Posts

Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Florence

Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Florence

As a vegetarian, it can be a hassle to find good restaurants to dine at during your travels. Unlike your meat-loving friends, you cannot take the easy option of getting a burger takeout. More often than not, you are left in the situation of watching on by the side, as your friends feast on a series of meaty delicacies. However, this will not be a problem anymore – not when you have our top five picks for vegetarian restaurants in Florence:

1. Brac 

If you like a cosy ambience, an engaging book to read while you eat, affordable meals and a fine selection of flavourful dishes, this is definitely the place to go. The piatta unico, consisting of a main dish, salad and bread with fillings, comes at an affordable price of €12. The generous portions of the dishes is icing on the cake. 

Round off your meal with an aromatic coffee. Choose from one fo the many books available in the restaurant, and settle snugly into your seat for an afternoon of reading. 

Note: The restaurant is open for reservations only.

Address: Via dei Vagellai, 18, 50122 Firenze, Italy
Phone:+39 055 094 4877

2. Il Vegetariano

Located in the heart of Florence, Il Vegetariano commenced its operations in 1981. The restaurant offers a different selection of items on its menu each day. The menu might not be extensive, but you can be assured that each and every dish served is of the highest quality, as much emphasis is placed on sourcing for fresh ingredients. Vegetariano also features a well-stocked salad bar filled with a mix of raw and steamed ingredients. A dining experience at this restaurant is highly economical – main courses are priced at €7.50 – €9, and starters have an average price of €5. 

Address: via delle Ruote, 30r 
Phone: 055 47 50 30

3. La Raccolta

La Raccolta started off as a grocery shop specialising in selling organic produce in 1985. The restuarant was set up fifteen years later, and boasts a menu featuring a wide range of wholesome organic dishes. A selection of vegetarian, gluten free and raw items are also available, making this an excellent dining spot for diners with food allergies. La Raccolta is known for dishing out unique dishes, such as an intrigung ravioli of red beets, oranges with cashew cream and melon.

Address: via G. Leopardi, 2r 
Phone: 055 24 79 068

4. Dolce Vegan

Perfect for health-conscious foodies, Dolce Vegan offers only vegan and organic items on their extensive menu. All starters and mains are priced below €10, making it an ideal stopover for budget travellers. An indulgent treat await dessert-lovers, for the restaurant offers a selection of tasty treats, such as the well-loved tiramisu and a decadent cheesecake with coconut and chocolate. These desserts are given a healthy twist, as no eggs, milk and honey are used. Be sure to give this eatery a go if you are travelling in Florence!

Address: Via San Gallow, 92r. Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39 055 019 5437

5. Sedano Allegro

Sedano Allegro's menu starts off on a promising note, offering a series of unique entrées such as the fried pumpkin flower with cream cheese, and baked aubergine stuffed with mushrooms. The rest of the menu is equally delightful – diners will find intriguing-sounding main courses such as the seitan escalopes with apples or mushrooms and vegetarian skewer. End of a scrumptious meal with one of their homemade desserts, or enjoy a fine glass of Tuscan of Italian wine. Mmm…perfect!

Address: Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 1, 50121 Firenze, Italy
Phone: +39 055 234 4020

6. Ristorante Le Fate

Le Fate is a newly opened restaurant, but it also has the most innovative dining concept in this list. Although the price range falls closer to that of a fine dining restaurant, rest assured that this place serves more than the typical vegetarian or vegan fare. From the colour of the food to the serving plates used, each and every aspect of the dining experience is specially crafted to align with the twelve astrological signs. Wine lovers will be delighted to know that Le Fate's wine list is curated to match the characteristics of each astrological sign.

Do not miss out on engaging in fascinating conversations with the owner, Serenella. An expert is astrology, it is likely that you will gain intriguing insights into the undiscovered traits of your star sign. 

Address: Via San Zanobi, 126r 50129 Florence Italy  
Phone: +39 055 3841998 

7. Join A Cooking Class in Florence

If you are an adventurer who loves to explore beyond guidebooks, why not join a culinary class in Florence? From choosing seasonal ingredients with a local, to cooking in the comforts of his/her home, this hands-on experience is truly one of a kind. For those with strict dietary restrictions, cooking your own food from scratch ensures that you are aware of all ingredients that make up your dish, allowing you to enjoy your meals with ease. 

If culinary pursuits do not float your boat, tucking into a sumptuous home-cooked meal definitely will. Feast on an amazing view of Florence as you dine alfresco, or tuck into a variety of traditional Tuscan delights in a cosy farmhouse

Image Credits: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 78

 

[icegram campaigns=”612″]

Food Bites: Falafel

Food Bites: Falafel

What is round, golden, crispy and tasty?

Why, we are referring to the falafel of course! Flavourful and nutritious, this Middle Eastern dish also packs a nutritious punch, for it are high in protein, complex carbohydrates and fibre.  

Origins: Shrouded In Mystery

The origins of this well-loved dish is shrouded in mystery. It is widely believed to have originated in Egypt, and created as a substitute for meat during the Lent Festival. Later on, the dish was introduced to the Levant region, where the locals used chickpeas instead of fava beans as the main ingredient for the dish.

Falafel Recipes: A Myriad of Ideas

Start off your culinary adventures by making the falafel from scratch. Whiz the ingredients together to form a smooth paste, round them into little balls, drop the falafel balls into a pan and fry them until they turn into a beautiful shade of golden brown.

With a tray of scrumptious falafel balls on hand, you may take a leaf out of Jamie Oliver’s cooking book by making a delicious falafel wrap with grilled vegetables and salsa. If you are not quite in the mood for having a toasty wrap, why not try your hand at putting together a falafel sandwich? After all, this is a quick and easy dish to put together, and it requires only a handful of ingredients to prepare.

If you are racking your brains over what to bring for a fun-filled potluck gathering, perhaps a falafel and hummus mezze platter may serve as the perfect sharing dish. Otherwise, a hearty falafel burger may do the trick, for it will certainly satisfy guests with a healthy appetite.

Self-professed health junkies will be delighted to follow this wholesome baked falafel salad to a T, starting from the process of preparing the falafel balls, to whipping up a light tahini and dill dressing sauce before tossing these ingredients together with fresh greens.

If you need a more substantial meal, go generous with the carbs by cooking up a dish of spaghetti with falafel balls.

Veggie junkies, don't miss out on these yummy vegetarian dining experiences: Gopi's Khazana, Vegetarian Cuisine in Florence, A Day with A Veggy Chef & Cooking Classes with Shalu

Image credits: Food People Want, Food52, Dishmaps

[icegram campaigns=”612″]