Osteria Antica Mescita San Niccolò

This place was recommended to us by a local. We got there at 2:10 and the owner made sure to tell us they close for the afternoon at 2:30 and we could only order one dish. He expressed we should hurry and then told us what to order. The food came out quickly, piping hot, and so delicious. Very traditional recipes and worth it even if staff doesn't handle tourists super well. They reopen for dinner at 7. Recommend you go earlier or later then we did and you'll be fine!

Our waiter was Igor, and he took great care of us. We had a bottle of Brunello and the Florentine steak. Don’t forget to order the beans as a side. This place was a high point of our time in Florence. Make sure you have a reservation, it let’s them know you didn’t just stumble in on accident.

This place was highly recommended by our Airbnb host so we were excited to try it. I’ve read the 1-2 star reviews beforehand and got myself mentally prepared for mediocre service as a tourist, but wow our waiter was impatient and almost rude. But let me start with food. Food 3.5/5: First of all, it’s the kind of home cooking style restaurant. Pasta have simpler ingredients and are cheaper than the other places we’ve been in the city. We ordered the Toscono prosciutto, pappa al pomodoro, wild boar pasta, sautéed spinach, roasted potatoes and wine. The prosciutto was very good, but we haven’t had any bad ones in Florence so far. The spinach was actually surprisingly good. It was simply cooked with oil and garlic but very creamy in texture. The roasted potatoes look delicious, but a bit too dry inside for me. The tomato soup was okay. It’s very bready and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought. For the wild boar pasta, my bf liked it much better than me. I had high hopes based on the reviews but wasn’t blown away by it at all. Service: 2/5 Our waiter is a young guy that seems to hate his job. He seemed irritated and impatient the entire time, and spent more time flipping his hair than attending us. First of all, they sat all English speaking guests on the same side of the restaurant. I had to ask for the dishes and olive oils after our prosciutto board was served. Our server pretty much dumped everything he served on the table, and I’ve observed he did the same thing to the Asian couple next to us as well. When my bf asked him to repeat some dessert menu items, again his face looked very impatient. I do think the other waiters who briefly talked to us were much nicer and attentive. There was an older man who was serving a large group and he seemed attentive to them, and the guy at the checkout was very friendly. Our waiter? Didn’t say a single thing to us when we paid and left. We were definitely not grateful of his service at all and didn’t think he deserved a thank you. I’ve been to Europe multiple times and this was the worst service I’ve ever had. Maybe post covid time is different, but no, I do not recommend coming to this place if you are also a tourist.

This became our favorite restaurant in Florence. It’s off the tourist path, and the prices are amazing. Both times we had dinner it was under 50 euros (including wine!) The food is amazing and tastes like home cooking. So flavorful and authentic. The outside is the best, but can get packed, so get there early. Inside is a bit hot in the summer time, but the food is so good, I didn’t mind the heat.

I had been recommended to come to this restaurant by many people who had all had incredible experiences here, unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend coming here alone. I showed up close to opening time where I was reluctantly given a table in the back corner of the downstairs section of the restaurant (if you are someone who relies on your phone during meals for entertainment, there is no reception down there. A non issue for me as I would usually read). When I arrived downstairs the waiter ignored me waiting twice (in an empty room) before I stopped him to ask for a table to which he said “only you? Did you check with upstairs?”. I was told to give the name of the person who recommended the restaurant which I did and the waiter grunted in response. My server (a different man, equally unenthused) asked if I was ready to order and I asked for his recommendation: which he gave confidently and I took (delicious might I add). That was the last interaction I had with either waiter until he asked if I wanted a coffee at the end of my two courses (I figured he would at least ask if I wanted a second glass of wine). I’d also like to point out that every other table had their cheque and POS machine brought to their table where as I was told to give my table number to the till upstairs; I’m unsure however if this was to do with my being alone or the waiter being busy. Other than that the food was great, the wine delicious and the atmosphere of the joint is something I’d really like to experience again with a group perhaps. Or at least one other. Solo travelers maybe save this one.

Authentic Tuscan food and out of busy tourist zone. The chicken liver crostini is the best in town. The Florentine steak is incredible. Food is high quality, the atmosphere is authentic, and service is jovial. I eat here every time I'm in Florence.

Randomly found here while I was returning from Piazzale Michelangelo. We ordered a Florentine Steak and it was the highlight of my trip in Florence in terms of food. Great location, Florentine ambience & traditional dishes. Service was OK - but not great. We had a hard time communicating with servers- although we didn’t know Italian and it can be understood. But we found servers’ attitude a bit rude (except the long haired one!). The ambiance inside was warm with a lot of laughter, yelling (in a chaotic good way) and chatter.

Great restaurant for authentic Tuscan flavors and feel. They had quite a few vegetarian options. We tried the primavera pasta, a zucchini risotto and their house wine. The food was fresh and served hot and the wine tasted great too. The portion sizes were filling. We saw people around us also satisfied with their meals. They also had some good selection of desserts but we were too full to try them out. We ordered a home-made chocolate cake and it was palatable. I loved the ambience of the restaurant. It was an immersive experience. However, the staff can be more welcoming and friendly and better accommodating of people with small kids.