Cave di Maiano is a few minutes' walk from the main piazza, down the hill toward the quarry area, and feels noticeably removed from the tourist circuit as a result. The setting is rustic — a converted farmhouse with a large garden terrace — and the cooking is more straightforwardly Florentine than some of the piazza restaurants. Grilled meats, seasonal pasta, and the kind of fagioli all'uccelletto (white beans with sage and tomato) that Florentines eat at home.
It's a good choice for a long Sunday lunch when the main piazza feels too exposed. The garden fills with Florentines who've driven up for the air and the food, a reliable sign of quality. The walk back to Fiesole or down toward San Domenico makes for a pleasant end to the afternoon.