A reservation is an absolute necessity at this very traditional and very popular Florentine trattoria. The white-tiled walls are hung with photographs and prints; hard wooden benches and tables run along the perimeter, and more tables are squeezed into the center. The menu is decidedly Tuscan with highlights like finocchiona (a fennel-flecked salami), slow-cooked beans, tortino di carciofi (artichoke in swirl of whipped eggs), and butter chicken, which is served sizzling in the pan.

Since opening its doors in 1869, this trattoria has been serving top-notch, unpretentious food to Florentines who like their bistecca fiorentina very large and very rare. Along with fine Tuscan classics, they have two signature dishes: the tortino di carciofi (artichoke tart) and the pollo al burro (chicken with butter). Leave room for dessert, as their torta alla Meringa (a semi-frozen dessert flecked with chocolate and topped with meringue) is scrumptious.

Sostanza has a menu that hasn’t changed since it opened in 1869, and it’s one of those places that everyone knows, maybe a little too well. But the experience is so Florentine, serving up dishes you can’t find anywhere else, that you kind of have to try it at least once. Specifically for the chicken that's seared in a butter bath over hot coals and served in the steel pan it was cooked in.

Largely unchanged for 150 years; it really does feel like you are stepping back in time when you walk through the door. Located in a run-down part of the city, it was known for many years as Il Troia, which translates as “the whore” or “the trough” or “the pigsty” depending on which local you talk to. There are only six tables and a tiny open kitchen, where two chefs manage a simple menu of Florentine classics and a few Sostanza signature dishes.

Trattoria Sostanza, popularly known as 'Il Troia', has been in the same location in Florence for 5 generations. Originally a butcher's shop, the white tiles and wooden tables are still part of the decor, and it should come as no surprise that Florentine steak is one of their specialties. The exceptionally friendly owners run the restaurant as they have always done and serve the same excellent food, it is cozy and has no pretensions.

Trattoria da Sostanza ( Via del Porcellana 25R) may have upped their Instagram game in recent years, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re a tourist trap!. The menu of Tuscan classics, family-style seating arrangement and cash-only operation make eating here a unique, authentically Italian experience. While you can enjoy an excellent bistecca at Sostanza, the signature butter chicken and artichoke pie are truly special.

It doesn’t get more authentic than a perfectly tender Bistecca alla Fiorentina cooked on a historic wood-burning stove over a searing-hot charcoal grill. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom, so you can witness the chefs first-hand as they prepare your food. This cosy trattoria has been serving up Florentine favourites since 1869 and the steak and buttered chicken here are two meals you won’t easily forget.

You have most likely heard of Trattoria Sostanza if you have opened any guide book about Florence. It’s considered the city’s most famous restaurant and despite the wait even to book a table, us locals keep coming back for more. They are famous for serving classic Tuscan dishes that adhere to the season, most famously their pollo al burro or their buttered chicken and the tortino di carciofi, a type of artichoke omelet.

This family-run spot is only open during the week and only accepts cash, so be sure you head to a nearby ATM before heading here. But the small effort is well worth the reward if this family operation that has been serving up Florentine steaks and chicken cooked in butter sauce for generations. Trattoria Sostanza is the perfect example of simple and affordable Italian cooking done right.

Substance over form” is the motto of this rustic trattoria tucked away on Via della Porcellana. As you step inside, you’ll feel catapulted into an ancient butcher shop, with white tiles on the walls and staff with white 50s style uniforms. The menu changes daily and offers dishes that have been passed down from one generation to the next, ever since the trattoria’s opening in 1869.

Trattoria Sostanza is, simply put, one of the best Florence restaurants you will ever encounter. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable but still special enough for a nice night out or perhaps your final lunch or dinner in Florence. It’s a family-owned and operated restaurant, and the attention to detail is evident from the minute you walk in through your last bite of dessert.

On our second trip to Florence, we narrowed our search down to the two most famous restaurants, Trattoria Sostanza and Buca Mario, we set out to test the bistecca. If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you probably know which restaurant is my favorite, but if you haven’t (or if you just stumbled upon it while looking for the best bistecca in Florence!), keep reading!

Quaint, cozy, and understated, Trattoria Sostanza is a little-known hidden gem of a steakhouse in Florence that stands out among the other best restaurants offering Florentine steak on this list. However, it has been getting more popular in recent times. The warm ambiance, picture frame-covered walls, and welcoming staff all contribute to the charm of Sostanza.

For a true authentic meal, follow the Florentine locals to Trattoria Sostanza. The eatery has been in business since 1869, and its menu reflects the methods of cooking that have been passed down from generations. Must-orders include the artichoke tart and the bistecca alla fiorentina, a massive slab of meat that is roasted over an ancient wood-burning stove.

Trattoria Sostanza, a renowned culinary destination in Florence, has long been celebrated for its 'Pollo al Burro'. However, it's the 'Tagliolini al Limone' that truly captures the essence of Tuscany. This exquisite dish, featuring delicate pasta enveloped in a light, lemon-infused cream sauce, offers a burst of zesty flavor that refreshes the palate.

If it were one, ok maybe two, places only and I really wanted something comfortingly, traditionally Florentine, I would go to a classy trattoria like Burde (which is a little out of town but an easy cab ride) or, right in the heart of town, Sostanza, where you must try the butter chicken, it’s been their specialty for decades.

Try the tortino di carciofi, which is buttery, “artichoke and egg splendor,” Toni says. “If they ask you what you want for your last meal on Earth…you want the tortino di carciofi.” If you’re a meat eater staying in the city center, this is also the place to get Florentine steak, which is usually shared between two people.

Dining at Trattoria Sostanza feels like stepping into a preserved slice of Florence, and it’s easily one of my first choices in the city. The white-tiled walls, the tightly packed tables, the two-item paper menu—it’s all part of the experience. But the food is what makes people come back, and I count myself among them.

Step right into the past in this homestyle trattoria close to the Santa Maria Novella train station. Sostanza is a staple with locals and visitors alike, serving up delicious meals for both lunch and dinner at prices designed for the local community. Their butter chicken is famous among regular clients, don’t miss it!

I personally have eaten at a restaurant called Trattoria Sostanza TWICE because it is that good!. The first time I went it wasn’t very famous yet so we didn’t even need reservation. The second time I went you needed a reservation but we waited there before it opened for dinner, so we were able to grab a seat.

Trattoria Sostanza is one of the best restaurants in Tuscany, if not all of Italy. With over a century of experience, the family-run eatery has perfected the art of traditional and delicious Tuscan cuisine. From hearty pastas to tender grilled meats, there is something for everyone at Trattoria Sostanza.

Trattoria Sostanza I’ve changed my tune here, I wouldn’t normally recommend but it is a vibe and the steak is memorable. I just still have qualms with the fact you have to book weeks in advance and the pasta is worth skipping. But it is small and has been discovered for some years now, so makes sense.

Founded in 1869, Trattoria Sostanza is also known as "Il Troia" by locals. This small restaurant is famous for its simple yet delicious dishes, such as butter chicken breast and bistecca alla fiorentina. The kitchen is open, allowing guests to see the chefs at work in a rustic and informal setting.

Sostanza is your go-to spot for traditional, no-frills food. In this bustling trattoria, savor simple pastas, flavorful grilled meats, and their famous buttered chicken. The compact space creates a lively atmosphere, offering reasonably priced Bistecca Fiorentina and delightful artichoke omelets.

Also known as 'Il Troia', the trattoria is one of the city's historic ones. It welcomes customers in a simple and traditional ambience. Some of the must-try dishes, apart from the unmissable steak, are tripe, zuppa paesana (country soup) and chicken breasts in butter accompanied by artichoke pie.

On a quiet road near Santa Maria Novella, you step inside Sostanza and like ‘Midnight in Paris’, you enter another world. This Florentine institution stimulates all the senses from the get go. The smell of florentine leather mingles with irresistible aromas wafting from the smallest kitchen.

The simplest dishes become gastronomic highlights in the tiny kitchen: meat stock in a cup (exceptional!), a barely cooked artichoke omelette (heaven!) and their prized sizzling butter chicken breasts (astonishing!). Expect neither well-mannered waiters nor coffee – and bring cash.

Trattoria Sostanza is a small, welcoming spot in Florence that has been serving guests for more than a century. People keep returning for its straightforward cooking and friendly, efficient service. It’s a cozy place where you can enjoy a relaxed meal that feels like home.

Trattoria Sostanza – A cozy, single-room trattoria with just a few tables. In the back, the small kitchen with open windows lets you watch the chefs as they char-grill your steak or whip up a warm plate of pasta. This is one of my favorite restaurants in Florence.

Another Florentine institution where seasonal must-trys include artichoke omelette and butter chicken (petti di pollo al burro). Get cozy with your fellow diners under a rustic vaulted ceiling on communal tables at this fuss-free trattoria on Via del Porcellana.

Few typical dishes, few tables and a pleasant and traditional atmosphere: Trattoria Il Sostanza’s aim is to send guests home only if they are really satisfied. Tortellini in broth and buttered chicken are the house specialties. Address: Via del Porcellana, 25/R

The smell of butter inside the tight trattoria is intoxicating; it’s almost enough to get drunk off of without opening a bottle of wine. But it would be a mistake to stop with the chicken. Buy the wine, order off every section of the menu, and take your time.

Here, less is more, and an open-fire kitchen adds a little extra something to the tight menu. Hours are strict hours; 2 PM is already too late for lunch. Must Order: Tortellini in brodo, pollo al burro (butter chicken) and il tortino di carciofi.

Trattoria Sostansa, Via del Porcellana, 25/R, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy, is a restaurant you don’t want to miss. We had the best chicken breast I have ever had. The Butter Chicken Breast comes 2 breasts to an order and is cooked in butter.

Unsurprisingly, one of the best and most beloved restaurants in town is Trattoria Sostanza, a locals’ favorite near Santa Maria Novella square, which serves rustic home style food in a friendly, unpretentious ambiance.

This rustic trattoria is well-known for its Florentine steak and butter chicken. A quaint venue, it’s popular among locals and tourists for over 150 years.

Our last steak dinner with the guides was at Osteria dell’Enoteca, and I also recommend Parione and Trattoria Sostanza (Via del Porcellana, 25/R).