Located in the fourteenth-century Palazzo Salviati, the first thing you notice about Osteria del Caffé Italiano is the ambiance. Dim lighting, formally dressed waiters and attentive service give this restaurant an air of elegance and make it more of a place that you go for a nice dinner than for a casual stop between visiting landmarks. The food is traditional but refined and priced accordingly.

The dishes at Osteria del Caffé Italiano emphasize the use of quality Italian ingredients and classic preparations, but overall things feel a bit more oriented towards tourists than some of the smaller restaurants you’ll find in Florence. Osteria del Caffé Italiano makes food with finesse. The options on the menu are expansive and a bit overwhelming. Normally that would put us off, but if you resist the urge to order something familiar, the traditional dishes don’t disappoint.

Simple products stand out at Osteria del Caffé Italiano; particularly the cured meats, cheeses and wines. If you aren’t in the mood for a formal meal, you can enjoy something lighter at the adjacent pizzeria or cafe SUD, both offshoots of the Osteria. Although we didn’t have time during out visit to try the pizza, it has a fantastic reputation and is made Neapolitan style with only 3 typical varieties: Margherita, Napoli and Marinara. Although Osteria del Caffé Italiano lacks some of the charm that comes from dining in a place with obviously rustic roots, a meal here has plenty of flavor and style to make up for it.