% more.

We went back to Gustarium on our third night around 7:30 – 8 o’clock and they were almost out of pizza for the night. We rolled with it and ordered from the choices that were there and were very happy with our pizza again. We saw several more people come in after us that weren’t able to eat, so come early for the best selection. Come early, it is so worth it

As for drinks, they serve water, soft drinks, beer, and wine, and their cooler was...

This place is awesome and has to be up there with the best pizza in the world. One of the best meals I’ve had in Europe and a must-do in Florence. I was sad when I started to fill up because I just wanted to keep eating!

The bases are the best I’ve ever had, tasty by themselves, not just a plain dough to support the toppings. And the toppings are so good.

Coming from Australia, we find it exhausting always stumbling into table service. We much prefer to order on arrival and get a drink and sit down and wait. And when we want more food or drinks we simply go and get them rather than fighting for a waiter’s attention. This was perfect for us.

I always found it very cheap for what it’s worth. We’ve paid double that amount for food and service that’s half as good in Italy.

The staff are awesome, super friendly and happy to speak English. We went back twice because once wasn’t enough and we were recognised and welcomed back, something that will never happen at the busier places in Florence.

If you’re after a traditional Italian pizza, or a romantic candle-lit Italian meal, this probably isn’t the place, but I guarantee this place will be better, more relaxed and a more authentic modern Italian experience.

Will definitely be back if ever back...

This was definitely a unique pizza/dining experience in Florence. We got there and there was a line out the door. We decided to wait and we're glad we did. They prepare the pizzas on what I can best describe as a sort of focaccia. They let it rise for 48 hours and then bake it prior to topping it. They then top this pizza with high quality ingredients. The pizzas are uncooked on the counter they cut it to your request, weight it, cook it, and serve it to you.

Now, is this really pizza? I don't know, but it's similar, delicious, and possibly better. The pizzas we had didn't have sauce on them, but they didn't need it. We had 4 different types of pizza.

Prosciutto, mozzarella, and lemon zest. Mozzarella, a good Italian ham of some sort, topped with smoked mozzarella and dried raspberries. Mozzarella, sweet peppers on a sun dried tomato crust. Mixed veggies (zucchini and onions) gorgonzola, and mozzarella.

All 4 we're outstanding, portioned well and delicious.

The 2 guys making the pizzas were clearly enjoying themselves serving samples of the ingredients to everyone in line and keep wine glasses full. Definitely a top spot in Florence, or...