Looking to spend a day in Florence? If you are more interested in craft beer than the statue of David, we’ve got you covered. Whether you have a layover or are just taking a day trip, this is our breakdown of where we visited and what we spent.
Joshua Tree Pub
Just a couple of blocks from the Firenze SMN train station is Joshua Tree Pub which conveniently opens at 11 am. Trying to kick a little hangover from the night before, I went with a nice, easy drinking 9% abv craft brew on draft. My wife, not really feeling beer on this round, went with an Aperol spritz. We were having fun there talking to the bartender and just enjoying the atmosphere so we opted for a second round. I stuck with another beer and she ended up with an old fashioned at the suggestion of our new bartender friend.
Just a side note: on the front door to Joshua Tree you will find a sticker from my favorite podcast – We Like Drinking. If you are looking for something to make your travel days more enjoyable be sure to check them out.
Total cost : €24
San Lorenzo Market
After being well-primed from our first stop it was time to get some food in our bellies so we set off towards San Lorenzo Market for some of the best pasta we have had in our entire time in Italy lives. We zigzagged through the maze of stalls until we spotted the line that let us know this was the place to be – Pasta Fresca. The board out front lists the type of the freshly made pasta and the sauce you wish to go with it. This was not an easy choice but we ended up going with the tagliatelle with ragu di cinghiale. €5
A little more wandering around and it was time for my second treat. I ordered a very popular lunch item in Florence, a tender tripe sandwich with tomato for €4.
Total cost : €9
Walk on the Arno River
Feeling the need to burn off some of our lunch and get some culture in our lives, we walked along the Arno River taking in the sights until we reached Ponte Vecchio. This bridge is now the Jewelry District of Florence. This is a good opportunity to do some window shopping and slow down your alcohol consumption spending.
Total cost : Free
Beer Spot
After we experienced a tourist attraction and feeling like a herd of cattle going to slaughter, it was time for happy hour. We chose to go to Beer Stop, a funky rock and roll bar with a decent beer selection. This beer hall has a good craft beer can selection, a handful of drafts, and a happy hour that will save you a few euros. Happy hour starts at 5pm when they open and includes a discount on house wine, spritzes, and pilsners. We ordered an Aperol Spritz and a pint of beer.
Total cost : €10
La Panetteria
A few hours later, the pasta had worn off and it was snack time. We stumbled upon a little bakery called La Panetteria on the way to our next drink spot. Many of their snacks looked appealing but we settled on a caprese pizza square. This little square of taste explosion only set us back €2.92 (€1.35/kg). Best of all, it was even big enough for us to share.
Total cost : €2.92
Diorama
Definitely a place for local beer geeks. This shop had some interesting options on draft and two large fridges filled with bottles from around the world. There is a friendly and knowledgeable staff so if you want to talk beer, this is the place for you. We went with an interesting negroni-inspired draft and a tasty IPA.
Total cost : €11
The Hidden Pub
The Hidden Pub was the last beer stop of the day with a large outdoor patio in the back. This no frills bar is a good spot to grab a cold pint, watch a football match, and meet up with some friends. You won’t find many tourists passing through this hidden gem, which is a big part of why we loved it so much.
Total cost : €10
Rando Bakery
We stopped for one more tasty little treat and Megan’s first cannoli before heading back to the train station. For only €1.90 this was the perfect way to end our day in Florence.
Total cost : €1.90
Final Cost of the day : €68.82
For under 70 euros we were able to enjoy a full day out, eating and drinking our way around Florence. If you take advantage of happy hour and get a little bit off the beaten path, you too can have a day in Florence without breaking the bank. Are there any other places you can add to this list that are budget friendly without sacrificing any flavor? Let us know in the comments!
Cheers friends,
Matt & Megan
Comments
The beers (biers) sound ok. I guess I must have very inadequate taste buds.Can’t get excited about any of your food choices. Glad you did not inherit those genes.
Looks like you are still having the time of your lives. Got your postcard at our new address. Thank you😊
What an outstanding day! We won’t even talk about how much we spent on any given day in Italy when we went. Where was your blog when we were there?!?!