Trattoria Napoleone — Restaurant in Florence

TL;DR take €16 Euros and throw them into the Arno. Use €1, go to the mini market, and buy some salt. You'll have the exact same culinary experience with the added bonus of not wasting a precious hour of your life.

I have never written a negative response before, but my experience was so bad I need to vent a little.

First it took me 15 mins to be seated... correction, it took me 15 mins to be acknowledged, and another five to be seated. I saw the writing on the wall, but stupidly went against my own judgement and decided to stick it out. Big mistake. That one's on me.

I ordered the risotto and a bottle of water. That was €17, which I think is actually a crime in some countries. I even considered alerting the Guardia di Finanzia.

Taking into account how long I waited before being seated, I decided to ask for that absurd check when my food was delivered, hoping that it would arrive just as I was finishing my meal.

I was wrong.

I know Florence has a history of cooking without salt because back in the day Pisa stopped selling it to them (or something to that effect). After eating here, however, I now doubt that story in favor of a far more plausible one; that Napoleone hoarded all the salt in the city and dumps it into their food.

I cannot with 100% certainty say that I ate rice that night. My mouth was too busy doing it's best lizard skin impression from the salt.

I made it three, maybe four, bites in before I couldn't force another bite in my mouth. I still waited another 20 mins for that ridiculous check.

I've had many bad meals throughout my life, and this is far from the worst. But, the service, combined with the outragious bill inspired me to try and save you from the tourist trap.

I gave it an extra star because of its convenience to my apartment. Well done on that...

Florentino gem on the other side of the Arno

Nestled in the heart of Florence, Trattoria Napoleone offers a truly authentic dining experience that transports you straight to the rustic countryside. This family-run gem exudes warmth and hospitality from the moment you step through its charming wooden doors. The ambiance is cozy and rustic featuring art and decor that tell a story of the region’s rich history. The soft, ambient lighting and the inviting aroma of home-cooked meals create an atmosphere that is both relaxing and enchanting.

I booked Trattoria Napoleone for my son’s wedding rehearsal dinner and it was truly an awesome and memorable evening. Francesco and Rosi were personable, professional, accommodating and flexible. The food was terrific, and the portions generous. We had the pleasure of trying several dishes on the menu and all were exceptional. The menu is a celebration of authentic Tuscan and Florentine traditions. Every dish is lovingly prepared using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and passion… evident in every bite.

The service is great, with the family’s hospitality making you feel like a cherished guest in their home. Our guests couldn’t help but boast about the food and ambiance. If you are in Florence and are looking for a heartwarming experience, look for this hidden gem on the other side of the Arno. Thank you Francesco and Rosi for your hospitality and for making this evening...

It's never a good idea to be part of a large group, but we didn't have much choice and a restaurant shouldn't accept a large group booking unless it really can deliver. The food was atrocious, I'd be embarrassed to serve up such sad looking bread (none of us were sure what it exactly was, some floppy bread smeared with tomato sauce and out in a bucket), then an iffy tasting soup followed by low quality cured meats. We had pasta with pesto and it tasted the same as a jar of Sacla Pesto. We didn't have dessert as the service was so appalling they we ran out of time and had to head off to some lovely opera in a nearby church. We arrived at around 6pm, no service at all for 20 mins even though we were the only ones there and they knew we were coming, not enough tables were set up for us so very much squashed together, the wine was rough, waiters slow and lazy (leaning up against the wall looking at their mobiles), no consideration given for dietary needs, and a stupid last minute attempt by them to serve dessert when we were getting up to leave. Absolutely appalling.

OMG - owner responded on another review and stated they buy their pesto sauce in - so, you are not a restaurant then? Jeepers, we make fresh pesto at home yet a 'Chef' can't make it in his...