As we plunge into zona rossa for the days running up to Pasqua (Easter) and Pasquetta (Easter Monday), there’s one thing to keep those living in Florence sane and happy: a delicious array of Easter goodies. Thankfully, as with any religious festival, Florence does not disappoint when it comes to food and drink. There are gaudily wrapped chocolate eggs, ready-to-roast stuffed lamb, asparagus tarts and freshly baked colomba cakes, the Easter equivalent to panettone. Finally, for anyone pining after a hot cross bun, we’re pleased to announce they really do exist in this city.
Eat, sleep + repeat
If you’ve seen people eating at the tables at Caffè dell’Oro near the Ponte Vecchio and wondered how that’s possible during the current restrictions, the answer is to indulge in a staycation with Lungarno Collection. The hotel is succeeding in promoting in-city breaks to local residents who understandably fancy feeling like they’re on holiday for a night or two, along with the joy of going out for dinner. The four-course Easter menu features ultra-seasonal dishes such as lasagna with asparagus and salmon, and braised leg of lamb with artichokes and marjoram. This menu is also available for delivery and takeaway too (60 euro per person): top marks for their fully biodegradable boxes.
Lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, 2p
+39 05527268912 / WhatsApp +39 347 5580352
Curries + pavlovas
Australian chef Anna Bowcock has pivoted her catering business East Catering Florence
to deliver weekly takeaway menus from her Sant’Ambrogio kitchen. She specializes in Asian cuisine, with modern Thai dishes made from scratch. On the menu for Easter, expect to see slow-cooked lamb and potato curry and, for something sweet, light and fluffy pavlovas. On Easter Sunday, a pop-up at B.east Gallery will sell slowly cooked lamb, cabbage, mint slaw and smoked paprika mayo, served with Wild Buns savoury buns.
IG @eastcateringflorence / www.eastcateringflorence.com
B.east Gallery, Via di Mezzo 36R
+39 333 7109666 / +39 329 8756349
Lamb + a bottle of Bolgheri
Osteria dell’Enoteca, in via Romana, has been making weekly themed delivery dinners in recent months and their three-course Easter menu is a treat. For 25 euro per person, you’ll get artisanal Tuscan pasta with lamb ragù, lamb stew with peas and a traditional Easter dessert. Wine pairing with a very nice bottle of Bolgheri is also available. All the dishes come ready prepared with easy-to-follow instructions for final touches at home. The menu is available for pick up or delivery on Saturday, April 3, and must be ordered by Thursday evening.
ordini@osteriadellenoteca.com / WhatsApp +39 366 4526210
Traditional Tuscan
This will be the second Easter that historic Florentine trattoria Da Burde has converted to “Burdelivery”. The Easter menu by Paolo Gori will be delivered all around Florence and Prato on Saturday, April 3 and includes an Easter tart with capocollo salami, crespelle alla Fiorentina pancakes, herb-crusted lamb and a fruit charlotte dessert. The menu includes a bottle of Montecucco and costs 85 euro for two people.
www.vinodaburde.com / info@daburde.it
Via Pistoiese 154 (6r) / +39 055 317206
Cuts from the countryside
From the Tuscan hills, this family-run business in Greve in Chianti provide quality organic meat and produce. The ready-to-cook options include stuffed leg of lamb, lamb skewers (perfect for anyone with a terrace who’s decided to do Easter Sunday al fresco!) and various lamb chops. Also stock up on cheeses and their famous peperoni mostarda while you’re at it. Casa Ceccatelli are offering free home delivery in Florence especially for Easter, with deliveries available Monday to Saturday from 2 to 7pm.
Order from www.casaceccatelli.com/macelleria or call directly +39 393 9030663
Stellar Easter
Michelin-star restaurant Ora d’Aria is cooking up a creative storm with the Pasqua Con Noi (Easter with Us) menu (80 euro per person) from the spin-off delivery service OradAriaLAB, but the menu needs to be ordered on Monday, March 29 in time for Easter Sunday. Dishes include truffle tortellini, green wild boar lasagne and lamb with artichokes.
Order online https://oradarialab.jimdosite.com or email info@oradariaristorante.com
Lunching in your own lounge
The popular Florentine lunch spot Rivarno is rustling up a three-course Easter lunch for takeaway and delivery, with a generous antipasti mix of tarts and spring quiches, a main of rabbit or salmon en pistachio croute, sides of potatoes and peas, and a tropical fruit tart for dessert. It’s 30 euro a head, and they’ll throw in a bottle of wine if you’re ordering for two.
Lungarno delle Grazie, 12R / To order, call +39 055 245535
Stay at home menu
Ristorante Accademia is fashioning a simplified menu of traditional Easter treats including a pear, pecorino and honey salad (12 euro), Easter lasagne for two (24 euro) and roasted lamb for two (30 euro), plus cheesecake, carrot and other sweet delights.
Order by WhatsApp to +39 335 5618116 by 10pm on April 2 for delivery on April 4
Baked treats
The hugely popular Scandi-style pastries from Robert Marrandi of Wild Buns are a favourite among internationals in Florence. For Easter weekend, opt for a rich Easter chocolate cake and giant cinnamon-chocolate bun, along with all the usual culprits such as cardamom, lemon-poppy and much more.
Order them in advance, or try your chances and come along to pop up on via S. Agostino 11/R on Saturday morning. Have the buns delivered from their website.
+39 349 0548952 / www.wildbunsbakery.com
Anyone who has visited or lived in the UK will be excited to know that you can now find hot cross buns in Florence. The place to go is Melaleuca (lungarno delle Grazie 18).
Order ahead of time by calling +39 055 614 6894 or using the online ordering platform here
S.Forno (via S. Monaca 3R) are selling traditional and chocolate colomba cakes, Easter quiches, asparagus and pancetta pizza, strudel, and a special egg crostatina with cream and chocolate.
Go along to the restaurant to take away, order on Deliveroo or book in advance by calling +39 055 2398580 if you want something specific
