Any Italians around who could help me choose good restaurants in Florence and Sienna ?

Question

One of the things I hate when doing tourism is feeling a "tourist" all the time, but specially when eating at restaurants. So I would be grateful if people from Sienna and Florence could tell me the name and adresses of a few restaurants where they would take their families for real good Italian food and where quality-prize are good value. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

I am only familiar with Florence, but not Sienna.  

There are a few restaurants for a spectrum of budgetary limitations along the Piazza de la Republica.  A bit on the $$$ end, but the Hotel Savoy has a nice restaurant where you can choose to eat inside or outside, with exceptionally good food.  Across the street, there are a few restaurants for the budget-conscious with good food.

- Trattoria Carrozze. Piazza di Santa Trinita, behind the Ferragarmo store/museum (unfortunately, there is no outside seating)

- Ristorante Porcelina, Via Porta Rossa, just down from Piazza Della Republica

The Piazza della Signoria is a large square with shops and restaurants on either side, and many more along the side streets. At one end you will see a replica of the  David statue (the actual David is in the Accademia).

Along the main street that connects Il Duomo and the Ponto Vecchio, there are lots of little shops and gelatto stands.  At night (after 9 pm, or later) lots of the shops close but the gelatto stands are open and you will find many folks strolling along the streets.