If you’re traveling to Florence and find yourself without restaurant reservations, don’t despair. Florence is one of the best places to grab a panino – no reservations necessary and usually no lines. Please don’t fall for the viral spot I won’t even mention here. Florence has a long tradition of sandwiches served from street carts, in markets, in coffee bars, and just about everywhere in between. Here is a list of our favorites.
About 20 years ago, Ino kicked off a panino renaissance in Florence. Two decades on, they are leading the pack. Since the day they opened their doors, their gourmet sandwiches have been irresistible. What’s their secret? First of all, top-notch ingredients like prosciutto di San Daniele, Robiola from Piemonte, and sun-dried Pachino tomatoes from Sicily. Then, there’s the bread—specially ordered to have the perfect ratio of crust to crumb. And finally, the creativity. The daily specials are scribbled on a scrap of butcher paper, so you never know what you’ll find. The day I visited, I had a ciabatta filled with grilled zucchini, robiola, and ‘nduja (a spicy sausage spread). Truffles often make an appearance, which is never a bad thing.
Semel is so small it’s easy to miss—barely bigger than a closet. But this tiny storefront serves some of the best panini in town, maybe even in all of Italy. Open for only a few short hours a day (11:30 AM to 2:30 PM), the owner, Marco Paparozzi, elegantly crafts six different sandwiches daily. Semel refers to a typical Florentine roll—soft but slightly crunchy—sliced and filled with stews made from donkey, pheasant, beef, or deer. The last time I was there, I had roast duck with candied orange, though I was tempted by the herring with pecorino.
Da’ Vinattieri is quite literally a hole in the wall, tucked beneath an archway down a narrow alley. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the long line stretching from the window and door, lured in by the mouthwatering smell of slow-cooked goodness.
What are they waiting for? Fresh focaccia sliced to order and stuffed with just about any combination of cured meats and cheese you can think of. Or perhaps coccoli—small rounds of fried dough, served plain or stuffed to order. Then there’s the reason I found myself starving well before lunchtime: a crusty roll piled high with tripe and dabbed with salsa verde.
It can be tricky to find—just off the corner of Via Santa Margherita and Via del Corso.
Even though the sign outside says Alimentari, what’s really happening in this tiny, below-street-level shop is a whole lot of panini-making. Its quiet alley location and lack of signage mean it’s mostly locals in the know who stop by for a quick lunch.
The sandwiches are made with two thin slices of unsalted Tuscan bread, and you choose the filling. Tongue and mustard? Herring, butter, and capers? I always succumb to their famous galantina di pollo—a cross between chicken meatloaf and paté—topped with a few baby artichokes. I take my panino to the back room, grab a stool, and with a glass of Chianti in hand, I’m a very happy girl.
Casa Del Vino is exactly the kind of wine bar you dream of stumbling upon in Italy. Wooden shelves stocked with wine line one wall, while a long counter stretches along the other. At least a dozen bottles are open at any time for wines by the glass.
While wine is the main attraction, they’re also well known for their food, including bite-sized panini. Small, round, soft brioches are filled just enough to make the perfect snack. A favorite? A roll generously spread with butter, then topped with a few marinated anchovies. The soft, slightly sweet bread contrasts perfectly with the salty anchovies and rich butter.
Florence has no shortage of tiny wine and sandwich spots, but I Fratellini might just win the prize for the smallest. Barely more than a closet-sized opening onto the street, this historic wine bar has been in business since 1875.
Step up to the counter, choose a glass of wine from the half-dozen bottles open that day, and order a panino. Then take everything outside to eat. If you find yourself juggling too much, no worries—just set your glass on one of the wooden shelves, where numbered niches help you keep track of which one is yours.
Il Cernacchio is a much-loved trattoria outside of Florence, in Chianti. The owners had the brilliant idea of opening a scaled-down version in the city, serving some of their best-loved dishes in panino form.
Expect Tuscan classics like peposo, acquacotta, and stewed boar or chicken, all served in a hollowed-out crusty roll. Eat your stew with a fork or spoon, then finish by devouring the bread, now soaked in all those delicious juices. They also have a delicious selection of more traditional panini, including my favorite: mortadella, burrata, pistacchio and arugula.
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