PizzAudace, in Florence: a neighborhood pizzeria where the pizza is the main attraction.
PizzAudace, on the outskirts of Florence, serves Neapolitan wood-fired pizza inside the sports center of the Audace Legnaia football club.
It's located on Via Giovanni Antonio Dosio, on the border between Isolotto and Legnaia. The renovation of a previously run-down area has resulted in a cheerful and colorful space, which has become a true community hub for the neighborhood, attracting young people, couples, families, and all kinds of customers. There are no franchises or big names behind the pizza.
The conservatory-style dining room is bright and airy, with a front patio where children can play. The young, friendly staff serves unpretentious Neapolitan pizzas. The service is quick, efficient, punctual, and kind.
The menu features over 30 varieties of pizza, along with sharing plates and appetizers such as fried cod fritters with chickpea hummus, carrots, and caramelized onions. Seafood options are also available, including linguine allo scoglio and gnocchi with ricotta and bottarga. The drinks menu, primarily featuring beer, focuses on major brands, while the wine list includes well-known labels rather than those from smaller producers.
Pizza is the star. A wood-fired oven, naturally fermented dough, and semolina flour give it a distinctive crust, slightly thicker than usual in Tuscany, topped with authentic Neapolitan tomato and mozzarella. There's also a naturally fermented whole wheat option. The Margherita has a lightly toasted crust. The Gold, with yellow tomato sauce, prosciutto, basil, and stracciatella, is a bit dry due to the small amount of sauce. The PizzAudace, with tomato, mozzarella, spicy salami, porcini mushrooms, and gorgonzola, and the Eccellenza, with mozzarella, shaved truffle, stracciatella, truffle oil, and prosciutto, are excellent.
Desserts are made to order, such as a crispy basket with yogurt mousse and red berries. There's also sweet calzone, trifle, tiramisu, cheesecake, and chocolate tart with a shortcrust pastry base, all for under €25 per person.
PizzAudace is a neighborhood pizzeria that prioritizes the essentials. The pizza is well-made and the price is fair, perhaps even low for the quality. The drinks menu is fairly standard.
