The Florentine Steak Experience ™ Florence Show Cooking
In this first-of-its-kind experience in Florence you will learn cook up your very own Bistecca alla Fiorentina – in one of the finest traditional trattorias here in the city of the beef-steak. We have teamed up with the best experts to give you a cooking demonstration in Tuscan cuisine including a 3 course meal to be enjoyed alongside your sumptuous steak. You will be warmly welcomed at the restaurant with a glass of local wine, before learning to cook your very own steak!
The New Florentine Steak Experience ™
In this first-of-its-kind cooking demonstration-show cooking in Florence you will learn how to cook up your very own Florentine Steak – Bistecca alla Fiorentina! Here, in one of the finest traditional trattorias in Florence – the city of the beef-steak.
Learn How to Cook & How to Eat the Bistecca Fiorentina
We have teamed up with the best experts to give you an easy cooking demonstration on Florentine Steak Tuscan cuisine.
Discover the Wine & Sides for the Florentine Steak
You will be warmly welcomed at the restaurant with a glass of local wine, before learning to cook your very own steak!
Enjoy the Bistecca Fiorentina in a Traditional Tuscan Trattoria
We’ve chosen one of the best local trattorias in Florence that uses the best quality certified Chianina, Tuscan steak or Italian meat. You’ll enjoy your meal in a warm authentic setting. Our wonderful little local trattoria (traditional Florentine restaurant) is located in the very heart of Florence’s historical centre and close to everything.
Live the Experience & Take Home the Know-How
You’ll go home with tips and hints on what you need to order at the butcher and what ingredients and cooking techniques will make for a truly delicious mouth-watering steak at home. You’ll also learn about how high quality ingredients and seasonal produce is a cornerstone of Italian cuisine. We’ll have good Chianti wine from the region to taste and enjoy.This is an immersive experience and can be as hands on as you want it to be. You will leave knowing all about how to cook the best steak of your life.
What you Get with your Florentine Steak Experience:
- A cooking lesson demonstration learning how to cook the Florentine Steak
- Starter of classic Tuscan anti-pasti ‘Fettunta’: toasted Tuscan bread with olive oil drizzled on top
- Secondo or main course: the steak you’ve helped to cook! A good Florentine Steak is usually around 1-1.2 kilos – that’s over 2.5 pounds! Because the steak is so big, traditionally they are served in the center of the table to be shared and you serve yourselves. Don’t worry, there will be plenty! See our blog on how Florentine Steak is traditionally enjoyed.
- A choice of Tuscan side dishes: roasted potatoes, greens, salad and traditional Tuscan white beans
- Dessert: we have a delicious Tuscan dessert of “Cantucci'”: local handmade biscuits that you dip in Vin Santo – “holy wine” to enjoy-divine!
- The wine to accompany is a good honest local Chianti wine with a story to tell.
- Water, of course!
What is a Florentine steak? (Bistecca alla Fiorentina)
The Florentine Steak is a T-bone or Porterhouse steak cut from the ancient Chianina breed of cow, reared in the Tuscan countryside. The best restaurants have certification that they are using the real meat of these cows.
Bistecca Fiorentina – or Bistecca alla Fiorentina – first became known in Florence during the Renaissance period. Now it is a legend in its own right. It’s typically served rare and, due to its size, served in the middle of the table shared between 2 or more people. The Florentines eat their steak, not with fries, but cannellini beans, unsalted Tuscan bread and roast potatoes. It’s delicious and one of the great iconic gourmet experiences every one visiting Florence should enjoy.
Whilst many food and wine products are exported around the world, the Bistecca alla Fiorentina has to be enjoyed here in Florence. Made from the white Chianina cow, one of the oldest cattle breeds in the world, this steak has been eaten here for centuries.
Tuscany is the Best Place to Taste the Best Steak
Attempts have been made to export the Chianina cow. But the steak has never been as good as it is here where the breed has roamed for thousands of years. The cattle are kept in open fields around Tuscany.
What is the best way to cook a Florentine Steak?
Cooking the Florentine steak is a true art. Cut with one sharp chop, this T-bone loin steak is served in 28-42 oz (800-1200g) servings, and usually very thick! The grill temperature is measured to 550 °F before the room-temperature steak is placed on the searing heat, about 5 minutes on each side, sealing in the flavor. A good rest is crucial before eating.
How to Enjoy a Florentine Steak?
The original Florentine steak, ordered as a main meal, is usually shared between 2 or 3 people. Don’t worry, it’s huge and we can assure you there will always be enough to enjoy! Served on a wooden chopping board, with salt, pepper, drizzled with extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil, and a wedge of lemon for those who wish to squeeze some fresh juice onto the steak. See our blog for more information on how to enjoy a Florentine Steak.
How Rare should a Florentine Steak Be?
Slicing the tender steak, you will see the steak is cooked well on the outside, but almost rare in the middle. Florentines take their steak pretty seriously, so if you’re used to a well-done steak you might want to try it their way before asking them to put it back on the grill!
Read everything you need to know and more about Florentine Steak on our blog
Our Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
It is at the core of our restaurant partner’s policy to be respectful of the environment and work actively to reduce their impact. The grills used are electric and the restaurants are completely powered by certified renewable sources of electricity.
- A unique Florence food experience combining a live cooking demonstration with a traditional Tuscan meal.
- Learn the secrets of the famous Florentine Steak — from choosing the right cut of meat to mastering the high-heat grilling technique.
- Discover authentic Tuscan food culture and how locals traditionally cook, serve and share the legendary Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
- Enjoy a warm welcome with local wine in a cozy traditional trattoria in the heart of Florence’s historic centre.
- Taste high-quality certified Chianina beef, one of Italy’s most prized and historic cattle breeds.
- Experience the joy of sharing a true Florentine meal, served family-style with classic Tuscan sides and local Chianti wine.
- Take home practical tips and techniques so you can recreate an authentic Florentine steak experience in your own kitchen.
The story of the Bistecca alla Fiorentina goes back centuries and is deeply rooted in the culinary traditions of Florence. One popular legend dates its name to the Renaissance celebrations of San Lorenzo in the 16th century, when large cuts of grilled beef were distributed to the crowds during festivities. English visitors reportedly called the dish “beef steak,” a name that Florentines gradually transformed into “bistecca.”
Traditionally the steak is cut from the prized Chianina breed of cattle, one of the oldest in the world, raised in the Tuscan countryside for thousands of years. The meat is cut thick, grilled over extremely high heat, and served rare — a cooking method designed to highlight the exceptional quality and natural flavor of the beef.
Over time the Florentine steak became one of Tuscany’s most iconic dishes and an essential culinary experience for anyone visiting the city. Simple, generous, and rooted in tradition, the Bistecca alla Fiorentina remains a symbol of Tuscan hospitality: great ingredients, cooked simply, and shared around the table with good wine and good company.
This is a 2 hours experience.
What is a Florentine Steak?
A Florentine Steak is an Italian T-bone/Porterhouse appearing cut of beef, traditionally grilled on a wood fire. It should always be of the Chianina cow breed, be above 1.5 inch high (optimally 2.5 inch) and cooked rare.
Do you have to eat a Florentine steak rare? / Can you ask for a well done Bistecca Fiorentina?
As all Italians will tell you, the Florentine Steak should be eaten “rare”, and at most authentic restaurants choosing how the steak is done is not even an option. At more “tourist-oriented” restaurants, however, it might be possible to ask for a medium or well done steak. In our experience, we will show you how the steak is traditionally cooked, suggest you at least try it, and if you request can put it back on the grill.
What cut is a Florentine Steak?
The Bistecca alla Fiorentina is a thick Porterhouse steak (Meaning it includes both the sirloin and the tenderloin) that should be at least 1.5 inch high, but optimally around 2.5 inch
How do you season a Florentine Steak?
A good authentic Florentine steak should be flavored simply with salt and the grilling process. This lets you experience the special quality Italian beef better. There are some recipes adding rosemary or even (in the 1890 article by Pellegrino Artusi) butter however.
How thick should a Florentine Steak be?
The Tuscan people don’t measure the thickness of their steak in inches, but in fingers.! The best thickness is said to be around 3, 4 fingers thick, coming through at around 2.5 inches and sometimes even a bit thicker!
Are there other menu options available for this experience?
There is a Vegetarian Option Menu and a Children’s Option Menu for children under 12 to enjoy. We don't recommend this experience for vegans, of course.
