I Fratellini Restaurant. The history of Florence told through the flavours of Tuscan tradition.

The restaurant, led by Lorenzo Dei, celebrates tradition and passion for Tuscan cuisine

Trattoria I Fratellini was founded in 1958, the fruit of the vision of Guido Bigazzi and his brothers, who began with a small grocery shop specialising in cold cuts and pizzicheria. Over the years, that modest shop has turned into one of Florence's best-loved gastronomic venues, without ever losing the link with its roots.

As soon as you cross the threshold, you immediately feel the warmth of a decades-long history. The atmosphere of the restaurant evokes Tuscany in every detail: the dark, lived-in wood, the elegant marble, and the Florentine wrought iron that decorates the ambience with understated refinement. The beating heart of the restaurant is the ancient wood-burning fireplace with rotisserie, one of the few still in operation. It is not fuelled by simple charcoal, but by a careful selection of four different varieties of wood, each of which contributes to giving the meat that smoky flavour, dense with history and tradition.

Heading the restaurant today is Lorenzo Dei, Florentine by birth and the son of a family with deep ties to the city. His love for Florence and its history was passed on to him by his family, in particular by his father, a true legend of historic Florentine football. However, as Dei says, ‘to discover one's passions and one's path, one must learn to look around’. With this philosophy, he left Florence for Milan, where he enriched his cuisine with international influences, expanding his culinary vision.

In 2016, he returned to his roots, determined to bring with him not only his 15 years of experience in the restaurant business, but a mission: to teach his customers the importance of food, not only as nourishment, but as an expression of culture and tradition. Thanks to his dedication, the passionate work of the staff and the use of carefully selected ingredients, a dinner at I Fratellini is an experience that leaves its mark.

During the pandemic, Trattoria I Fratellini undertook a solidarity project, turning a moment of isolation into an opportunity to recreate human connections through food, which has always been a symbol of unity. ‘At the height of the restrictions, when human relationships were put to the test, we worked to keep connections alive. Thanks to our old food licence, we were able to distribute food in the neighbourhood, focusing especially on those who, for health or personal reasons, could not leave their homes. With the support of the other shops in the San Ambrogio neighbourhood and social services, we created a real distribution centre, managing to provide over 1,200 free meals. All this was possible thanks to the collaboration with Canto alla Mela, the natural shopping centre in the neighbourhood, of which I am president,' Dei said.

Tradition, passion, homely warmth, taste and quality: these are the elements that characterise Trattoria I Fratellini, a place where caring for food becomes a loving gesture, even in the most difficult moments.

Trattoria I Fratellini
Via Ghibellina, 27 (Firenze)
ph. +39 055 2001371
trattoriaifratellini.com