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Casamatta Restaurant near Hu Camping, Florence
Casamatta Restaurant was one of the first restaurants we’ve been wild staying at Hu Camping, just a kilometre or so away. We had a lovely pasta dish cooked perfectly and definitely we will return again.
We’ve been really pleased with it – there’s a great selection of pizzas and pastas and the food has always been good. It definitely feels more like a local place, rather than the touristy stuff you find in town. A great experience!
Our First Impressions and Atmosphere
Casamatta sits on Via Aretina, 360, well outside Florence’s crowded tourist centre. We arrived around 8 PM, and the restaurant buzzed with lively energy. Locals filled most tables, chatting loudly over glasses of wine. The space feels large and welcoming, not fancy or stuffy. Sports played on a big TV above the bar, adding to the casual, and neighbourhood hangout vibe. We loved that we weren’t surrounded by other tourists. The staff greeted us warmly and seated us immediately, even without a reservation.
The Food: Pizza and Pasta Shine
We started with a platter of tapas Italian style to share as an appetizer. The platter comes with two type of Salami, a ball filled with mozzarella cheese, four toasted bread topped up with a kind of tasty pate, four toasted bread topped up with very tasty Italian tomatoes with a sprinkle of virgin olive oil and sliced hamon in the middle of the platter.
For my main course, I ordered seafood pasta tossed with distinct chunks of succulent octopus. Right in the centre of the dish rests a generous dollop of mozzarella cheese finished with a smooth white cream. The entire dish is finished with a scattering of finely chopped fresh green herbs, almost certainly flat-leaf parsley, which adds a pop of colour and fresh flavour.
My partner chose a seafood dish with two fillets of fish and freshly stirs fry vegetables. The other two companions ordered a pizza and another spaghetti dish. Both dishes arrived steaming hot and in generous portions. We barely finished half of each plate, but the flavours kept us reaching for more bites.
Service and Staff Hospitality
The waiters moved efficiently through the crowded dining room, never making us feel rushed. Our server spoke excellent English and patiently explained several menu items we didn’t recognize. He recommended local Chianti that paired wonderfully with our meal. When my partner asked about gluten-free options, the waiter immediately confirmed they had gluten-free pasta and pizza available. He assured us they prepare those dishes separately to avoid cross-contamination. Throughout the meal, staff checked on us multiple times, refilling our water glasses without us asking.
Value and Final Thoughts
Our entire meal—including the tapas platter, two pasta mains, a bottle of wine, and two cokes—cost only €60 total. For Florence, that price feels almost unbelievable. The knight ended perfectly with four limonchello shots, a strong liqeur made locally. Casamatta doesn’t try to be trendy or pretentious. It delivers honest, delicious Italian food in a relaxed setting. If you want an authentic local experience away from the Duomo crowds, come here. Just bring your appetite—the portions will test your limits.
