Santa Felicita

First day in Florence and seven of us stopped for lunch. The seafood salad was excellent. Everyone got a. Different dish and all were terrific. On a pleasant outdoor seating away from the sun.

We are from the United States and wanted an authentic Italian meal at a reasonable cost — this hit the mark! Very delicious and the staff was so accommodating and nice. They wanted to show us a good time as their guests — and they did! Our thanks!

Service was excellent, our waiter was attentive and friendly.
The setting was in a nice little courtyard, and as it got darker some musicians set themselves up in the center and began to play. Very romantic!
My food was amazing. I had the dinner option 1, with penne alla arrabiata, chicken and roasted veggies, and dessert. Along with my glass of pinot grigio it was divine. The servings were plenty, I was full but not stuffed at the end of the meal. I kept looking at my husband and repeating «its sooo good!!!»
Why 4 stars? My husband’s veal was severely lacking in flavor and texture. The lemon sauce (read bath) completely dominated, likely covering up the not so great meat. Not sure if veal is a cheap meat in Italy, but it wasn’t what I was expecting compared to what I’ve had in the states.
Big save with the dessert (tiramisu and pistachio panna cotta) followed up with a cappuccino (for him), a caffe macchiato (for me) and a complimentary limoncello (for us.)
Our 3 course meal with 3 glasses of wine and the coffees came out to about € 60

This one of those restaurants that at a simple glance you my have your doubts, not because it has anything negative, but it’s location is not in the best view. It’s in a little Piazza next to Santa Felicita Church, and like I said if you stand in front of it, you may be fooled by it’s simple looks. After debating in which of the three restaurants located in the Piazza I would take a chance in, I decided for this one, because it had more Italians dining in.
The prices are very competitive and the service is outstanding, incredibly tourist friendly and now how to make you feel confortable to ask any questions and even try your Italian.
I must say, I had the one of BEST Risotto here, out of all the places I tried in Italy, from Milano, Arezzo, Vercelli, Torino, Verona and Cortona. Theirs was simple and yet so amazingly delicious !! It was a seafood Risotto for only 14,00 €. I also had a octopus salad, that was to die for, with olive oil herbs and a touch of citrus, 10.00 €.
I would recommend this over most of all the high end restaurants in Florence, I went to three other supposedly great restaurants but were a let down, I didn’t even want to write review, they weren’t bad but for the price point they weren’t good either. This is my review anyhow of this one here, if you find yourself at the other end of Ponte Vecchio and want good honest food, accompanied by great service and good wine, than give Santa Felicita a try, you wont regret it.

We loved every bite of the spaghetti with clam sauce, seafood fettuccine, and the veal with porccinni mushrooms. Delightful location in the courtyard by a church with darling frescoes of angels delivering wine and bread from heaven.

Great prices compared to surrounding area ! € 14 for a bottle of chianti wine (place directly across the street was € 22). € 6 for a margarita pizza. Good food, friendly staff, free wifi.