Restaurant and things to do in FLORENCE

Florence is a brilliant destination and there is enough for a week. And hopefully in November should be a lot less crowded. Number one tip is rent a bike for a few hours, or even half a day - the centre is very compact and mainly flat - and nobody seems to mind you riding around and through the crowds.

The Duomo (cathedral) is a must see - and the climb to the top of the dome is worth doing (unless you are very claustrophobic) and the climb up its tower is great too. Also visit the Plazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signora.  There are several other good churches to see - Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce. Walk over the iconic Ponto Vecchiio to the Plazzo Pitti.There are nice views of the city from the Giadino Bardini just over the river.  It’s a shame you don’t want to do art galleries because The Uffuzi is one of the world’s best. The corridor Varsi is an interesting high level route over the river from about the 1500s I think - unfortunately it still hadn’t been opened to the public last time I was there but should be now - will probably need advance booking. The sightseeing hop on/hop off bus is worth a go if you are short on time. 

If you don't like galleries then don't spend ages there but still worth doing Uffizi for the highlights - David is so impressive. Book in advance and you don't need to queue (for as long, at least)

PS re food I can’t remember restaurant names but this is Italy so and the food is nearly always great. Just head down any side street away from the main tourist hot spots for 100m and there will be loads of great places. If you and Mrs A like meat then try the Bistecca Florentine - a big T bone steak cooked over charcoal for two.

Pizza and gelato class , walkabout Florence

It was only 60 Euro a few years ago but free drink and food , get picked up from the city up to a place in the hills

Look it up on TripAdvisor 

Just relax and enjoy the place. The food locally is amazing and the vineyards are always worth a visit too.

For a different take on museums, the Stibbert Museum is worth a visit… Mostly arms and armour, collected by someone who knew what he was interested in and wasn’t too worried about cost or what other people thought!

Yep - usual rules apply. Avoid anywhere with a tourist menu. Stick to back streets and places that look small and you'll do well. There is an average chinese restaurant near the station we went to. After 13 days of italian food we needed something else.

Hunt out Vivoli - the oldest gelato shop. https://g.co/kgs/HXQiro

Take time to sip an Aperol Spritz and people watch.

Gilda Bistrot - superb homemade food at a tiny restaurant - menu is handwritten and done depending on what the owners Nona bought at the market the day.  It. Was. Superb.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/B3U3ypKnGhCEYSfK7

Also, as with all tourist places, be very aware of pickpockets and thieves. Three of our party of 20 had things stolen.

In no particular order:
Try the traditional tripe and bean-based dishes;
The Mercato Centrale is superb - the quality and colours of the food is stunning.
Duomo roof seconded - if you have time before, read Bruneleschi's Dome IIRC he took the job on, not knowing how it could be done.
The Bobli Gardens and Giardino Bardini
Rub the Porcellino's nose

IIRC he took the job on, not knowing how it could be done.

In the version I heard, he knew how he proposed to do it but refused to explain it to anyone, because then they could just nick his idea. So he didn't know if it would work, and the commissioners had to trust him with it.

+1 for heading down the backstreets looking for restaurants away from the tourists, where the Italians eat.

“David is so impressive” - Yes, but in The Galleria della Accademia.

Oops. Yes. That.

Don't try to take photos of the river if you are close to the American embassy. They get a bit pissy with you, so I'm told 😜

Do go to the Uffizi. Book in advance so you don’t have to queue.

Do not try to see everything, or even a small part of everything in the Uffizi. It is massive and even sticking with the paintings that you recognise takes too long.

I’d recommend choosing a couple of rooms and looking around them.

The David is well worth seeing. His hands are too big though.

Loads of great places to eat.

Don’t try to get a bargain on leather goods etc. It’s either really expensive on the high street, or questionable quality on the back street.

Bugger, I would have heartily recommended La Specola , the natural history museum with its incredible collection of taxidermy and anatomical waxworks, but it looks like it's closing for refurbishment in September for 18 months.

Forgot to mention, they’re very proud of their steaks, and they’re worth trying if you eat meat.

Ended up working in Palazzo Vecchio a couple of times. That's definitely worth a visit.

I didn't get to see that much of the touristy stuff, but just wandering around was enjoyable - the gardens are good, the Duomo and the other churches are great and yes - get a ticket up the dome of the Duomo. The engineering of it is quite fascinating (we got loaned a copy of Bruneleschi's Dome). The other half enjoyed the Mueso Stibbert.

Food - corner coffee shops for a quick standup sharpener and a pastry.

Mercato Central is ace in an "easier to eat there by default" kinda way. Downstairs is a standard food market. Upstairs is basically pick and mix - food vendors all round the edges, pick several courses that you like the look of. A couple of bars in the middle for drinks. Seating in between. Sensible pricing and good quality.

For something non-renaissance, there’s the largest model railway in Europe - https://www.hzero.com/en/museum/model-railway. We went when we’d been museum’d out and was very impressed

http://www.ristoranteaccademia.it/mobile/index.php

. ..This restaurant got a lot of our money when we spent a week in Florence...Superb. ( 10 yrs ago)