Ristorante Alla Vecchia Bettola Firenze

There’s definitely more to Florentine dining than steak, but when I’m craving one now and then, this is where I go,” Gray says about this no-frills trattoria with tables crammed together and stools instead of chairs. “I love sitting elbow-to-elbow and swilling back the house wine, but this admittedly isn’t the best place to go if you need to have a deep conversation over dinner — you’re lucky if you can hear your seatmate over the ruckus!

Alla Vecchia Bettola is a neighborhood trattoria that feels like a party, and it’s worth going beyond the historical center to have dinner here. We’d like to write an ode to their namesake pasta: al dente penne soaked in a creamy vodka tomato sauce with a spicy kick to it. The crowd is made up of local best friends slapping each other on the back, retirees catching up after summer break, and, naturally, tourists.

The name doesn't exactly mean "old dive," but it comes pretty close. The recipes here come from "wise grandmothers" and celebrate Tuscan food in its glorious simplicity—prosciutto is sliced to order, grilled meats are tender, service is friendly, and the wine list is well-priced and good. This lively trattoria has been around only since 1979, but it feels as if it's been in existence much longer.

The family-style seating in Alla Vecchia Bettola means you’ll often find parties of guests mingling, children playing, or locals cheerfully advising tourists what to eat. To describe the portions as generous would be an underestimate, so make sure you’re hungry when you visit. It’s an excellent venue to try out traditional bistecca alla fiorentina, a classic and simple dish of grilled steak.

La Vecchia Bettola is a casual trattoria on the outskirts of Florence just off of Piazza Tasso serving up some of the best hard to find Tuscan classics. What I mean by this is that they make a lot of dishes that are harder to find these days such as ovoli mushroom carpaccio, cacio e pere (cheese and pears), porcini mushrooms served anyway possible and fried artichokes. Their most popular dish is penne alla Vecchia Bettola, their top secret recipe for what I can best compare to penne pasta with vodka sauce.

On the outskirts of Oltrarno in the Bellosguardo district you come to the ugly ring road of Viale Aleardo Aleardi. It’s horrible, and it somewhat breaks the spell that Florence casts, but a treat awaits you once you cross the road dodging the speeding traffic. Alla Vecchia Bettola is a favourite destination for workmen, students and locals seeking unpretentious, classic cooking and a surprisingly good house wine, which sits on the table in magnums as you arrive.

Lorenzo Nigro - Il Lampredotto di Lorenzo Nigro The contemporary lampredotto expert suggests Alla Vecchia Bettola, located in the historic center. “It’s always a pleasure going there, both for the smiling professional staff and the total absence of tourist crowds (and tourist menus). An authentic Tuscan destination, a place where you bump into old friends, and the cooking is stellar.

When fava beans start cropping up in the spring, they are a huge source of pride for restaurants that like to serve them fresh. The typical Florentine way to do this is with local pecorino toscano cheese, which is cubed into pieces to match the size of the favas. Dressed in olive oil and sometimes a touch of lemon juice, fave e pecorino is a joyous symbol of primavera.

Alla Vecchia Bettola – Come here for a real Tuscan feast–rustic, home-cooked, and always delicious. Thanks to communal tables, an international clientele, and jugs of Chianti to freely imbibe for a flat fee of a few euros, the place gets rowdy and chaotic in the best way. Must Order: Artichokes, penne alla vecchia bettola, and torta alle mele

While it can be difficult to find a table at Alla Vecchia Bettola (the homely ristorante is not overly massive), but it’s very much worth it. In my opinion, if you’re keen on sampling classic Florentine type cuisine, you need to get yourself a seat here. Plus, most times it’s filled to the brim with locals — which is always a good sign.

What more could you want from a traditional trattoria than Chianti bottles clad in straw, prosciutto hanging from the ceiling, and long marble-topped tables?. This place offers fuss-free, homey food, including the classic bistecca alla fiorentina (beefsteak Florentine style), Tuscan bread-based pappa al pomodoro, and vodka pasta.

If you’re dining out in Florence, try it at some of these good old trattorie: Casalinga, Alla Vecchia Bettola, Trattoria Mario or Trattoria Armando, just to name a few favourites. Traditional sides are roast potatoes, sautéed spinach or silverbeet and white cannellini beans – and plenty of Tuscan bread to mop up the juices.

Alla Vecchia Bettola is that old fashioned kind of Florentine restaurant you’re hoping to find. Cozy, cramped, full of good food and good cheer. But unlike the more well known places around the San Lorenzo neighborhood, Alla Vecchia Bettola is spot where you’ll find locals alongside the requisite tourists.

The term "bettola" refers to a simple, rustic, and often traditional place to eat and drink, typically associated with a cozy, unpretentious atmosphere where locals might gather. Adding "vecchia" (meaning "old") gives it a nostalgic feel, suggesting a long-established, classic venue.

BEST FOR: A lively lunch with friends, families, partners or all of the above. Expect cozy chaos, warm waiters and satisfied stomachs at this local favourite. Apart from a few seasonal changes, the restaurant’s menu hardly changes but this is not to its detriment.

One of the best restaurants in Florence chosen by the locals. If you want to enjoy traditional eating, Alla Vecchia Bettola is the place to go. An old Florentine restaurant, serving exclusively Tuscan foods; this is a great favorite of both locals and tourists.

Alla Vecchia Bettola – A traditional Tuscan restaurant with communal tables. A great way to meet other travelers or locals. Order the Penne alla Bettola.