Our editors’ picks for kid friendly restaurants in Florence Italy offer family fun dining in beautiful outside cafes to local bakeries filled with tasty treats. Enjoy the local cuisine and people watching with our list of favorite dining options for families in Florence and throughout Tuscany. For expat families missing a taste of home, we also list a range of options for American bakeries and diners and other ethnic foods in the city. Among our top tips is a visit to the newly renovated Mercato Centrale in Florence for a little taste of everything in a dynamic setting!

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Mamma Gina
One of our favorite spots for over 20 years. Classic trattoria with a perfect Tuscan menu.
Borgo San Jacopo 37r
Florence, 50125
tel. 055 2396009

Ristorante Fiorentina (Arezzo)
Traditional trattoria well-known for fresh local specialties
Closed Wednesdays
Via L. Pacioli 60
Sansepolcro, Arezzo
tel. 0575 742033

Trattoria Del Carmine
Very typical Florentine trattoria, family run, casual atmosphere, reasonable prices
Piazza del Carmine 18r
50124 Florence
tel. 055 218601

Trattoria La Casalinga
Near Piazza Santo Spirito, traditional Tuscan home cooking
Via dei Michelozzi 9r
50123 Florence
tel. 055 218624 email. info@trattorialacasalinga.it

Trattoria Gargani
A very happy Italy trip planning client (who was quite the foodie) sent along a glowing review of this trattoria near Piazza Santa Maria Novella, recommended by one of our preferred Florence guides, Elena of Florence with Flair. The family of four (2 kids ages 6 and 12) also enjoyed their hotel stay across the street at the historic Al Palazzo del Marchese di Camugliano.
Via del Moro 48r
50123 Florence
tel. 055 23988898 email. info@garganitrattoria.com

Trattoria Quattro Leone
Book for an early dinner or lunch on the outside patio at this charming restaurant in the Oltrarno, just one block from the Ponte Vecchio, yet in a quiet, characteristic neighborhood. The tiny pedestrian piazza is perfect for young children to people watch or get the wiggles out
Piazza della Passera
Via dei Vellutini 1r
50123 Florence
tel. 055 218562 email. info@4leoni.com

Trattoria ZaZa
Near Mercato Centrale, typical Tuscan fare, including pizza; it gets crowded, so book early when dining with children (it’s possible to reserve a table from the website at www.trattoriazaza.it)
Piazza Mercato Centrale 26r
Florence
tel. 055 215411 email. info@trattoriazaza.it

Cafes and Bakeries

Dolcissimo
Via Maggio 61r
50125 Firenze
tel. 055 2396268

La Boutique dei Dolci
Via Fabroni 18r
50122 Florence
tel. 055 499503

Mama’s Bakery
Bagels, chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin pie, cheesecake, muffins, brownies, American coffee… need we say more!
Via della Chiesa 34r
50125 Florence
tel. 055 219214 email. info@mamasbakery.it

Sugar & Spice
It is possible to order online and have baked goods delivered; a great selection of American favorites and character birthday cakes.
Via dei Servi 43r
50122 Florence
tel. 055 499503 email. info@sugar-spice.it

Gelaterie

Gelateria Santa Trinita’
Try the fondente!
Piazza Frescobaldi 11-12/r (across from Ponte Santa Trinita’)
Florence
tel. 055 2381130 email. info@gelateriasantatrinita.it

Vivoli
Delicious artisanal gelato in Florence
Via Isole delle Stinche 7
tel. 055 292334 email. info@vivoli.it

Lucca

Pizzerias

Pizzeria Sbragia on Via Filungo is a simple, delicious pizzeria that is very kid-friendly in a convenient location on this main road in Lucca center. Kids love to color the placemats, which are printed with a map of Lucca.

Pizzeria Da Felice  popular with the locals, this take away pizza by the slice is perhaps the most well-known in Lucca. A very family-friendly location where the kids can run around in the piazza surrounding the church of San Michele
Via Buia 12
Lucca
tel. 0583 494986

Gelaterie

Gelateria Veneta A family favorite for many years, this gelateria near the carousel in Lucca has been run by several generations, with delicious artisanal gelato made on site. We’ve had the good fortune to take a peek at the lemon-squeezing and chocolate melting that goes on in the kitchen, and it is heavenly. They also have a small location on Via Filungo, and you will find their gelato cart circulating on the walls.
Via Vittorio Veneto, 74
Lucca
tel. 0583 467037

Gelateria de Coltelli De Coltelli has a daily selection of fresh, organic, and of course, seasonal gelato in the most amazing flavors. Their granita is phenomenal as well–organic Sicilian almond, orange, lemon, it’s hard to choose!
Via San Paolino 10
Lucca
tel. 0583 050667

Restaurants

Trattoria Da Leo Via Tegrini, 1, phone 0583 492236 (reservations recommended); head right at Piazza San Michele and you’ll come across this trattoria on a quiet side street. Delicious typical Lucchese home cooking. Every bite is something to remark about, and even our kids agree! The tortellini in brodo is amazing.

Trattoria Gigi Piazza del Carmine, 7, 0583 467 266 (reservations recommended); a more varied menu than Da Leo in terms of general Tuscan/Italian cooking, rather than regional, but also well-known for regional specialties. Many choices for the kids. Book early for a table outside.

Lombardo Pieve Santo Stefano near Sant’Alessio 0583 349091 (reservations required-request the terrace; closed Mon.) high above us about a 15 minute drive up to the Pieve Santo Stefano hills, a breathtaking drive, the terrace of this restaurant is perched over rolling vineyards with the woodsy hills in the background. We have taken our kids there, but it’s more of a grown-up destination. Perfect for a quiet lunch after exploring the nearby olive farms and vineyards, where you can arrange to visit tasting rooms if you’d like (the brochure “Lucca’s Olive and Wine Rd”, avail in the tourist office, includes a map of vineyards and olive farms/presses along this route). The terrace in the front is appropriate for groups with children

The Macelleria on the corner of Via Sarzanese and Via delle Gavine also serves nice roast meats and bistecca fiorentina for dinner. The take-out pizzeria directly across the street from there is delicious as well.

Ristorante Da Mariano – Via per Chiatri, 258 Tel. 0583.356046 – also up in the hills, a set menu, kids eat for free, beautiful view from terrace toward the sea, incredibly inexpensive for delicious local cuisine. Full of locals in the know.