Dining/living in the Oltrarno area of Florence

[Procrastibaker]

Hi all,
We will be living in this area for six weeks starting next week. We'll have a good kitchen and I'm excited to cook while there. We have visited the city before but not for many years and not for this long. I'd love any information on where to shop or on places to eat out, especially places that won't mind small children. Thanks!

[Procrastibaker]

Thanks all! Just found our neighborhood is La Gavinana if that helps.

[Bugsey34]

In that case forget about the Esselunga I told you about, there is a huge Coop in Gavinana, a really nice one. It even has a wine store inside the huge supermarket.

[Procrastibaker]

Thank you! This is great to know. I appreciate all the input everyone.

[Bugsey34]

In general small children aren't a problem at restaurants in Italy.

I second Santo Bevitore and Casalinga as very good in the area. Gusta Pizza is also good, and good for a takeout pizza night with the kids, it's on the corner of Via Maggio and the piazza of Santo Spirito. They also have a sandwich place around the corner in Piazza Santo Spirito called GustaPanino, good for a picnic.

The largest supermarket in the area is a big Esselunga on Via Pisana, 130. It might be a bit of a walk for you but it is worth it since all the smaller ones (I'm thinking of Meta in front of Piazza Pitti) will be much more expensive and geared towards tourists. There's also a Centro supermarket on Via Romana, 113.

[jen kalb]

Lucky you for this time in Florence.
Here's what we currentlyhave mapped on Chowhound for Oltrarno.Click on the names for additional info
http://www.chow.com/search?query=Oltr...

[PigsOnTour]

I found this website very useful when researching Florence as you can search by area, including East and West Oltrarno:

http://www.letsgo.com/21010-tuscany-t...

[minchilli]

Lot's of great places!
Il Santo Bevitore - great value
Casalinga - very old fashioned trattoria
Tripperia Il Magazzino - Tripe and more
5 Cinque - New place, small, great rustic tarts
Osteria Personale - for grownups night out (not for kids, but do not miss)
Cafe del Artigiani - very casual and relaxed. And check out their new geleteria across the alley.
Assuming you are on that side of the Oltrarno? Not the San Niccolo side?

Elizabeth
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www.elizabethminchilli.com

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Il Santo Bevitore
Via Santa Spirito 64r, Florence, Tuscany 50125, IT

[DavidT]

Hear is a recent thread & article about 2 places in the Oltrarno. Not sure how child friendly they are.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/777717