Food and Wine
The Italian term "enogastronomia" describes the link that develops in an area between the community and its local food and wine products. More and more people want to experience and taste this relationship for themselves, hence the popularity of food & wine tourism: a journey to discover the flavours and aromas of a region.
Traditional Florentine cuisine is simple and flavoursome: from the famous Chianina beef steak, known as "bistecca alla fiorentina" after the city, to traditional "peasant food" such as “pappa al pomodoro” and “ribollita” (both thick soups). Not to mention tripe or “lampredotto”, a classic dish made of the abomasum, the fourth stomach of a cow, which you can sample at various stalls dotted around the city known as lampredottai in the city's fine street food tradition. Accompanied by a glass of Chianti, of course.
And let's not forget that gelato was invented in Florence thanks to the ingenuity of Bernardo Buontalenti: artisan gelato is the pride of the city, There are many typical sweets of Florence, such as the schiacciata alla fiorentina (Carnival period), the schiacciata with grapes (September, October), the pan di ramerino, the rice fritters.
The territory also has its specialties. Typical dishes: the peposo from Impruneta (a stew cooked in the oven with a lot of pepper, a little tomato and red wine), the tortelli from Mugello (ravioli-shaped tortelli with a filling of boiled potatoes, cheese, garlic and parsley). Or local products, such as the Certaldo onion, the Pesca Regina (peach) of Londa, the saffron from the province of Florence ...
The city has more than its fair share of excellent culinary hotspots, with something to suit all tastes and needs. In the San Lorenzo district you will find the historic Mercato di San Lorenzo (Central Market) built between 1870 and 1874 by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, and now renovated as a major food and wine hub. The Sant'Ambrogio Market was also built by the same architect around the same time, and today houses stalls selling quality local produce.
While walking through the city's streets, it is easy to stumble across historic shops, taverns and vinai (wine cellars) which serve excellent traditional dishes, Tuscan cold cuts and cheeses. The city also offers a wide range of ethnic restaurants, with cuisines from Asia to Africa, and from Latin America to the Middle East.
Florence can offer dining experiences to suit all tastes and budgets, from typical trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants with a wide selection of fine Tuscan and Italian wines and haute cuisine. Discover the restaurants of Vetrina Toscana!
Comune di Firenze
The places
Stages
San Lorenzo Market - Mercato Centrale
The San Lorenzo Market is very popular for those, tourists and not, who are looking for food and wine experiences. In this building there are two markets, corresponding to the 2 floors:
- Ground floor:fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and bread sellers. You also have the chance to taste on site.
- First floor: the "Mercato Centrale" hosts delicatessen shops and restaurants with different vocation, in an open space, until midnight.
The complex building has an imposing stucture (made of iron, cast iron and glass) built in the 19th century when a complete new design of the historic centre has been put on. Between 1865 and 1871, infact, Florence became the new capital of the Kingdom of Italy and took on its present appearance, clearly inspired by the great European capitals, Paris first.
The Market was built in a wide area (within: Via dell’Ariento, Via S. Antonino, Via Santa Chiara and Via Panicale) destroying the existing residential structures. The interesting project was by Giuseppe Mengoni (the same author of the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, in Milan), and it was inaugurated in 1874 during an International Agricultural Exhibition.
Sant'Ambrogio Market
The covered market of Sant'Ambrogio hosts food shops and like the San Lorenzo market dates back to the end of 19th century when a complete new design of the historic centre has been put on.
In 1860 Florence became the new capital of the Kingdom of Italy and took on its present appearance, clearly inspired by the great European capitals, Paris first.
The construction of new markets was the main project of the new concept of the city. The market of Sant' Ambrogio, built in the large vegetable garden in the block beyond Santa Croce towards the walls, with a cast iron structure, was inaugurated in 1873 about a year before than San Lorenzo market.
The covered market is the very beating heart of the neighbourhood; outside the building all around the market more stalls can be found with different items such as flowers, clothes, household objects.
