Tips for Florence restaurants and shopping on a student budget?

Question

Going there for one month stay. Places to eat well on a dime?

Answer 1

the oil shoppe- a lot of students go there its 3.50 for a sandwich and 4.50 for a hot sandwich

Mama Toscana i heard is good the best tip i can tell you is that to look past the areas that a bit away from the major tourist areas (duomo, ponte vecchio, etc)

As for shopping. Zara is a must. stylish stuff for a good price. If u want to get any designer things check out the outlets there are 2 of them which have all the big named designers. There's The Mall which is about 45-hour bus ride away go to the Sita station which is by the bus station. Then theres the Barabarino Designer outlets. I didnt get a chance to go there but it is adversted everywhere. I know theres a bus that goes there but im not excatly sure where.

Florence is a easy city to walk around with and theres a lot of little streets that curve all around theres so much to explore!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

♦Nerbone serves great panino con bollito (boiled beef sandwich). Stall #292, 1st Floor, Mercato Centrale (Central Market), entrance on Via dell'Ariento. Perini's Deli can burst your picini8c baske, but no your wallet. They sell everything from prosciutto Toscana, cheese, wild boar meat sauce, marinated olives, sundried tomatoes, and whatever antipasti you can think of. They can vacuum-pack for you. They're also generous with their free samples.

Places to Eat:

♦Antico Noè

(Budget)

Santa Croce

Sandwich Legend

Volta di San Piero 6r 50122

Tel: [phone] (info)

It isn't pretty in this arcade but if you want to choose from almost 20 delicious, heaped and filling takeaway sandwiches from this Florentine institution, you'll have to run the gauntlet of the hobos. There's also reasonable food at the comfy cafe next door, where you can enjoy slow jazz and blues tunes with your meal.

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:30pm-3:00pm & 7:00pm-11:00pm

♦Caffè Coquinarius

(Mid Range)

Medieval Centre

Wine-Soaked

Via dell' Oche 15/r

Tel: [phone] (info)

An excellent choice outside rigid meal times, this laid-back and comfy cafe, housed in a former stables, has light and substantial dishes of crostini, salads, pastas and the usual meaty mains as well as more than a dozen wines by the glass.

Hours: 9:00am-11:30pm

Web: http://www.coquinarius.com

♦Giubbe Rosse

(Budget)

Duomo

Classic Coffee

Piazza della Repubblica 13-14/r

Tel: [phone] (info)

This venerable cafe (an early 20th-century hangout of Florentine futurists) takes its name from the 'red jackets' still worn by some of the waiters. There's outdoor seating and an atmospheric chandelier-lit interior lined with old photos and sketches. Ideal for a coffee despite the sometimes snippy staff.

Hours: 6:30am-2:00am

Web: http://www.giubberosse.it

Email: [e-mail]

♦Il Vegetariano

(Mid Range)

San Marco

Go Vego

Via delle Ruote 30/r

Tel: [phone] (info)

One of the few restaurants to seriously cater to vegetarians, this is an unassuming locale with a great selection of fresh food, salads and mains. The menu changes regularly, partly dictated by the availability of fresh produce. Try the gazpacho (a cool Spanish, tomato broth) or risotto integrale con radicchio rosso (whole rice risotto with red lettuce).

Hours: Mon-Fri 12:30pm-2:30pm & 7:30pm-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 7:30pm-10:30pm

♦Sostanza

(Mid Range)

Santa Maria Novella

Hands Off

Via del Porcellana 25r

Tel: [phone] (info)

This traditional Tuscan eatery is a good spot for bistecca alla fiorentina and The minestrone if you are not fussy about your surrounds. A no-nonsense approach dominates. Locals know the place as Il Troia - the (Male) **** - because they say its 19th-century owner had the habit of touching up his guests. Don't worry, he's long gone.

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:30pm-2:00pm amp; 7:30pm-9:30pm

♦Vini E Vecchi Sapori

(Budget)

Santa Croce

Rustic Sensation

Via dei Magazzini 3/r

Tel: [phone] (info)

This is an atmospheric cubbyhole where the charmingly miserable owner gives the impression that the background opera is the soundtrack to his life. The bar is laden with delicious antipasto, and the menu full of Tuscan specialities such as the sensational fagiolotti with pear and pecorino. Communal wine flows freely between tables.

Hours: Tue-Sat 12:30pm-2:30pm & 7:30pm-10:00pm; Sun 12:30pm-2:00pm

<*-*>

Answer 3

Best budget in town is definitely two trattorias in via Palazzuolo where you can have a full meal for 10-11 euros, on Via Palazzuolo not far from the station; they are called "Giorgio" (at Via Palazzuolo 100/R) and Il Contadino. Stay away from the Duomo/Santa Croce area and you should not be ripped off as much.

Answer 4

Basically, in italy, a place where people is not sitting is selling cheap stuff i mean for food, without naming it, if the service is low to average, they wouldnt charge you any, but if you prefer comfort, tourist area and  good view while sittingand eating than it wil cost more than 10 euros. Well chinese restaurants are affordable choice and if in emergency, the only will be mc donald. You will found hard to find ann open place for eating  after 13.00 to 15.00 so be aware. Tap water are everywhere, but not so much good in taste and condition compared to rome.

For shopping, go to market, its everywhere and try to know a little words of shopping to communicate, then your shopping will be more fun.  As I know, leather products should be on your top list as it is  seems to be  cheaper  there. And if you can shop  in non italian store ( such as albanian or chinese store, they sell cheaper). A lot of smile while shopping, communicate more than you will experience no price standard i mean : they will give you an exception in bargaining.  I got my 3 sweaters in siena only for  10 euros after my friends  got it for  15 euros each!.

Answer 5

Avoid the ristorantes and choose little local trattorias instead. Grab a pannini [little sandwich] for lunch or buy fresh fruit right off a vender's stand. Go directly to the bar for a cafe. There is a service charge expected when you take a table. Shop on the streets from outdoor venders. Savor every moment.

Answer 6

definately go shopping at the many outdoor market places especially near the church of san lorenzo where you can bargin. bargining is a must! the only day they don't have markets is monday. you can probably get the best deals at the weekend.

Answer 7

Zaza is a must.  Inexpensive , the food is fabulous and dined at by many celebs (See the wall inside.)  It's by Mercato Centrale.  For cheaper eats, try Il Pirata on Via Dei Ginori (near the corner of Via Guelfa).  It's a little deli right across from the apt I lived in and I think I single-handedly kept that man in business.  Try the pesto lasagna!  Buon appetito!