Taste Florence Like a Local: A Sandwich Lover’s Guide with Artviva
The Best Places to Get a Sandwich in Florence without waiting 2 hours on a line!
Look no further for the best sandwich in Florence
Florence isn’t just a city. It’s a table — stretched across centuries, set beneath marble domes and open skies. It’s a place where beauty and flavor live side by side, in frescoed chapels, bustling markets, and humble bakery counters.
Yes, you come to Florence for the art. But if you know how to look — and taste — you’ll find just as much soul in a warm slice of schiacciata as in a Botticelli painting. And please, don’t spend 2 hours waiting in a loine to get a sandwich! There are plenty of wonderful places to get a sandwich without wasting your precious time in Florence.
We at Artviva have been here for over 25 years, tasting and exploring every corner of Florence. This is our guide to eating like a local — not just where to find the best sandwiches, but how to be in Florence: to eat, to savor, and to respect a rhythm older than the Renaissance itself.
A Bite of Florence’s History
Florence was built on bold ideas and beautiful things. The Renaissance was born here, in the workshops of artists and the libraries of philosophers. The Medici family funded geniuses like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, while merchants filled the city with gold, silk, and spice.
Food has always been part of this cultural fabric. In the Middle Ages, markets at Sant’Ambrogio and San Lorenzo bustled with farmers, butchers, and bakers. Workers would grab a quick meal — a tripe sandwich and a glass of wine — before heading back to their workshops.
That spirit of quick, flavorful food for everyday people lives on in Florence’s street food scene today.
Florence Must-Sees (Fuel for the Soul)
Before you bite into the Best Sandwich in Florence take in the city’s most essential landmarks:
• The Duomo and Brunelleschi’s Dome – Florence’s architectural jewel, best viewed from every angle.
• The Uffizi Gallery – Home to Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and countless Renaissance masterpieces.
• The Accademia – Michelangelo’s David stands here in all his marble glory.
• Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens – Former Medici residence and sprawling, green gardens with hidden statues.
• Santa Croce – Resting place of Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli.
• Mercato Centrale – Florence’s historic food market — still a feast for the senses.
Florence’s Street Food Culture: Fast and Slow
In Florence, not every meal is slow and seated. There’s a proud, centuries-old tradition of street food and quick café rituals:
In the mornings, Florentines stop into a bar (never called a café) for a strong espresso or macchiato, standing at the counter. Maybe they’ll have a sfoglia alla crema or cornetto. It’s not for lingering — just a few sips and you’re off.
At lunchtime, it’s a different energy: people flock to their favorite panino spots for schiacciata bursting with salumi, pecorino, roasted vegetables, and spreads. You eat it standing or perched on a stoop — but never while walking aimlessly or making a mess.
Evenings are for slowing down. Aperitivo, wine, and meals shared across courses. It’s not common to walk around with a glass of wine or beer — that’s not the Italian way. Eating and drinking are meant to be done with purpose and pleasure, not on the go.
The Situation on Via dei Neri (aka “Greasy Street) All’Antico Vinaio
You’ve seen the lines. All’Antico Vinaio has become a global icon — but with fame comes friction. The street where it all began, Via dei Neri, is now called “Greasy Street” by locals. Why? Because of all the oil-stained paper and schiacciata drippings that end up on the centuries-old pavement.
Local shopkeepers have been dealing with blocked entrances, trash, noise, and thousands of tourists loitering on their doorsteps. So much so that Florence passed laws banning people from sitting on curbs and in front of churches — especially here.
So, when you grab your panino (Italian for sandwich) , respect the space. Step away from the crowd. Give the shopkeepers their sidewalk back. And most of all enjoy the best sandwich in Florence in the right place!
Where Can You Sit to Eat Your Sandwich in Florence?
Florence isn’t full of sprawling public parks — and public benches are few and far between in the historic center. But here’s where locals in the know go to enjoy a sandwich in peace:
• Villa Bardini Gardens (ticket required) – Quiet and shaded, with incredible views over the city.
• Boboli Gardens (ticket required) – The Medici’s lush retreat behind Palazzo Pitti. Great for finding a shady corner.
• Rose Garden (Giardino delle Rose) – Free to enter, filled with blooms and sculptures just below Piazzale Michelangelo.
• San Niccolò Riverside Parks – Small, grassy areas along the Arno near the ancient gate — locals love these.
• Piazzale Michelangelo – The panoramic view of Florence. Grab a ledge or a low wall and enjoy the breeze.
• Parco delle Cascine – A real, full-scale park. Great for a longer walk or a real picnic.
And please — do not sit on the steps of the churches.
It’s considered deeply disrespectful and is explicitly prohibited.
Best Sandwich in Florence without waiting on a long line?
Best Sandwich Shops: Full Local List
Here’s the full Artviva-approved list of where to get the best sandwiches in Florence — without standing in line for two hours:
’Ino
• Via dei Georgofili, 3r
• Gourmet sandwiches crafted with top-quality ingredients, tucked behind the Uffizi.
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Closed Sunday
• Phone: +39 055 219208
Pinos
• Via Giuseppe Verdi, 36R
• Generous portions and bold, Tuscan flavors — friendly and local.
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM | Open daily
• Phone: +39 055 244517
All’Antico Vinaio (Via Ricasoli location)
• Via Ricasoli, 121r
• Same famous flavors, much smaller crowd.
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | Open daily
• Phone: +39 055 238 2723
I Fratellini
• Via dei Cimatori, 38r
• Serving panini and wine since 1875 from a 1.5m-wide doorway.
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM | Closed Sunday
Da Nerbone
• Mercato Centrale, ground floor
• Lampredotto lovers’ paradise. Hearty, authentic, unforgettable.
• Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Closed Sunday
• Phone: +39 055 219949
Semel
• Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 44r
• Unique seasonal fillings like boar with orange or anchovies with fennel.
• Hours: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Closed Sunday
• Phone: +39 339 896 5028
Lo Schiacciavino
• Via dell’Ariento
• Perfectly pressed gourmet schiacciata near Mercato Centrale.
• Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM | Closed Monday
• Phone: +39 055 216879
SandwiChic
• Via San Gallo, 3r
• Chic and classic. Think roasted veg, creamy cheese, and fresh bread.
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Closed Sunday
• Phone: +39 055 280804
Il Cernacchino
• Via della Condotta, 38r
• Specializing in porchetta and daily specials, all made with love.
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Closed Sunday
• Phone: +39 055 217919
Osteria Il Buongustai
• Via dei Cerchi, 15r
• Tiny, traditional eatery with old-school Tuscan fillings.
• Hours: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM | Closed Sunday
• Phone: +39 055 214944
Taste Even More: Artviva’s 10 Best Food & Wine Experiences
Looking for more than just a sandwich? Join one of these unforgettable, insider-led food and wine tours with Artviva:
1.Florence Food Lovers’ Walking Tour
Visit historic food shops, taste local specialties, and uncover hidden gems in Florence’s tastiest neighborhoods.
2.Florentine Steak Dinner Experience
Enjoy a full bistecca alla Fiorentina dinner with a local expert, learning the secrets of this iconic dish.
Make your own real Italian gelato in a hands-on class with a Florence artisan — and eat your sweet creation.
4.Truffle Hunt in Tuscany with Lunch and Wine Tasting
Follow truffle hunters and their dogs, then sit down to a gourmet truffle-laced meal with local wine.
Spend the day tasting and touring Chianti’s best boutique wineries with your own private guide.
6.Cooking Class in a Tuscan Villa
Cook up traditional Tuscan dishes in a stunning villa, then dine on your handmade creations.
Learn how Parmigiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar are made — and taste them all at the source.
Combine UNESCO mosaics and incredible food in one stunning day of art and cuisine.
9.Olive Oil Tasting in Tuscany
Visit a working olive farm and taste fresh, peppery extra virgin olive oil straight from the source.
10.Private Aperitivo in a Renaissance Palace
Sip wines and nibble delicacies in a privately hosted aperitivo inside a historic Florentine palace.
Final Crumbs: How to Eat Like a Florentine
Grab your sandwich.
Find a quiet spot.
Sit down.
Savor every bite — and savor the city itself.
Because eating in Florence isn’t just about feeding your stomach.
It’s about feeding your soul.
Buon appetito — and see you at the table!
