Il Latini

An eating house since 1911

Il Latini is at Via dei Palchetti, 6/R, a short street next to Palazzo Rucellai, about ten minutes' walk from the Ponte Vecchio and Santa Maria Novella. It began in 1911 as a fiaschetteria, a wine shop with something to eat, opened by Angelo Latini. Narciso and his wife, Maria, turned it into a restaurant: Maria brought the food from home to a few tables set up in the palace cellars. Today it is run by the fourth generation, and the company that operates it has its registered office in Brescia.

It is a large trattoria, with ceilings with hams and cured meats hanging, a grill in view, a counter for slicing the cured meat by knife and a wine window, the buchetta.

What to order and how much it costs

The menu is classic Tuscan. For starters, Tuscan crostini at €8, cured meats cut by knife at €9 or an assortment at €18. For first courses, at €13, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro and farro and bean soup, and pastas such as paccheri with wild boar, at €15. For main courses, tripe alla fiorentina at €17, peposo and Florentine stew at €18, or galletto al mattone at €23.

The bistecca alla fiorentina is charged by the kilo: €58 for the T-bone, €68 for the fillet, and €95 and €120 if it is certified Chianina breed. It is served rare. Side dishes cost €7 and desserts €8, including cantucci with vin santo. There is also a tasting menu; the website does not publish its price on the menu.

When to go and how to book

The kitchen is open Tuesday to Sunday evening, from 19:30 to 22:30, and at lunchtime only on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12:30 to 14:30. Monday does not appear in the hours. Book online on its booking page, by phone or by email. As it opens on Sunday at lunchtime, it is wise to book ahead that day.