Street food in Florence embodies a fascinating fusion of tradition, culture and culinary innovation.
In Italy, food is not just sustenance. Italians approach food almost as if it was a sacred ritual, a precious moment to savour flavours and bond with friends, family and even strangers.
So eating is something to do calmly and sitting down. However in the last few years, street food has been emerging and it is becoming an integral part of the Florentine culinary landscape. Street food offers an enticing range of local delicacies that capture the essence of Tuscan cuisine. From crispy sandwiches filled with delicious cold cuts and cheeses, to crispy slices embellished with fresh ingredients, every bite tells a story of centuries-old recipes and culinary craftsmanship. The charm of street food lies in its accessibility and immediacy. It offers busy Florentines and curious travellers the chance to taste authentic flavours while walking, without compromising on quality or authenticity.
Street food is usually bought in kiosks on the street but also in small places that are intended for sale and with takeaway food.
Among these the most typical street food of Florence, the one that are part of the Florentine tradition, are:

• panino al lampredotto and panino with tripe
• gelato
• panini (stuffed sandwiches)

lampredotto and tripe

Lampredotto and tripe are both Florentine the street food par excellence and present distinct culinary traditions.
It should be noted that tripe is to find throughout Italy while lampredotto only in Florence. So lampredotto is a must for those who really want to know Florence.
Lampredotto, obtained from the fourth stomach of the cow, is boiled with herbs and is characterized by a strong and pronounced taste. The tripe, on the other hand, consists of the stomach of the cow which is boiled with tomato sauce, vegetables and aromatic herbs and offers a much sweeter taste than the lampredotto and an almost gummy texture.
Both are served in a crispy bread (panino).
The most famous lampredotto and tripe in the city centre are:

1.  Nerbone – Central Market of San Lorenzo
   Nerbone is located on the ground floor of the Mercato di San Lorenzo. Lampredotto can be eaten in the classic sandwich, seasoned in the most usual way with green sauce and spices or in a dish.
2. ‘I Trippaio di San Frediano – piazza de Nerli
   In Oltrarno, in the most Florentine district of Florence, Marco offers the classic sandwich, but each time the sandwich is declined in a different way, always following the recipes of the Tuscan tradition.
3. I’ Trippaio del Porcellino (da Orazio) – Piazza del Mercato Nuovo
   This historical activity is here since the end of the nineteenth century. It offers tripe and lampredotto just as the Florentine tradition dictates. I recommend a glass of loose wine to make the experience even more memorable.

Right outside the center for a more local experience:

• I’ Trippaio di Firenze – Via V. Gioberti, 133r
  Famous for its mix of tongue, sternum and cow matrix, known as “boiled erotic” and also personalized variants such as “cacciucco di lampredotto”.
• Aurelio I ‘Re del lampredotto – piazza Tanucci
  Here tripe and lampredotto are prepared in the classic way but there is a rich offer of new recepies like lampredotto in zimino or carbonara, with bacon, pecorino romano and scrambled eggs with hot broth.

Gelato

Gelato was born in Florence. Tradition says that it was the court architect, Bernardo Buontalenti, who invented it. The Medici, the ruling family in Florence, wanted to astonish a delegation of ambassadors and they were looking for something never seen before, that would go beyond the beauty of palaces and statues. So the Florentine architect created a cream to be served cold.
That’s why in the Florentine gelato places there is also the “Buontalenti” flavour, try it!
Gelato is therefore a way to eat, to cool off (especially in summer), and cuddle yourself.
There are many gelato places in the city centre. Among all I especially love:

• La Strega Nocciola (Via de ‘Bardi, 51, or in via Ricasoli) which has unique and not common flavors such as lavender, but also more traditional ones such as Stracciatella which will always be my choice.
  
• Perché no – Why not (via dei Tavolini 19 R). Here my favorite taste is watermelon, which is only to find in the summer but the choise is enormous all through the year!
  
• Venchi (via Calzaiuoli and Piazza Mercato Nuovo) for those who love chocolate. They even have a chocolate cascade!

Panini

The Italian panino (sandwich) embodies the art of Italian cuisine, where simplicity, quality of ingredients and culinary refinement converge to elevate the humble sandwich to a gastronomic delight. In the sandwich the flavours merge seamlessly and thus becomes a medley of cold cuts, cheeses, vegetables embedded between two simple slices of bread.
The most famous places to eat a SANDWICH in Florence are:
L’ ANTICO VINAIO – via de’ Neri 74R –
I DUE FRATELLINI – via de’Cimatori 38R.
BUT I suggest you go to these places only if you are willing to stand in line for a long time. I think that evenif these sandwiches are really good, no sandwich is worth waiting 45 minutes in line, especially because there are so many other options.

My favorite places for sandwiches are:

• Alimentari Uffizi – Via dei Lamberti
  A 100 ago this place was a simple grocery shop located just a stone’s throw from the Uffizi. Now it is still a place to taste delious food. In fact it preserves the spirit of the past but above all the ancient flavours, revised in a modern way. The meats are all made on the organic farm of Giovanni’s son, the landlord. Let him advise you for your best panino or for a plate of cold cuts at kilometer zero and don’t forget a good glass of wine. For me there is no doubt, a place to try!

• Forno (bakery) of Via Sant’Agostino
  This shop where you buy bread is an amazing place. It is located in the Oltrarno, a few steps away from Piazza di Santo Spirito and it allows you to eat focaccias, pizzas, cakes and also delicacies that are made on the spot, under your eyes. Very good the hot schicciata that you can choose to be crispy, medium or soft. Letizia, Florentine DOC knows all clients by name and creates a great sense of belonging to the neighborhood. A unique way to feel Florentine!

The article can not end without mentioning the MARKETS of San Lorenzo and Sant’Ambrogio true joys of street food.

There is everything you can think of : from the fresh pasta that is made in front of you and that is cooked at the moment, to the cutting boards with tastings of cheeses and cold cuts, not forgetting the tastings of truffle sandwiches, various types of bread and the magnificent fruits and vegetables.

The Mercato Centrale is certainly more touristy than the one of Sant’Ambrogio which still remains the true market of the residents of the center of Florence.

So what better way to immerse yourself in this beautiful city than to mingle and taste delicious food while walking and admiring the beauties of art. An experience you will never forget.