Best Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurants in Florence: from traditional staples to creative plant-based cuisine
Florence’s food scene is changing fast. Alongside trattorie and bistecca temples, the city now boasts a serious roster of vegetarian and vegan restaurants from legacy kitchens that have cooked meat-free since the 1980s to new-wave spots serving biodynamic plates and plant-based tasting menus.
This guide curates the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Florence, balancing tradition and innovation.
The classics: Florence’s vegetarian heritage
Il Vegetariano (since 1981) — San Lorenzo/Indipendenza
A pioneer of vegetarian cuisine in Florence, Il Vegetariano serves a changing, market-led menu (think soups, baked vegetable pies, whole-grain salads) in a cozy, communal setting. It’s the city’s go-to “old school” veg address simple, fresh, hearty. Reservations recommended at peak times.
Ruth’s Kosher — Sant’Ambrogio
Next to Florence’s synagogue, Ruth’s is a kosher vegetarian restaurant with Middle Eastern and Italian Jewish dishes falafel, shakshuka, Roman-Jewish fried artichokes, plus fish plates for pescatarians. It’s a cultural experience as much as a meal.
5 e Cinque — Oltrarno (Piazza della Passera)
Organic, seasonal, and largely Ligurian-inspired, 5 e Cinque is beloved for farinata/cecina, filled focacce, handmade pastas, and a thoughtful natural wine list a perfect vegetarian restaurant for a slow lunch near Palazzo Pitti.
Contemporary & creative, Vegan & Vegetarian
ORA — San Lorenzo
A vegetarian gourmet restaurant focused on organic/biodynamic produce. Expect elegant plating, a curated wine list, and a dinner service that feels grown-up without being stuffy. Ideal for a date night that happens to be meat-free.
L’OV – L’Osteria Vegetariana — Oltrarno
“An osteria for everyone” with a playful menu format (sections like “prima/dopo/e poi”) that reworks regional Italian dishes in vegetarian and vegan keys, great for mixed-diet groups in the lively Oltrarno quarter.
Libreria Brac — Santa Croce
A beloved bookshop-bistro known for seasonal plates (don’t miss the “piatto misto”). It’s intimate, creative, and very Florentine reserve ahead.
Nirvana — Via il Prato
Long-running restaurant with a wellness bent balanced menus, house desserts (yes, vegan tiramisù makes appearances), and a calm dining room.
Fast & casual: best vegetarian street food in Florence
Veg&Veg — Mercato Centrale (1st floor)
A handy bistrò inside the Central Market for bowls, pad thai, avocado toast, and hummus plates perfect when you want a quick, meat-free option near San Lorenzo.
Santo Falafel — Santo Spirito
A 100% vegan Middle Eastern spot for falafel, hummus in multiple flavors, salads and pitas; open all day and great value. Grab and go, or perch with a craft beer before wandering the Oltrarno.
Il Vegano Bistrot — San Gallo
A friendly, affordable bistrot serving plant-based Italian comfort (pastas, mains, desserts) with organic ingredients and gluten-free options. Convenient from the Accademia/Galleria area.
Health-forward cafés & juice bars: light vegetarian pause
Carduccio – Il Salotto Bio — Santo Spirito
Half cafe, half organic pantry: cold-pressed juices, salads, sandwiches, and vegetarian/vegan plates with a natural-wine tilt. A calm stop just off Pitti Palace for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner.
Base V Juicery — city center
A reliable vegetarian cafe for smoothie bowls, toasts, salads and juices, ideal between museums or as a post-run refuel. Check the Via de’ Guicciardini or Via dei Neri shops for central access.
Raw Vegan Firenze — Santo Spirito
Florence’s dedicated raw-vegan cafe: cold-pressed juices, raw desserts, savory nori rolls and bowls. Morning/early-afternoon hours make it a great brunch stop.
How to build your own vegetarian & vegan food tour in Florence
- Start with heritage. Have lunch at Il Vegetariano to taste the city’s early meat-free movement. Then cross the river to 5 e Cinque for organic, Ligurian-Tuscan comfort and a glass of natural wine.
- Spend an evening with modern plates. Book ORA or L’OV for creative dinners; finish with a stroll across Ponte Vecchio.
- Keep a casual day handy. For quick lunches, Veg&Veg at Mercato Centrale or Santo Falafel in Santo Spirito are dependable and fully plant-forward.
- Add a cultural detour. Try Ruth’s near the synagogue for kosher vegetarian cuisine a distinctive strand of Florence’s food story.
What you’ll actually eat (and love)
- Traditional Tuscan, veg-style: ribollita, panzanella, cecina, baked vegetable sformatini.
- Modern Italian vegetarian: seitan “straccetti”, seasonal veg carpaccios, biodynamic grains, fermented sides.
- Middle Eastern vegan comfort: falafel, fattoush, hummus with toppings.
- Raw & juice bar staples: cold-pressed juices, raw cakes, avocado-based toasts.
Practical tips for plant-based travelers
- Book dinners at small creative spots like Libreria Brac and ORA; they fill up quickly.
- Check hours: some venues open only for dinner (ORA) or close early afternoon (raw/juice bars).
- Markets are allies: Veg&Veg in Mercato Centrale is perfect when everyone wants something different.
- Gluten-free friends: while not fully veg, Quinoa is 100% gluten-free with many vegetarian/vegan options, handy for mixed-needs groups.