La Braceria di Scandicci: The Best Steak Near Florence That Tourists Don’t Know About

Just ten minutes outside of Florence lies one of the most extraordinary dining experiences in Tuscany — yet few tourists ever hear about it.  Nestled in the quiet town of Scandicci, La Braceria di Scandicci is not a tourist restaurant. It’s a true Florentine steakhouse designed for Italians — and that makes all the difference.

When tourists visit Florence, they rarely venture beyond the city center. They stay near the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, or Santa Croce — and understandably so. Florence’s core is beautiful and historic, but it’s also saturated with restaurants catering to short-term visitors. Many of these places rely on location and atmosphere more than food quality.

Scandicci, on the other hand, is a local’s town. People live and work there. They are discerning diners who grew up surrounded by excellent ingredients and centuries-old culinary standards. Restaurants that thrive in Scandicci can’t rely on marketing or foot traffic — they have to deliver exceptional food.

That’s why La Braceria di Scandicci is special. It’s built for Italians who know steak — and that means visitors who make the short taxi ride from Florence are in for a real treat.

La Braceria opened in January 2017, the creation of owner Albano Ebeja, a man whose passion for meat and wine has made him a respected figure in Florence’s dining scene. Albano’s approach is rooted in tradition but elevated through technique: he sources the finest meats in the world, ages them to perfection, and pairs them with carefully selected wines.

The restaurant’s sleek yet welcoming interior reflects Albano’s philosophy — elegant but never pretentious. You might see a table of locals celebrating a birthday, a family enjoying Sunday lunch, or a couple from Florence who made the quick drive just for the bistecca. Everyone is there for one reason: the meat.

Perhaps the most impressive credential of La Braceria is its certification as an official dealer of Kobe beef — one of fewer than 30 certified dealers in all of Italy. For meat lovers, that fact alone sets it apart. Kobe certification is tightly regulated, requiring strict adherence to Japanese sourcing and quality standards.

But what’s remarkable is how Albano integrates this ultra-luxurious product into a Tuscan setting. You can enjoy the local bistecca alla fiorentina, or go international with cuts of Kobe, Wagyu, or Black Angus, all grilled to smoky perfection.

Albano isn’t just a restaurateur — he’s a certified sommelier with a deep understanding of wine pairings. On many evenings, he’ll personally recommend a bottle, often pouring a glass of Ceccante, a robust Tuscan red that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.

Over the years, my family and I have shared countless meals there — from casual dinners to celebratory evenings. Albano’s warmth extends to his staff as well: friendly, attentive, and all fluent in English, which makes the experience seamless for non-Italian speakers.

Florence is known for its steak, but few visitors realize that not all bistecca alla fiorentina are created equal. In the city center, some restaurants cater to tourists who may not recognize the difference between a truly aged, properly grilled cut and one that’s just average. At La Braceria, there’s no such compromise. The clientele demands excellence — and Albano delivers it every night. Every bite reminds you that this is how steak is meant to be.

What many visitors don’t realize is that Albano’s expertise extends beyond the restaurant. He also owns an international meat distribution company, supplying top-quality meats to other restaurants and chefs across Italy and other European countries. That background gives him access to the best cuts in the world — and it shows on every plate that leaves his kitchen.  For more information, visit La Braceria’s website here: https://www.labraceriadiscandicci.it