Pad thai with ingredients on display

Meet any expat or student living in Florence, ask what they miss from home and usually besides air conditioning, ice coffee to-go, normally they mention a certain food that they can’t get in the city (or at least easily). Without a doubt Italian food is my favorite so please refrain from commenting on how I am lucky to have all this amazing food 24/7 in Italy {I know!}. But every once in a while, we really crave something different, a peanut satay, perfect mole enchiladas, a fresh greek salad. The world is a big place, and there is nothing I love more than traveling it via cuisine.

Thai food is one of my absolutely favorites and whenever I’m back home or visiting Germany, I can’t get enough of fragrant curries, lemongrass soups, pad Thai or basically anything made with coconut milk and ginger [which also happens to be the name of my beagle puppy!]. Hence my very real excitement when Kristina from Yelp Firenze invited a group of us to try a new Thai place, Tao Bistro, in Florence.

 Our pretty table-setting at Tao Firenze

The location near the US consulate isn’t exactly your average stomping grounds, but it’s an easy walk from the historical center, and from the Santa Maria Novella train station in a nice area. I actually peeked my head in a few times when heading to Cascine park.

Once arrived, we started with a few cocktails since I heard some pretty amazing things about their bartender. Of course I asked for something with ginger and voila, the bartender whipped up some of the best ginger mojitos I have ever tried, along with a pomegranate gin fusion for Nico. I need to incorporate a blog cocktail meter to rate drinks in Florence, this would have gotten a 10 from me for sure!

Refreshing cocktails – one of the best places in Florence! 

Tao Firenze – Winning! 

For me personally, it can be hard to find a decent cocktail in Florence that isn’t 12 euros plus. Plus they weren’t sugary or filled with ice to the brim which is something I see a lot around town. We nursed these drinks with a selection of fried dumpling appetizers with spicy & sweet dip side, which was the perfect companion. The best part was listening to the waiter say over and over ‘sweeeeeeet and spiccccccyyyyy’ especially when referring to Kristina ;-). I nearly spit out some fresh mint! Also on hand was a fresh cod salad and thinly sliced tuna carpaccio. Great menu items for hot summer days [like this week] when the last thing you want is something hot and heavy.

Talking about the main courses, we tried a selection of different dishes: pad Thai, a mixed rice dish and green curry. I liked everything even if none of the main courses were a perfect 10 in my opinion, but I would like to explore some of their other menu items to see if I can find that winner. Ps. My ginger panna cotta dessert was really impressive, that is something I’d like to see in more menus around the city.

Dessert – A ginger panna cotta

The perfect place to go with a group of friends for a night of dinner and drinks before dancing the night away, I really did like the fresh ambiance of the place. Knowing that there is a restaurant in town where I can indulge in some Thai food makes me happier than ever – Florence you are impressing more with every day!

Have you been to Tai Bistro in Florence? If so, what were your thoughts? I’d love to hear them! 

Tao Asian Bistrot & Lounge Bar
corso Italia 35, Firenze (FI). Check their Facebook Page for events & news. Tip* They are also open for lunch, 10 euros for a thai/tuscan buffet!