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Every time I walked by Mercato Centrale in Florence, Italy, I saw a line wrapped around Piazza del Mercato Central filled with patrons waiting for a table at Trattoria Zà Zà.
Finally, when a group of friends visited me in Italy, I made a reservation to try out this Tuscan restaurant everyone raved about.
Let me tell you–it was entirely worth the wait!
If you’re after a true taste of Florence, look no further than Trattoria Zà Zà.
Located next to the bustling Mercato Centrale by the Basilica di San Lorenzo, this classic trattoria has served delicious traditional Florentine dishes for over 40 years.
From the homemade pasta dishes to the generous portions of house wine, every meal at Trattoria Zà Zà is an unforgettable culinary experience.
From start to finish, my experience at Trattoria Zà Zà was outstanding–continue on to read my Trattoria Zà Zà review!
Overview of Trattoria Zà Zà
- Address: Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26r, 50123 Firenze FL, Italia
- Price Rating: $$
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Trattoria Zà Zà, and I can honestly say it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in Florence!
The atmosphere at Trattoria Zà Zà is warm and inviting–perfect for a romantic dinner or for gathering friends for a special occasion.
The prices are incredibly reasonable,
The service is attentive, friendly, and efficient, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Where to Find Trattoria Zà Zà
Trattoria Zà Zà is found in Piazza del Mercato Centrale in the historic city center of Florence, Italy.
You’ll pass right behind the city’s famous Mercato Centrale, where you can purchase fresh produce and food products on the first floor and enjoy Tuscan and international cuisine at their food hall on the second floor.
The restaurant even purchases its ingredients from vendors at the market every day!
In line with the tradition of excellent Italian food, their fresh ingredients, reasonable prices, and fantastic food make Trattoria Zà Zà one of my favorite restaurants in the city.
History of Trattoria Zà Zà
Trattoria Zà Zà has been a Florence institution since 1977.
Founded by native Florentine Stefano Bondi, the restaurant quickly became renowned for its hearty, traditional Italian dishes and warm atmosphere.
Trattoria Zà Zà is full of history and charm. Inside the restaurant, you’ll find nine different dining sections.
Each room has been carefully decorated with its own theme or honoring the history of what the rooms were initially.
Unique furnishings such as tables, old cupboards, and antiques from around the world adorn their indoor dining space, while their outdoor dining tables are right on the piazza.
The thick stonewalls, vaulted ceilings, and original floors dating back to the 1600s create the perfect romantic restaurant atmosphere that will keep you coming back for more.
Trattoria Zà Zà’s Menu
Trattoria Zà Zà’s menu consists of classic Florentine dishes using local, fresh ingredients.
If you need to become more familiar with Florentine cuisine, it’s all about using the freshest and best-quality ingredients to create simple yet flavorful dishes that highlight the region’s culinary traditions.
Locally sourced ingredients such as meats, vegetables, and cheeses are the stars of the show on your plate.
In fact, the region is renowned for its Chianina beef, a lean meat that’s absolutely delicious when cooked to perfection.
Fresh herbs and spices like rosemary, sage, and garlic are also used to enhance the natural flavors of the dishes.
And if you’re a foodie, you might have heard about Tuscan truffles.
Six different types of truffles are found underground in the Tuscany region of Italy. They are highly prized for their rich, earthy flavor and pungent aroma.
What dishes to order at Trattoria Zà Zà
While enjoying our meal and chatting with my friends about our Trattoria Zà Zà review, I discovered that is nothing you could order on this menu that you wouldn’t absolutely love.
But if you want to explore typical Tuscan cuisine, several dishes are worth noting.
One of the most famous dishes of Florentine cuisine is the famous steak dish, bistecca alla fiorentina.
It’s a thick cut of tenderloin steak or T-bone steak that’s grilled and served rare; at Trattoria Zà Zà, you can order it by the kilo.
If you can’t possibly finish a whole bloody steak by yourself or with your partners-in-food, you can choose their grilled steak with porcini mushrooms or grilled beef slices with a creamy truffle sauce and rosemary potatoes.
Trattoria Zà Zà highlights truffles in many dishes on its menu, from shaved onto its kinds of pasta to sauces for its meat courses.
A few of my Tuscan recommendations are Siena Pici pasta Zà Zà style, pappardelle pasta in a wild boar sauce, and tagliatelle pasta in a creamy truffle sauce.
If you’re feeling adventurous, don’t miss the chance to try the appetizer crostini di fegato–small toasts topped with a chicken liver pâté.
Pappa al pomodoro, a tomato and bread soup, is a popular Florentine dish that’s as delicious as it is comforting. It’s perfect for cold winter days and will warm you up from the inside out.
And Trattoria Zà Zà also offers a pizza menu.
Tips for Eating at Trattoria Zà Zà
If you plan on eating at Trattoria Zà Zà, here are a few tips to remember.
👉 Order the house wine
I highly recommend ordering the house wine if you’re looking for a great way to complete your tasty meal at Trattoria Zà Zà.
Their delicious reds are proprietary to the restaurant and pair perfectly with its classic Italian dishes.
They offer a Chianti Zà Zà D.O.C.G. and an organic Chianti Classico Gallo Nero.
We ordered the Chianti Zà Zà D.O.C.G. wine to enjoy alongside our meals.
It’s reasonably priced, and the smooth taste is delightful, with just enough body to balance out the flavors in the food.
Along with the wines, under the Zà brand, you can purchase their balsamic vinegar, olive oil, soap, and recipe books to bring home as a Florence souvenir.
👉 Make a reservation in advance
Unless you want to wait in very long lines, you need to make a reservation in advance.
Although this popular restaurant is one of my favorite places to eat in Florence, Italy, it’s always packed.
The atmosphere is lively, the service is friendly and efficient, and the food is simply divine–but the waits are long if you try to walk in.
Making a reservation ahead of time guarantees you get a table without waiting in line for hours.
👉 Note the coperto
When you receive your receipt from a restaurant anywhere in Italy, you’ll likely see the word coperto at the top or bottom of your bill.
Sometimes written out as pane e coperto, it means exactly as it translates–bread and cover.
This charge, usually between €2 to €4, is your cover charge for eating at the restaurant.
Since there is no tipping in Italy, the nominal fee includes the cost of your bread (and sometimes linens) for the establishment.
My Honest Review of Trattoria Zà Zà
Overall, my experience at Trattoria Zà Zà was nothing short of excellent.
The last time I was there, my friends and I ordered a variety of dishes–bruschetta al pomodoro,
fettuccine al pesto, ravioli alla crema di noci, pollo fritto, and fettuccine alla crema di tartufo–along with the house red wine and a special Zà Zà spritz for drinks, and tiramisù and torta di cioccolato for dessert.
Everything was outstanding.
The portion sizes were perfect for me, which I appreciated.
I felt like I got to experience an amazing food experience without overstuffing myself or going overboard on truffles.
The best part? The prices are incredibly reasonable for such delicious food.
From the friendly staff to the delicious food, everything was top-notch.
My nice dinner at Trattoria Zà Zà was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in the city, and it’s definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Florence!
Trattoria Zà Zà Review: Wrap-Up
Trattoria Zà Zà is one of my favorite restaurants in Florence. This cozy spot serves up traditional Tuscan cuisine with a warm and inviting ambiance.
What I love most about Trattoria Zà Zà is the incredible attention to detail that goes into every aspect of the dining experience.
Everything about this restaurant is designed to make you feel like a valued guest, from the charming decor to the impeccable service.
But of course, the real star of the show here is the food. The menu is full of classic Tuscan dishes made with the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients.
Each dish bursts with flavor, and the presentation is always beautiful.
All in all, I highly recommend Trattoria Zà Zà to anyone visiting Florence–just be sure to make a reservation for dinner.
Winter, spring, summer, fall–there is no one particular “best time” to visit Trattoria Zà Zà.
It’s a must-visit spot for anyone who loves a wonderful meal, warm hospitality, and a cozy atmosphere in any season.
Whether you’re enjoying a romantic dinner for two or a night out with friends, Trattoria Zà Zà is sure to impress.
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