
Buca Lapi
Florence's oldest restaurant, set in a historic cellar, offering authentic Tuscan dishes and the iconic Florentine steak.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Buca Lapi

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Florence's oldest restaurant, set in a historic cellar, offering authentic Tuscan dishes and the iconic Florentine steak.
"Experience the best meal in Florence, with a steak so tender it's unforgettable."
Book in Advance
Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity.
Embrace Rare Steak
The Florentine steak is traditionally served rare; it's not the place to ask for it well-done.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Tuscan
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Oldest Restaurant in Florence
Step back in time in a historic vaulted cellar, experiencing authentic Tuscan cuisine with over 140 years of history.

Legendary Florentine Steak
Indulge in the iconic Bistecca alla Fiorentina, cooked rare and to perfection. A true Tuscan culinary masterpiece.

Authentic Tuscan Delights
Savor traditional dishes like handmade ravioli, pappardelle with wild boar, and rich bean soups.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book in Advance
Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity.
Embrace Rare Steak
The Florentine steak is traditionally served rare; it's not the place to ask for it well-done.
Ask for Wine Pairings
Knowledgeable staff can recommend the perfect regional wine to complement your meal.
Try Traditional Dishes
Explore authentic Tuscan specialties like tripe or the famous ravioli.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book in Advance
Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity.
Embrace Rare Steak
The Florentine steak is traditionally served rare; it's not the place to ask for it well-done.
Ask for Wine Pairings
Knowledgeable staff can recommend the perfect regional wine to complement your meal.
Try Traditional Dishes
Explore authentic Tuscan specialties like tripe or the famous ravioli.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Buca Lapi is celebrated for its historic ambiance and exceptional Tuscan cuisine, particularly its renowned Florentine steak. Diners rave about the professional and hospitable service, especially from staff like Giuseppe and Luciano, and the romantic, old-world atmosphere. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few mention that the steak, while delicious, can sometimes be cooked more than requested, and one reviewer noted issues with inconsistent opening hours.
"This restaurant is a 5 star expirence from start to finish. First off, the atmosphere is absolutely beautiful with romantic lighting and posters all over the walls. The waiters are so professional and kind and the food - it will be the best meal you eat in florence. The steak is so tender with a perfectly seared exterior. The sides of cannelloni beans and mashed potatoes are just divine. This is good food done right! I highly recommend dining here if looking for an upscale experience in Florence for the best steak in the city!"
DC FOODIE
"The food here is absolutely amazing. Staff are quick paced and food came out fast. Seatings are also comfortable.
The beef tripe is soft and soaked up all the sauces, absolutely delicious. The tomato ribbon pasta is fresh and sweet. The beef is also soft and tender, and the calelloni is very delicious as well. Everything is amazing here. Highly recommended!"
Cherrie Li
"This was a highly recommended restaurant and it lived up to the expectations. The location is in an old wine cellar and the five star service was excellent. We shared the Florentine steak for two and it was a culinary experience. All steaks are cooked rare. Make sure to ask to see the steak on the grill. Makes for a great photo!"
Jeny Mauro
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Buca Lapi is most famous for its authentic Tuscan cuisine, especially its legendary Florentine steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina) and its historic, atmospheric setting in a cellar dating back to 1880.
Yes, it is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance, especially for dinner, as the restaurant is very popular and often busy.
The Florentine steak is traditionally served rare, as is local custom. It's advisable to be prepared for a less-than-well-done preparation.
The restaurant is located in a historic vaulted cellar and is decorated with vintage posters, creating a magical, romantic, and authentic atmosphere.
Yes, diners frequently praise the professional and hospitable service, with specific mentions of staff members like Giuseppe and Luciano.
Besides the steak, popular choices include handmade Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci, Pappardelle with wild boar, and traditional Tuscan soups.
Yes, they offer unique desserts such as the house chocolate tart, which is noted for being surprisingly delicious without sugar, eggs, or flour.
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Dining at one of the many Florentine trattorias is the best way to dive into a timeless local social experience,” says Pecoraro. To get you started, he recommends Buca Lapi, Trattoria Cammillo, and Trattoria 13 Gobbi.
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Steeped in tradition and history, Buca Lapi, the oldest restaurant in Florence, offers more than just a meal – it's a journey through time. As you step into its ancient cellars, you're embraced by an atmosphere that harks back to the days of old Florence, with walls echoing stories of the past. The restaurant's celebrated dish, the 'Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci al Burro e Salvia' – a sumptuous ricotta and spinach ravioli, drenched in butter and sage – is not merely a recipe but a legacy handed down through generations.
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Buca Lapi, di proprietà di Luciano Ghinassi, è ristorante più storico di Firenze ( 1880), situato in un’antica cantina che apparteneva al Palazzo Antinori nel centro di Firenze. L’ambiente è caratterizzato da stanze con archi in pietra e luci soffuse, con i muri decorati con poster vintage. Il menù propone piatti tipici della tradizione toscana, una particolare attenzione per la carne e la bistecca fiorentina.
Steak in Florence - Where to Eat Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Located in what used to be a stop for coachmen where they would wash down a tripe sandwich with a glass of wine, Buca Lapi is one of the restaurants in the center of Florence best known for its delicious steaks. It is a large restaurant that manages to still treat its customers well, through service and food. Because of its popularity, make sure you make a reservation if you want to try the Chianina meat here.
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In the former cellars of the historic Palazzo Antinori, this typical Florentine “buca” (underground restaurant, TN) is also the oldest restaurant in the city, with over one hundred and thirty years of history. Trompe-l’oeil frescoes on the walls, scribbled lampshades, cross vaults covered with posters and advertisements of the times past: the atmosphere in here is magical. Even more magical is the food.
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One of the oldest restaurants in the city, Buca Lapi has been serving up hearty Tuscan fare since 1880. Located in what used to be the cellar of Palazzo Antinori (not far from the Duomo and Santa Maria Novella), they’ve decked out the place in classic Italian posters. They pride themselves on the open kitchen that brings the sights and sounds (and smells!) of the cooking out to their guests.
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One of the most historic addresses for bistecca alla Fiorentina–the place has been open since 1880–Buca Lapi is certainly no secret; you’re going to want to book ahead. You better bet that to be a fan favorite for over 140 years, the steak is top-notch. For those of you who like it bloody, you’re in luck; for those who don’t… this is not the place to ask for it to be cooked more.
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Buca Lapi claims to be the oldest restaurant in the city of Florence, open since 1880 in the cellars of Palazzo Antinori, the 14th century home of the Antinori wine growers. Back then, diners would order tripe, and it would be served in old newspaper, which is now stuck to the walls and ceilings. The restaurant is well-known for its Florentine steak, which attracts many tourists.
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A true institution of Tuscan cuisine, Buca Lapi is the oldest restaurant in Florence, opened at the end of the 1800s. Located under Palazzo Antinori, it still preserves its century-old charm thanks to a careful restoration. The walls are covered with vintage postcards, maps, and old photos, while the open-view kitchen and beautiful frescoed ceiling create a unique atmosphere.
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Known for its beginnings as the selling point for wines from the renowned Antinori family since the 1400s, today the buca (hole) is both lively and elegant. Their steak might be one of the most expensive in the city, but it is also one of the best. The menu also features all the classic Tuscan dishes, from Tuscan kale crostini to ribollita and papa al pomodoro soups.
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Buca Lapi, set in the historic cellars of Palazzo Antinori, is often noted as Florence’s oldest restaurant and still shows traces of its 19th-century origins. Some guests see it as a tourist spot, while others speak highly of its long-held reputation. Its well-preserved interior and welcoming setting make for a unique dining experience that reflects the city’s past.
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Buca Lapi is one of the oldest and most well known places to eat bistecca fiorentina in Florence situated in an old wine cellar lined with vintage posters. The white tablecloths and exceptional service makes up for the dim “cave like” feeling of the restaurant. Note that reservations are required and they are only open for dinner.
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Buca Lapi has been serving Tuscan cuisine in Santa Maria Novella since 1880. Today, much of its original charm remains from vaulted ceilings decorated with vintage posters to crisp white tablecloths and ambient lighting. If you’re dining with a group or as a couple, this cosy, mid-range restaurant is a great choice.
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This very old restaurant (1880) in the wine cellar of the Palazzo Antinori has excellent grilled dishes, prime wines and delicious Florentine cuisine. Known for decades for its genuine offerings and décor, which has remained the same since 1950s. It’s frequented by visitors and fashionable society.
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Buca Lapi, established in 1880 under Palazzo Antinori, still maintains valuable frescoes and is the realm of Florentine steak. Here you can find the real Florentine steak, at least 4 fingers high, T-shaped. Generally the meat comes from Italian white veal, Chianini or Marche.
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Via del Trebbio, 1r, 50123 Firenze, Italiawww.bucalapi.comOpen: 7:00pm to 10:30pm (Closed Sunday). Opening its doors in 1880, Buca Lapi is one of the oldest restaurants in Florence. They pride themselves in using the flavours of old Tuscan cuisine.
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Buca Lapi – Family owned restaurant that makes you feel like you’re at home. The gnocchi and the steak Florentine are must-haves on the menu. If you want to make sure you get a seat though, try to make a reservation at least two weeks in advance.
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BUCA LAPI: the oldest restaurant in the city, opened in 1880 in the cellars of the Antinori palace. Frescoes are still visible on the walls. The kitchen in opened to the sight of the guests, the aromas coming out from it are those of tradition.
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The Florentine steak is the main course of this place, comfortable and traditional in the furnishings and in the courses. But let’s move out of the city of Dante Alighieri to discover other restaurants where to eat Florentine steak in Tuscany.
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If I am looking for a nice steak in the center, I typically head to Buca Lapi. Quite literally ‘down below’ it serves up Tuscan food and its considered to be a real find but it is quite expensive. address: Via del Trebbio, 1r, 50123 Firenze
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Another institution, Buca Lapi is the oldest restaurant in Florence, dating back to 1880. It’s located in the cellars beneath the Palazzo Antinori and specializes in grilled meats and hearty Tuscan fare. The steak here is outstanding.
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Buca Lapi – Recommended to us by a local, this restaurant has a solid menu with excellent meat and pasta options. Start with the spinach gnocchi, then choose either the braised beef or the Florentine steak for your main course.
Recommendation of bistecca alla fiorentina in Firenze : firenze
Buca Lapi is in town, very nice food, cool/unique dining room. My wife and I had our pre-wedding dinner here. Prices are on the higher side though and maybe wouldn’t be every local’s choice.
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When I feel like a bistecca alla Fiorentina, I go to my butcher and cook it at home. However, if you are visiting, this isn’t possible. So the next best alternative is Buca Lapi.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit