Mattacena — Restaurant in Florence

I’m really upset by my experience at this restaurant. It started when I ordered a cappuccino, not realizing it was wrong to do so at dinner. It was literally on the menu, so I had no idea it would be an issue. The waiter gave me a major side-eye, making me feel uncomfortable, like I’d done something wrong. That awkwardness carried on throughout the meal—he didn’t check on us once, even though we were clearly in need of some attention. When we asked for more water, he acted like we were inconveniencing him and made us feel like we were being difficult. Like, we’re paying customers—couldn’t he just be more helpful without the attitude? It was honestly so off-putting, and we started feeling like we weren’t welcome. The problems didn’t stop there. When we went to pay, my boyfriend asked if we were supposed to get bread (since other reviews mentioned it), and the response was, “You can get good bread at the train station.” It honestly felt like a rude way of telling us to leave. We also asked about the plate of meat (steak, chicken, sausage, pork ribs, potatoes, and spinach) we were served, wondering if it was what we had ordered. They assured us it was, but it clearly wasn’t—it didn’t have the bruschetta that was the side for the plate that we DID order, and we were only supposed to have steak not all this other meat. The waiter didn’t seem interested in addressing the mistake and just brushed it off. On top of all this, we weren’t given the usual salt, pepper, and olive oil with our meal. When my boyfriend asked for it, the waiter pointed to the waiter stand where the baskets were sitting, leaving him to go get it himself. When we got the bill, we were charged 89 euros, but the math didn’t add up. The service was terrible, the food was mediocre at best, and the overall treatment was disrespectful. I definitely do not recommend this place if you’re looking for good service and a pleasant experience. The way we were treated made us feel like unwelcome tourists, and it’s definitely not worth the price.

EDIT: I see you have responded and to say that we didn’t even dine there is crazy. We were there at about 9pm yesterday (February 27, 2025). We sat in the back of the restaurant near the big group of people. There were fire extinguishers to my left as well as a Da Vinci quote on the wall (my back was to the wall). When we got inside we asked for the reservation under Liam’s name (my boyfriend). I was wearing a jean jacket, grey sweatshirt, black pants, black and white vans. My boyfriend was wearing black jacket, black hoodie, jeans, black converse. Our waiter was a younger man, probably 5’8 in height. I have included a picture I took of the menu with...

My wife will probably rate it superb. I on my side do not recommend it and will not ever go back. We were there for the bisteca florentina (typical dish if in Florence). We order an antipasti (appetizer) a pasta, and a florentina (I speak italian good enough to have a quick casual conversation, have spoken it since 10 YO and went to a school which secon language was Italian) I was asked if I wanted my soup and pasta before the bisteca to which I answered yes, but never came. The bisteca came first, I ordered medium but was rare (so rare that my wife who enjoys medium rare, complaint it was rather raw) sent it back, came back and was probably medium rare not medium which in a cut similar to a T bone I HATE! i had to switch to English and complained that I had not got the other food....The blond young female waitress at 2 pm -with an attitude- wanted to argue, I just told her I did not want it. The place is nice, my wife enjoyed the beef and in fairness (which you will find everywhwere to the extent the cow was raised is the Toscana/Florence region) the quality of the beef was good. Bread, olive oil, wine and water were good but none of this are dependant on the restaurant itself....thank god I had a discount....would have been MUCH MORE DISSAPPOINTED if having to pay full price....Anyway make your own conclusion, I personally believe there are much better places, with better food, better service, and...

Arrived @10pm looking forward to a good meal after long day touring and after looking at reviews thought to try it out. We had gone out evening before at another restaurant and had a great steak meal so was anticipating same. Got stale bread....had to ask for the oil and basalmic vinegar we ordered steak for two as was virtually same price as place the other evening thinking we would get a meal..ie a bread plate, then meat and cheese plate then the steak.....NOPE nada just a steak. We requested medium rare...it came blue and NO that's NOT the Florentine way...it was supposed to be rosemary and oil...NOPE just grilled with a sprig of rosemary off to the side and once you factor in the bone what was left of the steak had about 20% inedible gristle....just plain shoddy. To cap it off get my bill and they charged three desserts that we had not ordered.... SO food sub par, what little service we had thrown out the window with the overcharge and as for atmosphere...there was none. I truly do not know what happened Given all the great reviews but I would avoid....NOT worth the price...