Ristorante Buca Mario image

Ristorante Buca Mario

Restaurant Cafe Bar Italian restaurant Steak house

Housemade pasta, Florentine steaks & wild boar ragù served in a vaulted 16th-century dining room. People often mention great, steak, restaurant, good, Florence, meal, wine, amazing, experience, reservation,


Address

Piazza degli Ottaviani, 16r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

Website

linktr.ee

Contact

+39 055 214179

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (1.9K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 7 pm to 12 am
  • Saturday: 7 pm to 12 am
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 7 pm to 12 am
  • Tuesday: 7 pm to 12 am
  • Wednesday: 7 pm to 12 am
  • Thursday: 7 pm to 12 am

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: great (15) steak (14) restaurant (13) good (12) Florence (12) meal (10) wine (10) amazing (9) experience (9) reservation (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Tony R. 1 year ago on Google
    Every base covered for a Firenze meal at a price. Food great, service amazing, extremely friendly, English speaking waiters who are funny and enthusiastic. Well worth the visit for quickly ticking the Italian food experience. Very American friendly. A few top tips. Portions are large so share them, and the restaurant encourages this to happen. An appetiser each, split a pasta, and then think about the steak. We had a half and half pasta option as we couldn't decide, charges full price for one and reduced price for the other. If you're both hungry then a double steak will fill you up. If one of you eats only a little, share a single steak. Sides are large so asparagus and mash between you is fine. Puddings from a cart, again share one. Wine list is good and steady, not a huge difference between the middle and top priced wines except the expensive ones are decanted. We left absolutely full, very happy, and the waiter was too. There are better pastas and steaks in Firenze but this is a classic for a reason and if you don't want to hunt out the latest top choice then visit here.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Armita Z. 8 months ago on Google • 533 reviews
    One of the most amazing restaurants in Florence. The restaurant is only open a few hours a day and a reservation is a must. We still had to wait a bit even with a reservation. Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted by every single servers. My absolute favorite was the fresh berries and mint in the glasses of our champagne. The appetizer and meal were all amazing. I didn’t try the famous Florentine T-bone because it was too raw for me, but everyone on our table that tried it loved it.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Alexander S. 2 months ago on Google • 17 reviews New
    Honestly, this place was a letdown. I hate to say it, but it felt like the high end McDonald’s of Florence. The food was a major miss, with huge portions with no flavor - the restaurant seems to cater mostly to Americans. The bread was stale, and the artichoke salad was just bland, drowning in Parmesan. My wine glass arrived dirty, and they poured the wine without showing the bottle. So, no clue if I got what I paid for. The server also seemed to be in a rush and would add parmesan to our dishes without even asking if we wanted! He just assumed and served everything his way! Also, no wifi or cell service, which might not be a big deal for some, but it was inconvenient. The service was pretty slow too, probably because they were juggling 30+ tables. The gnocchi was flavorless, and while the meat sauce was okay, it wasn’t anything to write home about. Definitely the worst meal I’ve had in Italy, and I’ve been here for over two weeks. To top it off, it felt like a tourist trap. It’s the only place in Italy that’s explicitly asked us for a tip, and we’ve been to over 25 restaurants!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Stephanie M. 1 year ago on Google
    Came here with my husband specifically for the Florentine steak and we were not disappointed! Everything was excellent! Waiter was super nice with a great personality and sense of humor. He also made a fabulous wine recommendation. I had asked about one wine and he recommended a different one instead and if was phenomenal! So glad we went with the recommendation. A must try!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ivano M. 5 months ago on Google • 188 reviews
    Incredible experience. I did not make a reservation but at a very busy time, the staff was welcoming and made me sit rightaway. Service was excellent and food abundant and priced right. Don’t forget to try some red wine Chianti when ordering meat dishes. I will come back
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ines A. 1 year ago on Google
    Had to make reservations. Atmosphere was good but a bit crowded. Food was good as well but definitely overpriced for quality. Italian cheese platter was nice. Bread is bad. Truffle ravioli was very good and Wild Boar sauce pasta was worth a try. Not exactly the best tomato basil pasta I’ve had. The steak is very rare if you do decide to get it. Tiramisu was good and comes with strawberries. For ladies, they give out a tote bag with the restaurant’s name on it at the end. Overall, it was a decent experience but definitely can find a better experience for less elsewhere.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vladimir A. 5 months ago on Google • 82 reviews
    Went here a few years ago and still think about it!! One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to with outstanding waiters, great wine, and delicious food! Might come back to Florence just to go here again. The setting is gorgeous. Florentine steak is elite. And the gnocchi was the softest thing I’ve ever eaten. A must!! Don’t forget the limoncello to finish off your meal!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Wayne Y. 4 months ago on Google • 47 reviews
    Had our hotel to make a reservation for us, great experience with extremely friendly/ personable servers! We had florentine steak and pasta with butter/ truffle Pleasant experience overall, definitely worth a try!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jenn 5 months ago on Google • 40 reviews
    A good friend recommended this restaurant and oh was he so right! We had the best pasta and bistecca ever.. the place is so nice, the staff is amazing. Franco was so welcoming, informative and so friendly. All the dishes he suggested were by far the best! If I could give this place a 10 stars I would! Grazie Ristorante Buca Mario for my apron. You will be in ♥️♥️ forever.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Victoria F. 1 year ago on Google
    Best restaurant we went to in Florence! The experience alone was amazing. The food was exceptional as well. We got the t-bone, gnochetti with Gorgonzola and truffle mashed potatoes. House wine was very inexpensive and delicious. Aldo was AMAZING. He was so personable and happy. He made the whole thing that much better. Would highly recommend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 joanne w. 5 months ago on Google • 5 reviews
    A must in Florence! Wow. From the food to the service I can’t recommend this place enough. My friend and I started our birthday’s trip in Florence and this was our first dinner and I cannot say enough good things. From the start when we walked in (after making a reservation because it’s very popular) we were greeted by the owner and the whole entire family. We were absolutely not expecting such a welcoming but made us so excited for what was to come…and let me tell you it did not disappoint. First we asked for a recommendation for wine and got an amazing Chianti reserve for such a great price. Let’s just say that all of the food was amazing, you really can’t go wrong with what you order. To start we got a bruschetta with artichokes, Gorgonzola and prosciutto and the beef carpaccio with truffles and I will dream of this dish for years to come. The layer of truffle you get is…chef kiss. Next we got pastas. Grandmas famous lasagna and the Wild Boar. Out of the world. Both of them. I want to try all of their pastas. For dessert we had the tiramisu and it was probably the best we’ve ever had. The entire meal not only was the waitstaff checking in on us, but the whole family! I’ve never felt so welcome and satisfied in a new city and restaurant before. Before we left we were given some limoncello which will immediately give you a buzz if you’re not already! And to top it off they gave us aprons on our way our and even recommendations to a great cocktail bar around the corner for after. If you’re in Florence, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not going here!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hilda Y. 1 year ago on Google
    Made a booking before we even arrived in Italy, based on a recommendation from a friend back in Melbourne. We had to line up outside even with a reservation. The whole dining experience exceeded our expectations. Yes it was pricey but we knew that going in. But the portions were generous and all the food was absolutely delicious. Service was also fantastic. The ladies got a free tote bag gift on the way out. Days later we are still thinking about this meal! Would definitely return if we are ever back in Florence!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeffrey C. 1 year ago on Google
    Great experience overall! Tuscan steak was delicious, they had the option to cut it at the table side. Also the Cappellecci Ragu was one of the best bites I've had in Italy! Waiters have a great attention to detail and great menu recommendations.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Melita L. 2 years ago on Google
    We visited Buca Maria on the day of our arrival in Florence and it was the perfect restaurant to start our Italian adventure and a great introduction to Italian food. Staff are very friendly and welcomed us with smiles. We enjoyed our dinner and reasonably priced too.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mark C. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely restaurant, incredible food. The staff were lovely and the food was unbelievable. The price is slightly higher than other local restaurants however it is well worth the small amount more. The steak was much bigger than expected and was fantasticly presented. The food shown is the seafood pasta, and the T Bone steak for one. Both were incredible and I would highly recommend them both. The house wine was very nice and reasonably priced, there was a very good selection of wines otherwise.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 pan e. 6 months ago on Google • 89 reviews
    Really love the vibe in this restaurant, we had a Caprese di Mozzarella di Bufala con Pomodori for appetizer, the cheese (mozzarella) was outstanding mixed with fresh tomatoes(pomodori), the cheese was really smooth and soft. For the first meal, we had a Cappellacci Freschi Fatti in Casa di Ricotta e Spinaci con Tartufo Fresco, this dish might be our favorite. The melted cheese along with the fragrant tartufo was tasty as always. Another meal we had was the Pappardelle Fresche al Ragù di Cinghiale* Nostrale delle Colline Fiorentine. We’ve always wanted to try the traditional Italy pappardelle, after trying it, we knew immediately that the biggest difference is the freshness of the noodle, a noodle made on the day is always fresh as always! It’s really hard to find a noodle like this in Asia areas. The third meal we had was the Florence classic T-bone steak, which is made as rare of course. It is very tasty, I personally prepare eating it with salt, ha! For dessert we had a classic tiramisu and a Putin pie with apricot, both was fabulous and gives the meal a great ending.

  • 5/5 Enrico Di G. 3 months ago on Google • 25 reviews New
    Good choice, well done "Mario"! Filetto and everythingelse were amazing. Fillet was double in size compared to what I had elsewhere, so I believe is a nonsense to complain on the price list. Service was excellent too. Strongly reccomended! Also an historic heritage, not to miss while in Florence.

  • 5/5 Michael B. 3 months ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    Phenomenal! The staff is so welcoming and energetic and makes you feel right at home. Everything from their bread, olive oil and entrees are fantastic. We opted for the traditional Tuscan meat sauce with wild boar which was seriously delicious. Moving on we did their ossobuco and it was totally show-stopping. The meat was incredibly tender with an amazing braised sauce. Last we had to do their Florentine steak. Let me tell you - that was the single best steak I’ve ever had in my life. They do such a good job of highlighting the quality of the meat with a perfect cook and seasonings of only salt. Absolutely delicious all around. If you have the opportunity you HAVE to go!

  • 4/5 Phil C. 1 year ago on Google
    Extremely busy restaurant with queues around the door. Booking definitely required. Food was good if not a little expensive compared to other places that offer similar quality in all honesty. Staff were very well trained and efficient at dealing with volume.

  • 4/5 Susan K. 1 year ago on Google
    Really great service at all levels. The owner and his wife greeted us upon arrival, walked us to our table and it felt very welcoming. Food was great as well. You can tell they care about their customers. Very packed -- make sure you make a reservation! Also got a reusable tote bag as a gift at the end.

  • 4/5 Andrew C. 1 year ago on Google
    I visited Buca Mario based on a recommendation from a friend who's eaten here several times. Highly recommend you get a reservation at it always seems busy and had a lineup even for those with a reservation. My waiter named Aldo did a great job recommending things to eat and was nice to talk to. I had the half portion of the ravioli stuff with ricotta and spinach in a butter sage sauce which was delicious. I then ordered the bistecca alla Florentine for 1 (50 euros) and it was massive. I believe it was around 800-1000g and was a lot to eat for one person. The steak was good (7/10) but not great. However, the ravioli was excellent and so was the service.

  • 5/5 Giannis K. 3 months ago on Google New
    Five stars are not enough for this restaurant. The service is very high and the food is just perfect. Typically Florence cuisine, perfect for someone that wants to try local plates. Everything on time, served perfectly. People working there just love their job. Maybe the best lemoncello I 've tasted in my whole life.

  • 5/5 Alex J. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely Tuscan food with really good service! The food is super tasty, you’ll have properly trained but very friendly front of house, the owners will come to say hello and you’ll even get a small souvenir like an apron at the end of your dinner. The wine list is also great - from smaller vineyards to world renowned supertuscans. Also, you get to choose your dessert from a dessert cart! As they say, make sure you book in advance so avoid disappointment!


Call +39 055 214179 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery

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