7 BEST Food Tours in Florence (by a Local)

Florence is the heart of Tuscany and one of the best places in Italy to go on a food tour. Between the fresh pasta, Tuscan wines, local cheeses, cured meats, and all the little specialties most visitors don’t know about, eating here is very much part of the sightseeing.

Now, as someone from Bologna, I’m legally required to say that my hometown is still the food capital. But Florence does a pretty fantastic job too, and if you want to understand Tuscan food beyond just ordering a plate of pasta, a food tour is one of the best things you can do in the city.

I’m Italian and I’ve spent a lot of time in Florence over the years, so I know that the best food experiences here are not usually the flashy touristy ones. They’re the tours that take you to proper wine bars, neighborhood spots, markets, and family-run businesses, while also explaining what you’re actually eating.

To help you choose quickly, I’ve selected the best food tours in Florence, including daytime market tours, evening food and wine experiences, and private options, based on quality, reviews, and overall value.

They’re a great addition whether you’re spending one day in Florence or following my 2 days in Florence itinerary.

Why should you trust me? I’m Italian, from Bologna, which is just a short train ride from Florence, and I’ve spent years writing about food experiences around Italy. I know what makes a food tour worth booking, and I’m very picky about the ones I recommend.

I personally use Viator, GetYourGuide, and Devour to book tours. They all have a very good cancellation policy, and that always gives me peace of mind when I’m booking ahead.

Best Food Tours in Florence: Quick Picks

Short on time? These are the Florence food tours I recommend most:

OUR PICK: The Best Food Tour in Florence

Duration: 3.5 hours evening tour
Type: Small-group food and wine experience
Best for: First-time visitors who want the most complete and memorable Florence food tour

This Devour Florence Food & Wine Tour is my top pick if you want a proper Florence dinner experience that goes beyond random tastings and actually feels like an evening out with someone who knows the city well.

You’ll explore the Oltrarno, which is one of my favorite parts of Florence because it feels a little less polished and a little more local.

The tour includes 8+ Tuscan dishes and 6 drinks, so this is definitely not one of those tours where you leave hungry. Expect a generous lineup of tastings that can include artisan charcuterie, local pasta, traditional Tuscan bites, and the city’s most famous specialty, Florentine steak.

What makes it stand out even more is the drinks side of the experience. Along the way, you’ll sip a mix of classic local pours, which can include Chianti Classico, bold Tuscan reds, prosecco served from one of Florence’s iconic wine windows, and even a Negroni.

I really like that the pairings don’t feel like an afterthought here. They’re part of the experience, and they help turn the tour into a full evening of eating and drinking rather than just a tasting walk.

It’s also a very easy tour to recommend for first-time visitors because you get a nice balance of food, wine, neighborhood atmosphere, and local stories. If you only do one Florence food tour, this is the one I’d pick.

Why this is the best tour

It’s the most balanced option in the city. You get a beautiful neighborhood, a real dinner experience, plenty of wine, and a wide variety of Tuscan specialties, so it feels more complete than a quick daytime tasting walk.

It’s also a very easy tour to recommend because it works for most travelers, especially if it’s your first time in Florence.

Pros

• Very complete evening experience
• Includes multiple proper food stops, not just quick bites
• Explores the Oltrarno, which is one of the best areas in Florence
• This tour is adaptable for vegetarians, pescatarians, dairy free, and gluten free (not celiacs)

Cons

• Not ideal if you prefer a tour with a market visit
• Less suitable for travelers who prefer an early start

Read what the reviews say:

“This was one of our favorite things we did in Florence. The food was excellent, the wine kept flowing, and we loved exploring the Oltrarno with a guide who clearly knew and loved the neighborhood.”

Verified traveler – Read more reviews

This tour includes 8+ food tastings, 6+ wine pairings and drinks, a local guide, and a full evening food and wine experience in the Oltrarno. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Best Daytime Food Tours in Florence

If you’d rather explore Florence by day, these tours are the best options. One focuses on Sant’Ambrogio Market for a more local feel, while the other is a great general introduction to Florence street food and the historic center.

Florence: Sant’Ambrogio Market Food Tour of 10+ Local Dishes

Duration: 3 hours
Type: Market-focused small-group tour
Best for: Travelers who want a more local, market-based food experience

This Florence: Sant’Ambrogio Market Food Tour of 10+ Local Dishes is the best pick if you want something that feels a little more local and less centered on the most touristy parts of Florence.

Sant’Ambrogio Market is one of the best places in Florence to get a feel for everyday food culture, and that alone makes this tour stand out. You’ll sample a wide variety of Tuscan specialties, including classics like cheeses, cured meats, pasta, and local street food, while learning more about what Florentines actually eat.

I like that this one has a clear personality. It’s not just a walk through the center with a few snack stops. It has a stronger market angle, which makes it a very good option if you’ve already seen Florence’s main landmarks or want something that feels a bit more rooted in local life.

Pros

• Stronger local feel than many central Florence tours
• Sant’Ambrogio Market is a great setting for a food tour
• Wide variety of tastings

Cons

• Less focused on major landmarks

This tour includes 10+ tastings, a market visit, and a local guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Florence: Street Food Tour with Wine & Local Guide

Duration: 2.5 hours
Type: Small-group walking tour
Best for: First-time visitors who want a classic daytime introduction to Florentine food

If you want a more classic introduction to Florence food, this Florence: Street Food Tour with Wine & Local Guide is a very solid option.

It combines tastings with a walk through the historic center, so it works well if you want to see Florence and eat at the same time. Depending on the departure, you may also visit a local market, which adds a nice extra layer to the experience.

You’ll try a mix of Tuscan specialties like schiacciata, pasta, wine, cantucci, and more, while your guide shares background on the city and its food culture. It’s a very easy tour to recommend for first-time visitors because it gives you a little bit of everything without being too long.

Pros

• Very good general introduction to Florence food
• Short and easy to fit into an itinerary
• Includes wine and several classic tastings

Cons

• Less distinctive than the Sant’Ambrogio option
• Can feel more central and tourist-friendly

This tour includes a local guide, multiple food tastings, and wine. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Best Evening Food & Wine Tours in Florence

Florence is a fantastic city for food tours at night, especially if you want something that feels more like dinner with wine than just a few tastings between monuments.

Florence: Food Walking Tour with Local Steak and Tuscan Wine

Duration: 3.5 hours
Type: Small-group dinner experience
Best for: Travelers who want to try Florentine steak on a guided food tour

If your main goal is to try bistecca alla fiorentina, this Florence: Food Walking Tour with Local Steak and Tuscan Wine is probably the best evening option for you.

The tour includes several stops, but the real highlight is a seated dinner where you’ll get to savor the Florentine steak, which is one of the most famous dishes in the city. Along the way, you’ll also sample other Tuscan bites (14!) and 4 local wines, so it feels like a full dinner rather than a single specialty stop.

This is the kind of tour I’d recommend to travelers who want something more focused and hearty in the evening, rather than a broader market-style tour.

Pros

• Best option for trying Florentine steak
• Includes 4 wine tastings

Cons

• Not ideal for vegetarians

This tour includes dinner, food tastings, wine, and a local guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe

Duration: 3.5 hours
Type: Premium evening food tour
Best for: Travelers who want a longer, highly-rated sunset tour with lots of tastings

This Florence Sunset Food & Wine Tour by Eating Europe is another very strong evening option, especially if you want a tour that feels a little more polished and wine-focused.

The experience takes place in the Oltrarno and includes a generous mix of Tuscan specialties, from cheeses and cured meats to fresh pasta, a proper sit-down meal, and gelato at the end. It’s more than just a tasting walk, and the stops are designed to feel like a full night out rather than a quick snack crawl.

What makes this one stand out is the drinks side. You’ll sample four Tuscan wines, including labels from Chianti Classico to Super Tuscans, and you’ll also get a closer look at Florence’s famous wine window tradition and the story behind the Negroni. It’s a very good pick if you want a food tour that puts just as much emphasis on the pairings as on the food itself.

I’d place it just behind the Devour sunset tour because the latter feels a bit more distinctive, but this one is still an excellent choice if you want a premium evening food tour with plenty of tastings and a stronger wine component.

Pros

• Very established and highly rated
• Generous number of tastings
• Longer format than many other tours

Cons

• Better suited to travelers who enjoy wine, since pairings are a big part of the experience
• Pricier than some of the other evening food tours

This tour includes multiple food tastings, drinks, and a local guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Private Food Tours in Florence

If you’d rather keep things more personal, these private Florence food tours are the best options. One works very well during the day, while the other is perfect for a more exclusive evening out.

Florence Exclusive Private Food Tour with 6 or 10 Tastings

Duration: 3 hours
Type: Private food tour
Best for: Travelers who want a flexible private experience with personalized tastings around Florence

This Florence Exclusive Private Food Tour with 6 or 10 Tastings is a great choice if you want a more personalized food experience without being locked into a big group schedule. Since it’s private, it works well whether you prefer to do it earlier in the day or closer to dinner time, and the whole experience feels much more relaxed and flexible.

The tour combines Florence sightseeing with a generous lineup of tastings, so you’re not just walking around listening to commentary.

Depending on the option you choose, you’ll enjoy 6 or 10 tastings of local favorites that can include espresso and pastries, Chianti wine, and cantucci, along with other Tuscan bites as you explore markets, local food spots, and some of the city’s highlights.

I like this one for travelers who want a food tour that feels easy to tailor to their pace. It’s especially good for couples, families, or anyone who wants the comfort of a private guide while still getting a proper introduction to Florence’s food scene.

Pros

• Private guide and more flexible pace
• Can work well earlier in the day or closer to dinner
• Mixes food, local markets, and Florence highlights

Cons

• More expensive than group tours
• Less of a full dinner-style experience than the strongest evening food tours

This tour includes a private guide, 6 or 10 tastings, and vegetarian alternatives. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Private Florence Food Tour: Hidden Taverns, Wine Windows & Tuscan Flavors

Duration: Private evening tour
Type: Private food and wine experience
Best for: Couples, families, or small groups who want a more exclusive Florence food tour

If you want something more exclusive, this Private Florence Food Tour is the best upgrade option in the city.

You get the same kind of strong food-and-wine focus that makes Devour tours so popular, but with the added benefit of having the whole experience tailored to your own group. That means a more relaxed pace, more room for questions, and a much more personal feel overall.

Expect a full Tuscan dinner with tastings like crostini, handmade pasta with ragù, gelato, and regional wines, all enjoyed at a more relaxed pace that works especially well for a private experience.

This is the one I’d pick for a special occasion, or if you’re traveling with people who don’t love group tours and want something a little more polished and private.

Pros

• Private and more exclusive experience
• This tour is adaptable for vegetarians, pescatarians, dairy free, and gluten free (not celiacs)
• More flexible than a standard group tour
• Strong food and wine focus

Cons

• More expensive than group tours

This tour includes a private guide, multiple food tastings, and wine pairings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Is It Worth Taking a Food Tour in Florence?

Yes, absolutely. Florence is one of those cities where food is deeply tied to local identity, and a good tour helps you understand far more than you would by simply picking a random restaurant for lunch or dinner.

The best food tours in Florence introduce you to dishes you might otherwise skip, explain why Tuscan cuisine is the way it is, and take you to places you probably wouldn’t find on your own. That’s especially true when it comes to wine bars, markets, and neighborhood spots.

I also think Florence is one of the easiest cities in Italy to enjoy through food. The city is compact, very walkable, and packed with great local specialties, so a food tour fits naturally into almost any itinerary.

FAQ: Food Tours in Florence

Are food tours in Florence worth it?

Yes. They’re one of the best ways to try local Tuscan specialties, discover good places to eat, and learn what makes Florence’s food culture different from other parts of Italy.

Should you do a daytime or evening food tour in Florence?

It depends on what you want. Daytime tours are better if you want markets and a lighter pace, while evening tours usually feel more like a full dinner with wine.

What food should you try in Florence?

Some of the classic things to try in Florence include bistecca alla fiorentina, schiacciata, lampredotto, Tuscan cheeses and cured meats, pappa al pomodoro, cantucci, and local Tuscan wine.

Is a private food tour in Florence worth it?

It can be, especially if you want a slower pace, are traveling with family or a larger group, or simply prefer a more personal experience. Private tours are more expensive, but they’re also more flexible.

Interested in more foodie experiences in Florence? Then check out my guides to the best wine tours from Florence and the top cooking classes in Florence.