7 Off The Hook Sandwich Shops In Florence, Italy - A Florentine Family’s Favorites  - Eating Around Italy (2024)

Last updated on March 12th, 2024

Are you looking for the best panino in Florence, Italy? There is nothing more satisfying than sinking your teeth into a nice, juicy sandwich after an intense museum visit and I guarantee you will be satisfied with one of my recommendations.

I am a mom of four in Florence and it’s fair to say sandwiches play a huge role in my busy working mom life. And, I won’t settle for a mediocre panino!

So, let’s take a look at Florence’s best sandwich shops!

More Options: If, instead, you are looking for the best schiacciata sandwiches and general bakeries, read Best Bakeries in Florence and Where to Find the Best Schiacciata in Florence.

Best Sandwich Shops In Florence Map

Best Sandwich Shops In Florence Quick Guide

Eating in Italy: Need help navigating culinary traditions, rules and ordering in Italian? Read:
How To Order Food In Italian

What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy

Semel

Best For: Innovative sandwiches in Florence

Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 44/r

Don’t miss this amazing hole in the wall for some of the best street food in Florence right off the Sant’Ambrogio Market. Semel is not your typical sandwich shop in Florence but rather, a breath of fresh air in terms of innovation and creativity from a culinary point of view.

More On Markets: For more specifics on opening times, what to buy and how to shop at markets in Florence read Food Markets in Florence and Markets in Florence.

Their menu changes seasonally and based on what is in season and available each day with only six sandwiches on the menu. The sandwiches are small and should be enjoyed with their €1 wine by the glass.

The combinations of ingredients are always different and in the daily selection of panini there is something for everyone’s likings. There is always some strange combination such as tong or donkey but don’t let that scare you.

There is no indoor seating but rather, just a couple of stools outdoors.

Good To Know: Pair your sandwich at Semel with some of the best Coffee in Florence at Coffee Mantra and a market visit at Sant’Ambrogio Market.

Deli 1891 Firenze

Best For: Build your own sandwich in Florence

Piazzale di Porta Romana, 1/r

Deli 1891 Firenze is one of the old time pizzicherie or Italian delis in Florence with some of the best tailor-made sandwiches to order.

The deli stocks all different kinds of bread including traditional pane toscano, schiacciata and rolls with a wide assortment of locally produced cured meats and cheeses. Build your sandwich however you want or allow them to help you create the best panino based on what they think pairs well and is the freshest.

Come here to have a true Italian experience side by side the locals as they pour in for a quick panino before heading back to the office.

Eat your sandwich on the street in Porta Romana or at one of the small tables indoors.

Good To Know: Deli 1891 is also a small gastronomia or grocery store selling gourmet goods such as canned goods, take away lunch items, pre-cooked sides and basic Italian ingredients.

Procacci

Best For: People watching or truffle lovers

Via de’ Tornabuoni, 64R

Procacci is more than just a small sandwich shop. It’s actually considered a wine bar or enoteca (a great place to drink wine in Florence) but I can’t leave it out because of their famous truffle sandwiches.

Pop into this chic wine bar and choose from their small snack size sandwiches made with truffle butter paired with a crisp white wine or glass of prosecco and you won’t be sorry.

Sit at either the fancy bar inside or on their small outdoor terrace on the fashionable Via de’ Tornabuoni for some great people watching. Of course, you can order anything you like including co*cktails, Spritz, and red wine to accompany your small bites.

Sergio Pollini Lampredotto

Via dei Macci, 126

Sergio Pollini Lampredotto is a permanent food truck located just off of Piazza dei Ciompi close to the Sant’Ambrogio market serving up some of the most famous street food in Florence.

Open daily 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Sergio serves up his beloved lampredotto panino made from stewed cow’s stomach served on a bun with salsa verde (a green parsley sauce).

Alternatively, you can order the trippa stewed in tomato sauce served in a small takeout container with a crusty corner of bread for fare la scarpetta or for soaking up all the extra sauce.

Tip: Be sure to get your bun dipped in the cooking liquid, making the panino extra most and flavorful.

Ino

Best For: Sit down ‘slow’ sandwich experience in Florence

Via dei Georgofili, 3r/7r

Ino is Florence’s coolest sandwich shop offering an innovative selection of gourmet sandwiches tucked away behind the Uffizi and close to Ponte Vecchio.

What I like about Ino is that you can actually sit down and enjoy your panino without any sense of urgency or rush.

Ino offers signature panini with condiments like sweet mustard, balsamic vinegar and pepper jelly or you can choose from their wide selection of locally sourced ingredients to build your own sandwich.

The price point is a little higher than at other sandwich shops in Florence but I think it’s worth the experience and unique flavors. You are also paying for the atmosphere, location and great wine and beer selection.

I Fratellini

Best: Historic sandwich shop in Florence

Via dei Cimatori, 38/r

I Fratellini is one of Florence’s oldest panino shops opened in 1875 and was my first panino in Florence over 20 years ago.

This hole in the wall sandwich window is located on a side street off the main drag of Via Calzaiuoli.

The original Fratellini window sells simple sandwiches made on round rolls with €1 wine by the glass to eat street side but most recently they have also opened a second window to the right selling schiacciata sandwiches.

Both are excellent, reliable and affordable. Keep your eyes peeled for the crowd and get there early to avoid a very messy Italian-style “line”.

Good To Know: Some of the best gelato in Florence is just around the corner at Perché No!

Gusta Panino

Best For: Families

Piazza Santo Spirito, 1

Gusta Panino is part of the Gusta culinary conglomerate in Santo Spirito serving up quick lunches with traditional Tuscan food and sandwiches made with either bread or schiacciata and traditional cheese and cured meat combinations.

Choose to have your sandwich made to go and eat it in the Santo Spirito square or opt to eat it at one of their few tables.

Gusta Panino is my top pick for families because it’s located in a car free piazza in a local neighborhood, making it safe for kids to run around while you wait for your sandwich or meal to come. For families with different hankerings, Gusta Panino is perfect. Kids can order sandwiches while adults can choose from their daily specials such as bruschetta or ribolllita.

Families In Florence: You may be interested in reading more about eating with kids in Florence in Where to Eat with Kids in Florence and Where to Get a Quick Bite with Kids in Florence.

Spending Time in Florence? Make the most of your time eating and drinking in bella Firenze!:
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