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Fine Dining · Tuscan Italian

Buca Mario Menu 2026: Florence's Oldest Restaurant — Full Dishes & Prices

Buca Mario has been welcoming diners into its vaulted Florentine cellars since 1886, making it the oldest restaurant in Florence. Tucked beneath a 16th-century palazzo steps from Piazza Santa Maria Novella, the restaurant serves rigorously traditional Tuscan cooking — house-made pasta, slow-braised meats, and the legendary bistecca alla Fiorentina — alongside an extensive wine list anchored in Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino.

Founded 1886Florence's oldest restaurantBistecca alla FiorentinaHomemade pasta & desserts
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$$

Signature items

Bistecca alla Fiorentina (for 2)€130
Bistecca alla Fiorentina (for 3)€195
Fresh spinach & ricotta cappellacciprice on request
Nonna Isabella's lasagnaprice on request
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Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Most iconic dish
Bistecca alla Fiorentina (for 2) €130
Must-try pasta
Pappardelle with wild boar ragù price on request
Best for vegetarians
Fresh artichoke risotto price on request
Signature dessert
Tiramisu from the dessert trolley price on request
Full menu with prices

Buca Mario full menu and current prices

Buca Mario is a single-location fine-dining restaurant in Florence, Italy. Most menu prices are not published online; only the bistecca prices are confirmed on the official website. All other prices are omitted. Call +39 055 214179 or visit bucamario.com for current pricing.
Antipasti (Starters)14 itemsPrimi Piatti (Fresh Homemade Pasta & First Courses)15 itemsSecondi di Carne (Meat Main Courses)11 itemsSecondi di Pesce (Fish Main Courses)5 itemsContorni (Side Dishes)10 itemsDolci (Desserts)6 items
Price comparison

How Buca Mario compares to other Florentine and Italian fine-dining restaurants

Buca Mario occupies the mid-to-upper tier of Florentine dining. The bistecca is priced comparably to other specialist Fiorentina restaurants, while the pasta courses are typical for a historic city-centre trattoria.

CategoryBuca MarioBuca dell'Orafo (Florence)Osteria dell'Enoteca (Florence)
Bistecca alla Fiorentina (for 2)€130~€120–140~€140–160
Fresh pasta first coursenot published~€16–22~€22–28
Meat second coursenot published~€22–30~€28–40
Cover charge (coperto)€10 pp€3–5 pp€5 pp
About

About Buca Mario

Buca Mario opened its doors in 1886, making it the oldest restaurant in Florence and one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Italy. The restaurant takes its name from its original owner and its setting — a buca, the Florentine term for a cellar eatery dug beneath a palazzo. The current address at Piazza degli Ottaviani 16/R places it steps from Piazza Santa Maria Novella, inside the vaulted brick cellars of a 16th-century Florentine palace.

Over more than 130 years, Buca Mario has remained committed to the Tuscan culinary canon: ribollita and pappa al pomodoro made from stale bread and slow cooking; house-rolled pasta from spinach and ricotta cappellacci to pappardelle with wild boar; and above all the bistecca alla Fiorentina — the T-bone steak from Chianina cattle, grilled over wood charcoal and served rare, the only acceptable preparation in Florentine tradition. Desserts are still brought to the table on a trolley, strictly homemade. Guests who book the private Privé Buca Mario salon dine in an intimate 16th-century setting within the palazzo's inner cellars.

The restaurant's longevity is attributed to its refusal to modernise its core recipes while maintaining warm, attentive service. A complimentary house digestif and a personalised apron souvenir are among the small traditions that have earned Buca Mario repeat visitors from around the world. Advance reservations — often two or more weeks ahead during peak season — are strongly recommended, and a €80 cancellation fee applies.

1886year founded
1location (Florence, Italy)
$$$price range

Ready to visit Buca Mario?

Reservations are essential — the restaurant recommends booking at least two weeks in advance during peak season. Confirm current prices and availability on the official website.

Reserve a table at Buca Mario
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where is Buca Mario located?

Buca Mario is located at Piazza degli Ottaviani 16/R, 50123 Florence (Firenze), Italy — steps from Piazza Santa Maria Novella in the city centre. The restaurant occupies the vaulted cellars of a 16th-century Florentine palazzo.

When was Buca Mario founded?

Buca Mario was founded in 1886, making it the oldest restaurant in Florence and one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Italy. The name 'buca' refers to the Florentine tradition of cellar dining.

Do I need a reservation at Buca Mario?

Yes — reservations are strongly recommended. During peak tourist season (spring and summer), the restaurant advises booking at least two weeks in advance. Online reservations are available through the booking platform at bucamario.plateform.app. Note that a €80 cancellation fee applies if you cancel after booking.

What are Buca Mario's opening hours?

Buca Mario is open for dinner Monday through Saturday, with the kitchen opening at 7:00 PM. Two dinner seatings are typically offered: 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM. The restaurant is closed on Sundays. Always confirm current hours on the official website before visiting.

How much does the bistecca alla Fiorentina cost at Buca Mario?

The bistecca alla Fiorentina is priced at €130 for two people and €195 for three people (as listed on the official website). A portion for one is also available but its price is not published online. The steak is served rare only — this is non-negotiable as per Florentine tradition.

Is there a cover charge at Buca Mario?

Yes. A coperto (cover charge) of approximately €10 per person is applied, which is standard for Florentine restaurants of this calibre. This covers bread, table service, and the house digestif offered at the end of the meal.

What type of food does Buca Mario serve?

Buca Mario specialises in authentic Tuscan cuisine. The menu features antipasti including cured meats and carpaccio, fresh homemade pasta such as pappardelle with wild boar ragù and spinach-ricotta cappellacci, meat and fish main courses, seasonal side dishes, and desserts served from a trolley. The menu changes with the seasons and emphasises local Florentine ingredients.

Does Buca Mario have vegetarian options?

Yes. The menu includes a number of vegetarian dishes: the artichoke and zucchini salads, caprese, cheese boards, artichoke risotto, several pasta options (cappellacci with butter and sage or Gorgonzola, tomato spaghetti), and most of the side dishes and desserts. The restaurant does not have a dedicated vegetarian menu but staff are helpful with dietary needs.

What wines does Buca Mario offer?

Buca Mario maintains an extensive wine list focused on Tuscan wines. It includes a wide selection of Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva from top estates (Antinori, Felsina, Verrazzano, Fonterutoli), Brunello di Montalcino from producers such as Altesino, Castello di Banfi, and Pian delle Vigne, and prestigious Super Tuscans including Sassicaia, Solaia, Tignanello, and Masseto. House wines by the half-bottle and bottle are also available.