The Best Sandwiches in Florence, Italy
Florence may be known for Renaissance art and the Duomo’s towering dome, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover one of Italy’s most underrated food scenes, especially when it comes to sandwiches. Florentines have a long-standing relationship with bread. The region’s famously unsalted bread dates back to the Middle Ages, when a heavy salt tax led locals to bake without it, a tradition that continues to this day.
Don’t care about Florentine sandwich history? Click here to skip to our list of sandwich spots, or click here for our map.
Lampredotto
On the streets of Florence, you’ll still find “trippai”, historic street vendors selling lampredotto.
Lampredotto is the OG Florentine street sandwich. Made from the fourth stomach of the cow, it's slow-cooked in a broth with herbs and spices, then chopped and served in a crusty bun, often dipped in the broth for extra richness and topped with salsa verde.
If you’re serious about trying local food, then you have to try it. The best places to go are:
Tripperia Pollini – Via de’ Macci
Trippaio del Porcellino – Near the Porcellino Market
I’Trippaio in Via Gioberti – More local, no-fuss
La Tripperia delle Cure – Piazza delle Cure
Schiacciata
You’ll notice that Tuscan bread is a little different. Most notably, it’s made without salt. This tradition dates back to the 12th century when a salt tax from Pisa led Florentines to bake saltless loaves, a practice that’s still going strong today.
The most iconic bread you’ll come across in Florence is schiacciata. This Tuscan flatbread is similar to focaccia but thinner, crispier, and often brushed with olive oil and salt (yes, this one has salt). When sliced and stuffed, it becomes the base for many of Florence’s most beloved panini. You’ll find schiacciata used everywhere, from tiny kiosks to gourmet wine bars.
Aside from schiacciata, here are a few other types of bread you might spot in Florentine sandwich shops:
Rosetta – A hollow, round bread roll with a crisp crust. Great for lighter fillings.
Pane toscano – The traditional unsalted bread, used more often at the table than in sandwiches, but sometimes appears in rustic panini.
Baguette-style loaves – Occasionally used, especially in places aiming for a more international style.
Mini buns and finger rolls – Found at upscale spots like Procacci, perfect for aperitivo-sized bites.
A quick note: Traditional Italian panini never include more than one type of cured meat. Prosciutto and salami in the same sandwich? A foreign concept.
Where to find the best sandwiches in Florence
All’Antico Vinaio
All’Antico Vinaio was founded in 1989 by the Mazzanti family, who opened their sandwich-and-wine shop in a historic Florentine wine cellar. Since then, it’s become the most famous sandwich shop in Florence after becoming a viral sensation thanks to social media. The queues can be huge, but they’ve now installed self-service kiosks to speed things up, though it does take away some of the charm.
Still, the sandwiches are undeniably delicious, with generous portions of schiacciata stuffed with creamy cheeses, cured meat, and truffle spreads. We were sceptical, but after grabbing one and sitting by the river to eat, we couldn’t fault it.
Locals may not like it, but as a visitor to Florence it certainly hits the spot!
Forno Becagli
If you’re looking for a more low-key, local alternative to All’Antico Vinaio, Forno Becagli is a great shout. This traditional bakery serves fresh schiacciata sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients, without the queues or hype. It’s the kind of place locals actually go for lunch, and you can taste the difference in the bread — chewy, salty, and golden with olive oil.
Lo Schiacciavino
Lo Schiacciavino offers something a little different; pairing freshly made schiacciata panini with wines by the glass. With a cosy interior and some seating, it’s the perfect place to take your time over lunch. The fillings lean towards traditional with a gourmet touch, and there’s care put into every bite. Ideal if you’re after a relaxed experience and want to sip something Tuscan while you eat.
Retrobottega
Stylish and modern, Retrobottega blends the best of traditional Tuscan flavours with a contemporary setting. Expect sandwiches packed with local ingredients; cured meats, aged cheeses, and seasonal veg. All served on freshly baked schiacciata or classic rolls.
SandwiChic
SandwiChic is all about gourmet panini with serious attention to quality ingredients. They source their meats and cheeses from small producers and combine them in flavourful ways that feel elevated but still true to Tuscan roots.
Procacci
Established in 1885, Procacci is a historic Florentine establishment renowned for its small, truffle-stuffed panini. This is the place to come during aperitivo hour, when you can pair delicate sandwiches with a glass of wine. The fillings are luxurious; think foie gras and truffle, smoked salmon and rocket, anchovy and butter with truffle oil — all served in dainty portions that allow you to sample a few.
Owned by the Antinori family, who’ve produced wine for 26 generations, it’s a small but significant taste of Florence’s food and wine heritage.
Semel
Tucked near the Sant’Ambrogio Market, Semel is where you’ll find the most inventive and distinctly Tuscan sandwiches in Florence. Don’t expect your usual salami and cheese. Instead, the small panini here are stuffed with things like tagliolini pasta in wild boar ragù, stewed donkey with chard, or sausage with saffron.
The owner, Marco, doesn’t care for fame or social media, he just wants you to eat something excellent. The sandwiches are small but full of character, and a few make for a perfect lunch.
Ino
Ino is a stylish sandwich and wine bar near the Uffizi Gallery, known for its modern flavour combinations. Their standout is the Panino Costiera — stracciatella di burrata, Cantabrian anchovies, and lemon oil — served hot on a crusty bun. The flavours are bold and luxurious. However, service can be hit or miss; some visitors rave about the food but note the owner can come across a bit brash. Still, if you’re there for the sandwich alone, it’s well worth a stop.
I Fratellini
This literal hole-in-the-wall has been serving up sandwiches since 1875. Despite its tiny size, I Fratellini has a huge following thanks to its simple, flavourful offerings. They use proper schiacciata from traditional bakers and keep their fillings classic — prosciutto, pecorino, truffle spreads, rocket.
Pinos
A relaxed, casual spot that serves great-value sandwiches alongside glasses of wine. While not as widely hyped as others on this list, Pinos is consistent and comforting; think classic combos done well, in a no-frills setting that’s great for a quick lunch or an easy snack between sights.
Il Cernacchino
Il Cernacchino flies under the radar compared to some of Florence’s more Instagrammed spots, but the sandwiches here are top quality. They also offer warm dishes and hearty Tuscan meals alongside panini, making it a good stop if you’re travelling with someone who wants something more substantial. Cosy, quiet, and reliably good.
Florence, One Sandwich at a Time
Florence may be world-famous for its art and architecture, but its sandwiches deserve just as much praise. Whether you're queueing for a schiacciata piled high with cured meat and truffle cream, or savouring a bite of lampredotto from a centuries-old street cart, you’ll not be disappointed.
What makes it special is the balance: humble ingredients, local pride, and a refusal to overcomplicate things. Bread, meat, cheese, a drizzle of olive oil — that’s it, done perfectly.
So skip the sit-down lunch. Grab a panino, find a sunlit piazza or a spot by the river, and eat like a Florentine. And if you try something note worthy, let us know in the comments — we’re always hungry for more!
Florence Sandwich Map
How to use our maps
Click on the menu icon on the top left to show a list of all places on the map. You’ll find our notes by clicking on each place.
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More from Tuscany
Florence isn’t just about Renaissance art and architecture — it’s also home to some of Italy’s best sandwiches. This guide covers the top places to grab a panino in the city, from legendary lampredotto stalls to wine bars serving truffle-stuffed schiacciata.