Trattoria La Casalinga — Restaurant in Florence

We came to this restaurant as we assumed it opened at 7pm on a Saturday in July 2024, as Google and other websites stated that it was open that day. We were then told 15 minutes after it was due to open that the restaurant was closed on Saturdays in July by a member of staff at Gusta Pizza. We were slightly annoyed but fortunately it was early in our trip so we decided to come back another day.

Admittedly we came back on another day at around 8pm, whilst it was busy it was only a 10 minute wait before we were seated. Our waiter grumpily took us to our table, essentially threw the menus on the table and silently poured water for us. After ordering our drinks, she did not come back to get our food orders for some time. 15 mins after we sat down the table adjacent to us was seated and their waiter noticed we had no bread on our table and got some for us. This waiter also took their guests' food orders promptly, so we actually saw our neighbours' table get their food first way before we got our food despite being seated and ready to order before them. When the restaurant quietened down our waiter seemed to be in a more happy mood but we had already received our food before we received this sudden change of tune.

For Italian standards, the food was okay. The bruschetta was fresh and lovely, for the main I ordered the Ravioli with butter and sage, which was very obviously freshly cooked with good ingredients however it was obvious something was missing as it was quite bland and lacked a lot of flavour. Also the mixed greens with oil and garlic was incredibly salty and stodgy. My partner had fish with potatoes, whilst that tasted good the fish had a lot of bones and scales left behind.

I can completely understand workers not having a good day/shift especially on a hot busy July day. Although, compared to the rest of the restaurants on our trip this was not up to our expected standard in food quality or service, so we left slightly disappointed. I can only hope we came to this restaurant...

A week after eating here, I am still unsure how I feel about this place. They have a great menu of more traditional Tuscan style dishes. The food we ordered was amazing. For antipasti, my wife and I had black kale and white bean crostini and a leak flan with parmesan fondue. They were some of the best appetizers we had the whole trip. Then we followed it up with the pene with bolognaise and the pappardelle with wild boar. They were both incredible, pasta cooked to perfection, and rich flavourful sauces that we just wanted to keep eating. The menu items my parents chose were also excellent. My mother loved the roast chicken and potatoes.

So now the other stuff. This is the only restaurant we have felt rushed at. They told us twice before we even ordered that we only had the table for one and a half hours. This may have been because we ate early, aka "tourist dinner time," but still not really an excuse. The server even hand gestured my father to order faster. The online english menu is different than the menu they had in the restaurant, which we overheard being pointed out by two other tables near us to the ever increasing irritation of the server. They do have free wifi if you need to use a translation app. We ended up not getting desserts because after all the warning and reminding about time, the server wasn't the fastest.

It was a very loud space, you could hear the kitchen echoing through the place. Getting to hear them yelling and screaming the food orders to the line every time they came in may feel "homey" to some, i guess. It was like "The Bear" with the volume turned to 11.

The food was really good, the rest was...

A True Taste of Tradition at Trattoria La Casalinga Dining at Trattoria La Casalinga is like stepping into the warm embrace of a time-honored Florentine family kitchen. This gem, proudly family-run for over 60 years, offers not just food, but a deeply rooted culinary experience that’s full of heart. We started with the Caprese salad, a simple dish elevated to excellence here. The mozzarella was fresh and creamy, perfectly paired with sweet, ripe tomatoes that tasted like they were picked at the peak of summer. Drizzled with just the right amount of olive oil and a sprinkle of basil, it was the ideal beginning. For the main course, we shared a 1kg Bistecca alla Fiorentina—an absolute showstopper. Grilled to perfection, the steak was juicy, flavorful, and expertly seasoned. Each bite melted in the mouth, and the accompanying roasted potatoes were golden and crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside—a perfect pairing. Their wine list is extensive and thoughtfully curated, featuring a rich selection of high-quality labels that reflect the best of Italy’s vineyards. The staff was happy to recommend a bold red that complemented our meal beautifully. Special mention must go to the waiters, who were incredibly friendly, attentive, and full of charm. Their warmth and hospitality added so much to the experience, making us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. Trattoria La Casalinga isn't just a restaurant; it's a celebration of family, tradition, and the timeless flavors of Tuscany. A must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic, unforgettable meal...