Trattoria Zà Zà — Restaurant in Florence

Let me preface this by saying I am a well done steak connoisseur. I eat and cook tomahawk porterhouse filet mignon you name it I eat it but I like it well done! If we’re in 2025 and your chef doesn’t know what well done means universally you need to fire him! Or at the least educate him. That being said I had the worst experience in my 42 years of life at a restaurant. My waitress was amazing she couldn’t have been better but the management not so good. First I saw 4 people with a nice thick steak I was told was the florenza steak cool I asked for it to be well done and was assured it would be but when I got my steak it was super thin very fatty and nothing like the other people’s steak. It was well done though. I asked why it looked so different and I wasn’t thick it looked more like a sirloin than a fillet or t bone like they said it would be. The waitress understood and brought it back and said it would be a filet this time and well done. Then I get my new steak 10 minutes later and I already knew it was going to be an issue. The steak was grilled on top and nothing cooked at all inside like not at all 100000% rare. I then had to send it back again! I hate sending food back. A nice guy with a neck tattoo (I assumed was the manager) came out and said that the fillet won’t taste good well done but assured me it would be wellllllll done. 10 minutes later my steak comes and again I already know by timing that we’re going to have an issue. The steak was completely red again. I will attach a photo. I wish I took a photo of it the second time because it was completely 1000% red in the middle, not cooked at all. So I said I just wanted a check at this point. Now the owner and manager come over and try to tell me that it’s considered well done in Florence and that to them this is well done lmao. That it’s well done to them even tho the other staff ensured me that it would be well well done. What doesn’t make sense to me is that I ordered a steak earlier at a different restaurant and the steak was well done. No issues about how Florence does it. Also how was my first “florenza” steak well done yet my filet wasn’t?! They clearly didn’t want to spend an hour cooking my steak well done so they rushed it to get us out end of the day I had to argue and make a scene which I never do because the manager and owner wwre trying to tell me that this is well done to them yet my first steak was actually well done lmao make this make sense! End of the day I pairs for it all and left with out eating. I will never come back. If you like steak that is crawling on the plate when it arrives you will love this place but if you like your steak cooked DOOOO NOTTTT COMEEEE HEREEEE!!! I always leave honest and real reviews. As I stated in the beginning, I am a well done steak connoisseur and I know that well done means the same thing in every country. They thought because it was my first time I would fall for the bs but my first “florenza” steak was well done yet they said to them red inside is considered well done lol They clearly didn’t ant to waste an hour cooking a fillet well done. I understand they need to get people in and out but don’t ensure me that the steak will be well done and then give me rare steak. I mean ultra rare better yet beyondddd rare and try to gaslight me and say that’s how it is in Florence. End of the day if you like your steak cooked do not come here or you’ll have to send it back 5 times and argue with staff. Never again!!! Check my future reviews for great well done steaks in Florence! Please kind you the photo I attached is “well done” lmao my advice to this restaurant is either get a new chef or start telling customers you don’t do well...

Trattoria ZaZa in Florence lives up to its reputation as one of the city’s most popular dining spots, and for good reason. Known for its energetic atmosphere, packed dining room, and classic Tuscan dishes, ZaZa provides an unforgettable Italian dining experience. Here’s a breakdown of our visit:

Reservations and Atmosphere: ZaZa is a bustling, lively place, so I highly recommend booking your reservation months in advance. Even with a reservation, we still had to wait in line, which only added to the anticipation. The line is a testament to the restaurant’s popularity, and once inside, the vibrant atmosphere doesn’t disappoint. The restaurant is constantly full, with people chatting, waitstaff moving quickly, and a palpable excitement in the air. It has the feel of a classic Italian trattoria but with a buzz that keeps the energy high.

The Food: • Bruschetta: We started with the bruschetta, and it was the perfect beginning to our meal. The tomatoes were fresh, and the flavors were simple but so well-balanced that each bite was bursting with freshness. It’s a staple of Italian cuisine done right, making it feel both familiar and special. • Florentine Steak: The highlight of our meal was definitely the Florentine steak. This is no ordinary steak — it’s a thick, generous cut, usually one to two fingers thick, and grilled to perfection. It’s seasoned only with salt and pepper, allowing the rich flavor of the meat to stand out. The steak is roasted on a hot grill for just a few minutes on each side, creating a tender and juicy texture. I made the bold choice to try and tackle the steak on my own, but it’s truly a dish meant for sharing. The flavor was incredible, and the steak melted in my mouth like butter. This was the kind of steak that’s so satisfying it leaves a lasting memory. • Apple Pie: To finish off the meal, we shared a slice of apple pie, which was a delightful surprise. Often overshadowed by more traditional Italian desserts, the apple pie at ZaZa was delicious and the perfect sweet ending. The crust was flaky, and the filling was well-spiced and comforting, adding a touch of warmth to the meal.

Overall Experience: ZaZa’s popularity and the wait were well worth it. With a lively crowd, quick and friendly service, and classic Italian dishes executed to perfection, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone in Florence looking to experience authentic Tuscan flavors. I would highly recommend it for a memorable night out, whether you’re a solo diner, a couple, or a group.

Final Recommendation: Don’t miss ZaZa if you’re in Florence, but remember to plan ahead with your reservation. Be prepared for a line, embrace the lively vibe, and be ready to indulge in a true...

Terrible Service & Possible Discrimination – Ruined Our Honeymoon Dinner

I rarely leave negative reviews, but the service we experienced at this restaurant was unacceptable, disrespectful, and possibly discriminatory.

What should have been a pleasant meal during our honeymoon turned into an infuriating and humiliating experience.

Rude & Neglectful Service from Start to Finish -Impatient Order-Taking: The male server assigned to our table was visibly annoyed when taking our order, sighing and rushing us. We brushed it off, assuming he was just having a bad day. Ignored Repeatedly for the Bill:At 9:00 PM today, we finished eating and asked for the bill. Over the next 20 minutes, we had to flag down four different staff members, each promising the bill would come "soon." Deliberately Ignored by Our Server: The worst part? Our server walked past us twice while we were clearly trying to get his attention (even waving at him). He looked directly at us and chose to ignore us - only to then rush over to nearby white customers with a smile, taking their orders patiently.

No Apology – Just Excuses & Attitude When we finally complained to the manager, the same server finally came over at 9:20 PM —not to apologize, but to snap at us, saying he was "very busy" and that we should "respect his work." Respect goes both ways.If he had time to help other tables promptly, why did he ignore us for 20 minutes?

Felt Like Discrimination – Will Never Return We don’t like jumping to conclusions, but the difference in treatment was impossible to ignore. While we were dismissed and treated like an inconvenience, other (white) guests received polite, prompt service. Whether it was intentional or not, this ruined our evening and left us feeling unwelcome and disrespected.

Final Warning to the Future Customer Food quality doesn’t matter when the service is this bad. Half the staff were fine, but the ones who weren’t completely ruined our experience. We will never return, and we strongly caution others—especially if you expect basic respect as a paying customer.

A honeymoon dinner should be special. Ours was ruined by terrible service.

If you’ve had a similar experience with this server (or others at this restaurant), please share your story—or even photos if you have them. I regret not taking a picture of the server who ignored us, but if others have encountered the same treatment, it’s clear this isn’t an isolated incident.

Management needs to take this seriously—retrain staff or remove those who treat...