Last Visit: February 2025
My Rating: 9/10
Price: €€€/€€€€€
Address: Via dei Macci, 122r, Florence
Opening Hours: Open for lunch and dinner (recommended to check updated hours)
Phone: +39 055 234 1100
Reservation: Recommended
In the vibrant heart of Florence, amidst the historic streets of the Sant’Ambrogio district, lies a place capable of narrating Tuscany’s gastronomic tradition with a touch of authentic magic: Trattoria Cibrèo, also known as Il Cibrèino. This trattoria is not just a landmark for Florentines but a true institution for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in the genuine, unmistakable flavors of local cuisine. If you’re looking for a place to eat like a local in Florence, Trattoria Cibrèo is the right choice.
The Authentic Atmosphere of a Characteristic Venue
As soon as you step inside Trattoria Cibrèo, you’re welcomed by an environment that tells stories of conviviality and a passion for good food. The simple, unpretentious décor, with wooden tables and straw chairs, creates a warm, familiar, and traditional atmosphere. There’s a slight touch of shabby chic in the furnishings, tastefully and sparingly arranged, without trying too hard to appear in a design magazine or on a trendy Instagram page.
The walls are adorned with photographs and details that recall the history of the trattoria and the neighborhood, making the place a perfect blend of tradition and hospitality.
The charm of Trattoria Cibrèo lies precisely in its ability to make every guest feel at home, thanks to an environment that celebrates the authentic simplicity of old-style trattorias. It’s not a place designed to impress with flashy effects but rather a spot where the essence of Tuscan cuisine comes to life through every detail.
A Menu That Masterfully Tells the Story of Tradition
The true star of Trattoria Cibrèo is the cuisine. The menu changes with the seasons, following the availability of fresh, local products. Each dish is a tribute to Tuscan tradition, prepared with technical mastery that enhances the simplicity of the ingredients.
Appetizers That Delight the Palate
Among the appetizers, standout dishes include Scordiglià, a sauce made from almonds, breadcrumbs, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, served with crispy bread triangles. This simple yet flavorful dish perfectly embodies the trattoria’s philosophy: quality ingredients, handled with respect and creativity.
An essential dish is lampredotto, one of Florence’s most iconic specialties. It’s a stew made with the abomasum, the fourth stomach of the cow, cut into pieces and cooked in a particularly rich and flavorful broth. In Florence, lampredotto is an institution—you’ll find it interpreted in various ways across trattorias, restaurants, and even street food stalls around the city. The lampredotto at Cibrèo is a marvel of balance, combining the intense flavor that this dish inevitably carries with the delicacy of the broth, enriched by a variety and complexity of aromas rarely found in the average Florentine offering.
During my last visit, I also had the chance to savor an outstanding dish of seppie in zimino. This is a dish I usually order with some hesitation, as it’s rare to find it expertly prepared—especially in a city like Florence, which isn’t by the sea. However, the seppie in zimino at Cibrèo, stewed with cuttlefish ink, Swiss chard, and a strong aromatic base, turned out to be phenomenal—a true triumph of flavors, rivaling the unforgettable cuttlefish I once enjoyed at Ortigia Fish Bar.
First Courses: A Symphony of Flavors
The first courses at Trattoria Cibrèo are a tribute to traditional Tuscan home cooking. The Sformato of the Day, often made with potatoes and ricotta, served with a flavorful ragù, is a perfect example of how simplicity and taste can go hand in hand. Every bite reflects the care and attention put into its preparation, with flavors that blend harmoniously.
Another must-try dish is the Ribollita, a rustic soup made with stale bread, black cabbage (cavolo nero), and seasonal vegetables. Its thick texture and rich flavor make it the ultimate comfort food, capable of warming the heart in any season.
Main Courses That Celebrate Tuscan Meat
Trattoria Cibrèo also excels in its main courses, offering dishes that honor Tuscany’s rich meat traditions. The Gran Pezzo, a perfectly roasted beef dish, is one of the most beloved items on the menu, praised for its tenderness and bold flavor.
Also worth trying is the Lemon Chicken, slowly cooked to retain its juiciness and infused with aromatic notes that enhance the natural flavor of the meat.
Homemade Desserts: The Perfect Finale
To beautifully conclude the meal, the trattoria offers a selection of homemade desserts.
During my last visit, I tried a Caramel Panna Cotta and a Cheesecake with Pears Poached in Wine (available as a daily special). Both desserts were artisanally made and excellent, though not quite as extraordinary as the standout main courses.
Warm and Professional Service
One of the most appreciated aspects of Trattoria Cibrèo is undoubtedly the service. The staff, friendly and always smiling, manages to create an atmosphere that is both informal and professional.
Human warmth is a key component of the trattoria's hospitality. Every guest is treated with care and respect, in a warm and friendly manner, without ever being intrusive.
Additional Notes
The trattoria, also known as Il Cibrèino, should not be confused with its “older sibling,” the much more expensive and refined Cibrèo Restaurant.
For international tourists: the waitstaff speaks impeccable English.
A minor flaw (barely worth mentioning): the choice of background music feels somewhat out of place. As a fan of '70s rock music, I found it a bit dissonant to enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine in a typical Florentine trattoria while Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd and Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones played in the background.
The menu changes periodically: in this post, I’ve commented on the dishes I had the chance to enjoy at Il Cibrèino, which may differ from those available during your visit.
The price is reasonable but not low—Cibrèo is indeed a trattoria, but with a refined touch. That said, the quality-to-price ratio is excellent, and the cost is fully justified by the outstanding quality of every dish.
Where to Eat in Florence: Trattoria Cibrèo
Visiting Trattoria Cibrèo means immersing yourself in an authentic gastronomic experience, where every detail is crafted with passion. The quality of the ingredients, the mastery in dish preparation, and the warm hospitality of the staff make this place a must-visit for anyone in Florence.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a tourist in search of local flavors or a Florentine looking for genuine cuisine—Trattoria Cibrèo will win you over with its refined simplicity and authenticity. A journey through Tuscan flavors that will leave an indelible mark on both your heart and palate.
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