Bars, pastry shops, bakeries, and ice cream parlors are other suggestive options for a break to learn more about the city’s gastronomic culture and appreciate its flavors.
- GUALTIERI. Via Senese 18r. The young and energetic Ginevra, together with pastry chef Giulio, pass on with passion and professionalism the art of pastry making that the family has celebrated 90 years of. The place itself is a little gem of attention to detail.
- PASTICCERIA GILLI. Via Roma 1. Historic bar/pastry shop in the central Piazza della Repubblica offering a wide selection of “desserts”.
- VIVOLI. Via isola delle stinche 7r. Historic ice cream shop also remembered by the Florentine storyteller Marasco. Excellent cream. They only serve in cups. Their “affogato” has now gone “viral”.
- FORNO SARTONI. Via dei Cerchi 34r. Historic bakery with a large and always stocked counter of sweet and savory products.
- CANTINETTA DA VERRAZZANO. Via dei Tavolini 18r. Bakery that also offers two rooms to enjoy quick meals and platters and wines from their farm. Simple but well-kept environment with a fun collection of oven peels with the names of the academicians of the Crusca, an academy founded at the end of 1500 that preserves the history of the Italian language. Each academic gave himself a name linked to the world of baking.
- BADIANI. Via Tosinghi 12r. After the mother house that is located outside the center, it is finally possible to enjoy their “Buontalenti”, along with many other flavors, even a stone’s throw from the Duomo.
- LA MENAGERE. Via Ginori 8r. For breakfast as for an aperitif or after dinner, this place always satisfies expectations.
- BUONAMICI. Via dell’Orto 31r. In the San Frediano neighborhood, this pastry shop continues a long family tradition.
- BAR PICCIOLI. Borgo Ognissanti 118r. Excellent bar with homemade pastries with a wide selection of “savoury” ones too.
- DITTA ARTIGIANALE. Various locations in the city. In addition to the excellent coffee, in which it specializes, and to which it reserves a passionate and constant research, it offers a wide menu with quality products from breakfast to aperitif.
- LA SORBETTIERA. One of the best ice creams, in our opinion. Wide selection of excellent and original flavours. Three locations in the city.
- LA STREGA NOCCIOLA. Via dei Bardi. A stone’s throw from Ponte Vecchio, one of the best ice creams in the city.
- BASE V JUICERY. Via de’Neri 46r- Via Guicciardini 7. For an excellent healthy and nutritious break.
- PANIFICIO PALATRESI. Borgo Ognissanti 102. Don’t miss the schiacciata “Ligurian”.
- S.FORNO. Via Santa Monaca 3r. Furnished with impeccable taste, it is a traditional bakery that also offers delicious breakfasts or original snacks.
If you don’t have the time and/or desire to “sit down at the table”, no problem. If you’re hungry for food and authentic experiences, Florence also offers many quick and informal solutions, but always of the highest quality.
Breakfasts, snacks and lunches can be consumed quickly, sitting at a table or even at the counter, in historic venues or traditional environments.
These are the suggestions for Florentine “fast food”, between food shops that serve “dishes” and sandwiches, wine bars with appetizers and places for unforgettable aperitifs.
- MARIANO. Via del Parione 19. A stone’s throw from Via Tornabuoni, the street of luxury shops, for over 30 years passion and consistency have made “Mariano”, always present behind the counter, one of the best places for a custom-made sandwich and a glass of wine. Highly recommended.
- LA CASA DEL VINO. Via dell’Ariento 16r. In the Mercato Centrale area, Gianni, passionate about wines and top-quality products, was the first in the city to serve top-quality sandwiches. For over 30 years.
- PROCACCI. Via Tornabuoni 64r. Historic sign on the luxury street where you can taste the historic and delicious truffle sandwiches. Excellent selection of wine from the Antinori winery, owner of the sign.
- IL SANTINO. Via Santo Spirito 60r. Little brother of Santo Bevitore, the lucky ones who win one of the few tables will be offered cutting boards and quick-to-make dishes. Also excellent for an aperitif.
- INO. Via dei Georgofili 3r. Alessandro Frassica, also the author of three books on sandwiches, has been offering the best quality in terms of raw materials, without compromise, for over 20 years. A stone’s throw from the Uffizi.
- I FRATELLINI. Via de’ Cimatori 38r. In a side street of the very central Via Calzaiuoli, this tiny place serves a wide range of excellent sandwiches, to be enjoyed with a “gottino” of red wine, strictly standing.
- SEMEL. Piazza Sant’Ambrogio 44r. From the name of the traditional Florentine sandwich, a wide choice of delicious fillings to try.
- FIASCHETTERIA FANTAPPIÉ. Via Serragli 47. Historic wine shop in the popular San Frediano neighborhood.
- F. lli ZANOBINI. Via Sant’Antonino 47. Historic place where you can enjoy glasses by the glass at the old counter together with regular local customers.
- LE VOLPI E L’UVA. Piazza dei Rossi 1r. Wide, refined and elaborate selection of cold cuts and cheeses, not only Italian, with wine pairings.
- NUVOLI. Piazza d’Olio 15r. A stone’s throw from the Duomo. Also a small trattoria in the basement.
You can’t say you’ve been to Florence if you haven’t eaten – “eaten” not “tasted” -, a lampredotto sandwich.
Lampredotto is the quintessence of Florentineness. Street food par excellence, it has accompanied breakfasts, lunches and restorative snacks of Florentines for centuries.
For the more curious, what is commonly called lampredotto is nothing other than the abomasum, one of the four parts of the ruminant’s stomach, which in accordance with the most classic popular traditions, sees in the use of every part of the animal a solid stance in favor of sustainability and respect for the animal.
Made up of two parts, “gala” and “spannocchia”, it is served cut into a sandwich that can be seasoned to taste, adding salt, pepper, green and/or spicy sauce and certainly “bathed” in its cooking broth. Accompanied by a glass of red wine, it is the best way to enjoy life in Florence.
Needless to say, it is a delight!
Here are some useful addresses.
- TRIPPERIA POLLINI. Via de’Macci, in the Sanrt’Ambrogio area. One of the best lampredotto sandwiches.
- TRIPPAIO DEL PORCELLINO. Piazza del mercato nuovo. The longest-running tripe shop in Florence, always present, offers one of the best lampredottos in the city.
- DA NERBONE. Inside the San Lorenzo Market, try their boiled meat sandwich.
- I’TRIPPAIO DI FIRENZE. Via Foscolo 5r. Excellent sandwiches. Also try the tripe-based specialties that vary from day to day.
- TRIPPAIO DI PORTA ROMANA. Piazzale di Porta Romana. Once run by the “legend” Mario Albergucci, a true Master in the field, the tripe shop today passes on his recipes.
- LA BUTICCHE DI’ LAMPREDOTTO. Piazza de’ Nerli. In the area where lampredotto was historically born, in the popular neighborhood of San Frediano, Simone stands out for the quality of his products.
- EREDI NIGRO. Inside the San Lorenzo market, perhaps the most beautiful “stall” of one of the largest lampredotto producers in the city. From producer to consumer.