Il Grande Nuti Trattoria — Restaurant in Florence

Absolutely horrendous service and management - one of our worst dining experiences ever in Italy.

We didn’t make a reservation and walked in at 8pm, the front of house told us it would be approximately 30-40 minutes wait which we thought was acceptable so we decided to wait. At around 8:40pm we asked if it was almost our turn and she told us there were two more tables until our turn. At around 9pm we checked again and she told us “another few minutes”. We finally got in at 9:20pm. While we were waiting, we were observing how this whole system was managed - basically every group that made a booking also had to wait for a long time, and even though there were consistently people coming out, there were clearly not enough staff members to clear and set tables. At the same time they were not rejecting any walk ins and kept telling everyone the same wait time - 30-40 mins for two and 1 hour-1 hour 15 mins for bigger groups which was obviously not accurate. Every time someone asked if their table was ready soon the front of house would say “another few minutes”. If they had been a bit more realistic with the wait times, we would definitely have opted to go somewhere else.

After we got our table we wanted to order as soon as possible because we also observed a lot of seated guests waiting for 30 minutes+ for their food to be served, but again the waitress said “few minutes”. We tried to order again and the waitress eventually came over and said “ma’am I know you are in a rush but I have other things to do” so I said okay take your time, and she then started bitching about us to another couple seated right next to us about how we were being pushy. We then finally ordered two starters, two mains and a side dish - she did not ask if we preferred to have starters first then the mains, or to have all the dishes to be served at the same time (which she did with other tables). After she took our order, I saw her whispering something to another waiter while pointing at us. Around 15 minutes later, everything we ordered came at the same time. It then became very clear to us that she had told the other waiter to tell the kitchen to rush out everything at the same time for us. How ironic that the kitchen actually had the ability to do this when some tables had to wait for ages to get their food.

The waitress who served us had terrible attitude overall. We asked a couple questions about the menu e.g. what’s the difference between two pastas which had similar names, to which she responded in a very dismissive attitude “different meat sauces” - I had to ask again what the difference between the meat sauces was and she eventually explained “one is ground beef and one is beef chunks”. When our “vegetable soup” arrived, it didn’t look like a regular soup (we are not familiar with Tuscan cuisine - it’s called ribollita in Italian) so I asked “just wanted to confirm this is the vegetable soup?” And she responded in an extremely condescending attitude “uh yes this is a very typical dish here, that’s what it’s like”.

The food itself was fine - but given the price point and the fact that the restaurant was seemingly higher end, coupled with the terrible service and extremely long wait time, it was just not worth it AT ALL. Not to mention the mains were hardly enjoyable because they served everything at the same time so the mains got cold very fast. We definitely would not recommend this restaurant to anyone...

Il Grande Nuti Trattoria offers a truly authentic Florentine dining experience, blending warm hospitality with outstanding food. One of the first things that captures your attention is the visual appeal from the street: the staff cook fresh dishes in the front windows, an inviting spectacle that draws curious passersby. Tourists often stop to film and take photos, and it’s easy to see why—there’s something captivating about watching pasta and sauces come together before your eyes. Inside, the trattoria provides a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. The seating area is spacious yet intimate, with a relaxed charm that makes you want to linger over your meal. The staff here deserve special mention; they are consistently friendly, attentive, and genuine, creating an environment that feels both professional and personal. As for the food, it is exceptional. The Pici pasta was a standout dish—thick, hand-rolled noodles coated in a sauce that was bursting with spice and flavour. The seasoning struck a perfect balance, bold without being overwhelming, and the portion size was generous, leaving me thoroughly satisfied. Equally impressive was the fusilli with pesto, which was beautifully prepared. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the pesto clung to each piece in just the right amount, ensuring every bite was rich and aromatic. To finish, the cake was a delightful surprise: moist, flavourful, and the perfect sweet ending to the meal. It reflected the same care and quality as the savoury courses, rounding out an already memorable dining experience. Overall, Il Grande Nuti Trattoria stands out not just for the quality of its food, but for the complete experience it offers. From the theatre of the kitchen windows to the generosity of the portions and the warmth of the staff, it embodies what a great trattoria should be. If you’re in Florence and looking for a meal that combines flavour, atmosphere, and hospitality, this is a place you won’t...

We just arrived in Italy after long travels from SoCal to Rome and Rome to Florence. We were tired and this place was near our apartment. We saw the handmade pasta in the window and, given the touristly area, were worried there would be a "tourist trap" catch, but it was our first meal in Italy and we were tired and hungry, and thought, "what the heck?"

We made a reservation online literally minutes before we entered, it didn't matter as we walked in with a smile and were given a table immediately without them looking at the reservation list (but apparently reservations are highly encouraged -- see other reviews). We were surprised at the high-end, modern decor and clean atmosphere. Most patrons appeared to be non-Italian but appeared to really be enjoying their meals.

For dinner, we were starving and the staff were super helpful navigating vegetarian options on the menu for us. The handmade pici "cacio" pasta was for our kids and before we knew it, the chef was finishing the pasta dish in the cheese wheel in the front window of the restaurant. We watched in amazement as this hot, bubbly, cheesy dish was finished and brought to the table. I can honestly say -- and I've seen my kids eat lots of dessert -- that I've never seen them eat a dish with as much gusto and enthusiasm as that pici cacio e pepe. It was so so so good. Al dente, perfectly cheesy, steaming hot. So good.

The rest of the meal delivered as well -- the fresh tortelloni, risotto (was OK, underseasoned but still cooked perfectly), as well as the abundant bread and side salad + veggies.

If you're in Florence, near Duomo and wandering, look no further than Il Grande Nuti. Get online, book a reservation and show up. You will be impressed and have a great memory and an amazing meal. And don't pass on the...