Florence has become very well-known for panini, different kinds of sandwiches stuffed with all things delicious. 

Many visitors tend to flock in mass to the same Insta-famous shop, which is ok, but not worth wasting precious hours standing in line, when you could very easily just walk up to an even better establishment.

This is my ultimate list as a Tuscan native, with detailed descriptions and videos about what makes each panini shop unique 💎

Don't forget to download Thatch app to access full features and to save ☑️ this map for future use!

Italian Language 101: one panino, two panini.

Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Best panini in Florence (free guide)     

If you are visiting Florence for a day, here's a free guide of what you can do and see all in only one day!

One day in Florence

One of Italy’s most visited cities, it can be hard to navigate the endless food choices in this beautiful city, especially with all the tourist traps scattered throughout the historic center . From traditional family owned trattorie, to more glamorous restaurants doing something slightly different or even a simple panini shop, Firenze has it all. 

Firenze

Spending some time in beautiful Florence? This is a complete list that provides you with a handful of options: accommodation, tourist attractions, shops, bars and restaurants - you’ll need no other guide, I promise! 
So…have a bite and a drink alongside Arno river and take home the most impressive bespoke souvenirs. The city is walkable and it blends art and history and romantic vibes all together and pretty soon you’ll find yourself in love. 💓

Must do - trips to picturesque towns located nearby:
• San Gimignano: 1h away
• Siena: 1h10 away
• Volterra: 1h20 away

Highlights:
⚜️ Il Giglio - giglio bottonato, is mainly known from the crest of the city of Florence. In the Florentine fleurs-de-lis, the stamens are always posed between the petals. This is also the emblem of the city and you shall see it depicted all over. 
🍨 Gelato “crema fiorentina” - is the specific flavor of Florence, made with a simple combination of egg yolks, milk, and sugar. It is often flavored with chestnut honey, while another common addition includes crumbled amaretti cookies or almond liqueur. It is a neutral ice cream flavor with delicate pale-yellow color.
🍧 Affogato - a delightful and simple Italian dessert or beverage that combines two beloved elements: espresso and gelato or ice cream. The word "affogato" in Italian means "drowned," and that perfectly describes the preparation of this delicious treat. The basic affogato recipe involves pouring a hot, freshly brewed espresso over a scoop of cold gelato or ice cream. The hot espresso contrasts with the cold and creamy gelato, resulting in a harmonious and satisfying flavour combination.
🥩 Bistecca alla fiorentina -  Italian steak made of young steer (vitellone) or heifer (scottona) that, combined with the specific preparation, makes it one of the most popular dishes of Tuscan cuisine.
🍷 "Buchette del vino" - or wine windows, are a peculiar feature of Florence. They are foot-high, dome-shaped holes in the thick, stone palazzi of the Renaissance city that six centuries ago were used to sell wine in a fiasco (glass bottle) without having to open a shop and avoid paying taxes. These wine windows also posed a useful anti-contagion way to sell wine during the epidemic of 1630-1633. At that time, the bubonic plague hit Florence hard, killing 12% of the city's population.

Florence - the ultimate guide to a romantic escapade 🌸

Eating and drinking your way through Tuscany 🍷🍝

Montaione

Chiusdino

Castelfalfi

Castiglioncello del Trinoro

Tirli

Gaiole in Chianti

Castiglione della Pescaia

San Gimignano

Barberino Tavarnelle

Radda in Chianti

Montepulciano

Florence

Tuscany + Florence 

If you're headed to Florence and want to eat some of the best meals of your life, grab this list! 

WHY THIS LIST INSTEAD OF MY FREE VERSION? Because this way, you have options! 
Find yourself hangry and need food ASAP? You'll find great, authentic options on this list near you no matter where you are! 
Your first choice restaurant is full? I include plenty of options, so you have backups in each neighborhood! 
In a really touristy area without a reservation? This gives you a cheat sheet for eating well anywhere you find yourself! 

Everywhere on here I've personally eaten or had it recommended to me by someone living there at least 5 years.

In this guide, you'll get: 
- an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot
- recommendations on typical dishes to order
- Categories included: restaurants, panini & cheap eats, coffee & breakfast, bars & speakeasies, gelato

Italy

Tuscany, Italy

🇮🇹 Tasting Italy: Florence Foodie List

Baci's picks for restaurant recommendations and how to choose/rely on suggestions.

Florence, Italy

When It's All About The Food In Florence

Welcome to Florence! 

This Renaissance city is full of captivating streets, incredible architecture, and beautiful artistry. One of my favourite cities in all of Europe Florence is sure to amaze and excite you. 

It is a walking city, you will never get sick of the views, the shops or the food. Help yourself to a panino and a gelato in between churches and galleries. 

🗺 Click on the Map for an interactive guide! 
✨️ Click to book tours and activities. 
❓️Any questions? Leave a note at the bottom of the guide. 
📖For personalised itineraries book a consultation! 
 

Florence: Destination Guide | arta.

Florence Italy

This guide not only explores the rich tapestry of Florentine cuisine, illuminated by the Tuscan sun, but also unveils the city's best accommodations, from luxurious villas to charming boutique hotels, ensuring a comfortable and stylish stay. Beyond gastronomy, discover Florence's cultural heart through its Renaissance art, historic landmarks, and vibrant local finds providing a full immersion into the beauty and tradition that make Florence a quintessential Italian experience.

Under the Tuscan Sun: Florence's Culinary & Cultural Delights

Florence for the day

Your comprehensive guide to exploring Florence like an insider. Explore, dine, and shop your way with this meticulously curated travel guide, highlighting the most picturesque gems and must-visit spots. 

Think of this guide as your travel companion—comprehensive yet never overwhelming. 

Here's a peek at what's inside:

Insider Tips for Florence
Flavors of Florence
Where to Stay
Attractions
Art & Museums
Churches
Cafés
Food
Dessert
Drinks
Rooftop Bars
Wine Windows
Shopping
Markets
Miscellaneous
Notable Florentine Figures
Films Set in Florence
Link to Custom Google Maps

florence ultimate guide

THE DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE TO THE HIGHLIGHTS OF ITALY - ROME, FLORENCE, VENICE, & MORE 🇮🇹

I've been fortunate enough to visit Italy multiple times and even more fortunate to have been guided by true Italian friends. Here, I take all that I've learned from those travels and distill it into one perfect itinerary that hits the big highlights. 

This itinerary is a great fit for first-timers since it'll take you to the absolute must-see spots in Italy. You certainly won't see all the boot has to offer (just plan on coming back for future trips, plural, to make that happen), but you'll see the most iconic places at a reasonable, enjoyable pace. You'll be able to soak up all the history, food, wine, and dolce vita these cities have to offer. After this first taste, you'll be dying to come back for more!

🗺️ Main Itinerary Stops:
- Rome | 2 full days / 3 nights
- Orvieto | Pit stop
- Tuscany // Montalcino | 2 full days / 3 nights
- Siena | Pit stop
- Florence | 2 full days / 3 nights
- Tivoli | Pit stop
- Rome | Overnight for return flight 

🗺️ Optional Extension Stops:
- Pisa | Day trip (+ extra night in Florence)
- Bologna | Pit stop
- Venice | 2 full days / 3 nights 
- Modena | 1 full day / 1 night here or nearby  

📣IF YOU WANT MORE INFO BEFORE PURCHASING ➡️ Check out the free preview of this guide. It includes:

- OVERVIEW STATS: Including trip length, ideal season, trip speed, physicality, trip themes, who this trip is best for, cost, and how to get around

- STOP-BY-STOP OVERVIEW: Including number of days at each destination and number of activities, restaurants, and hotels included in the full version of this guide

- EXAMPLE ITINERARY DAY: An example day from the full version of this itinerary, so you can see the level of detail and travel style you can expect!

- BONUS - HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS: All the same recs from the paid version! Consider supporting my work by booking through the links provided - it’s much appreciated!

Montalcino, Province of Siena, Italy

Orvieto, Province of Terni, Italy

Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

Pisa, Province of Pisa, Italy

Tivoli, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

Modena, Province of Modena, Italy

Siena, Province of Siena, Italy

Bologna, Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy

Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

ITINERARY | 9-14 Day Italian Highlights

A foodie's guide to Florence, Italy!

After spending months in Florence and eating ALOT of different foods, I have compiled a complete list of everything you must eat while you are in Florence.

I only recommend places I have personally visited and have returned to multiple times during my stays!

I also include many "must try" recommendations for the different locations for must-try food options that you should not miss!

Guide includes:
3 coffee shops
4 pizza spots
7 pasta restaurants
3 rooftop bars with stunning views
3 panini shops
2 cocktail bars
2 gelato shops
1 pastry shop

Florence Food Guide

Home to arguably the best food and wine on earth. 
We loved Florence and the beautiful Tuscan vineyards and can't wait to return one day. 

You'll find our favorite restaurants, activities, and a few day trips included in this guide. 

Here are some travel tips: 
1. The trains STOP at around 7PM; so make sure you plan your dinner reservations accordingly. The app you want is called "Trenitalia" - I've included a link to the app under "Day Trips" below.
2. Take all of your normal public safety precautions; pickpocketing and side scams are common. 
3. If the gelato is mounded so high it's reaching towards the heavens, it's not for you. 
4. If there are waiters outside waving you in with bold English menus, say "no, grazi".
5. Always ask if the establishment accepts credit cards before you order. 
6. Prepare to tip your tour guides well, especially if your tour was "Free". 
7. Do not pass up on a wine window!! This city's beautiful and unique, hidden gems. 

Best things to see, do, and eat in Florence, Italy

A selection of some of my favorite and bucket list dining & drinking destinations in Florence. 

Florence | Dining & Drinking

Some of my favorite places to eat and drink in Florence!

The Hit List | Florence Food & Drink Guide

Here the best place where eat in Firenze

Most popular are Schiacciata antico vinaio, ice cream pasta and fiorentina!

Firenze, FI, Italia

Firenze | What eat 🍔

Florence for Foodies

I Fratellini

This little hole-in-the-wall shop has been open since 1875 and specialises in bread stuffed with a variety of local ingredients. We love the prosciutto and truffle panino, and if you want to stand outside with your glass of wine, you will be able to set your glass on the wooden shelves placed on the side of the entrance right on the sidewalk, perfect for people-watching

Since 1875. Located right in Florence's city center, just beneath the Church of Orsanmichele. Panini with rosetta bread or schiacciata. This is one of the few places that regularly serves raw sausage panini, one of my favorites! Take note that there might be a line.
Check out the video below for more. 

A tiny, historic sandwich shop serving paninis since 1875. The shop is known for its classic recipes and high-quality ingredients. It has a stand-and-eat setup so go for a quick bite. Also, love that it's centrally located.

Get the panini with prosciutto and truffle butter. 

Grab a classic lunch among locals - panino! This hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop serves a classic variety of paninis, and is right on the way to our next stop - Piazza della Signoria!

Tip: Pair your delicious panino with a glass of wine!

Tucked away on one of the side streets off the main piazza, don't miss this sandwich shop. The line moves quickly and the prices are very reasonable. Grab a sandwich and a spot on the sidewalk to enjoy! 

Amazing sandwiches! Great cheap lunch option with plenty of options. They’ve also got plenty of wines and is also great for takeaway if you need to grab something for later. 

A historic panini shop offering delicious sandwiches filled with fresh ingredients, perfect for a quick bite in between sightseeing.

PANINI SHOP

A small-family owned panini shop that has been a favorite of locals and tourists since it opened in 1875. 

Really good sandwich shop that draws a crowd. Excellent sandwiches and grab a glass of vino to-go.  

Landmark panini shop since 1875.  It won't disappoint!

Hole-in-the-wall eatery with amazing sanchwiches!

I Fratellini

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