Florence: 5 tasty panini shops under €5
Looking for something quick and cheap to fill you up while sightseeing in Florence?
Local meats, cheese and fresh veggies stuffed into salty, crunchy bread make panini a perfect choice. A great panino will be made with fresh bread and filled with just a few choice ingredients, but if you’re craving additional ingredients just ask!
Stop in at one of our favorite cheapo paninerias where prices range from €2.50 to €5, take your sandwich to a piazza or park, and enjoy a delicious break from the museums and sights.
Budget tips for visiting Florence
• The 10 best cheap hotels in Florence
• 11 Simple ways to save on your trip to Italy
All’Antico Vinaio
Via dei Neri 65
For fast food Florence style, visit All’Antico Vinaio, a bustling local hangout not far from the Uffizi Gallery. This place is always packed, partly because it’s tiny, and partly because regular customers and tourists alike can’t get enough of their mouthwatering cured meats and homemade spreads. You can’t go wrong with a crusty bread roll stuffed with porchetta, or a traditional prosciutto and cheese. Not in the mood for meat? The flat bread with olive oil is delicious stuffed with tomatoes and mozzarella. Best sellers are ready-made, but the owners are happy to tailor make a sandwich for you. There’s also a help yourself wine bar if you have time for a more leisurely lunch.
Focaccine Bondi
Via dell’Ariento, 85
It’s not surprising that Foccacine is known for its incredibly flavorful focaccia bread. Get it stuffed with anything you wish, or ask for suggestions from the expert sandwich makers. You might have to search for a bit to find this shop located behind the San Lorenzo market, but it’s worth the hunt! Sandwiches start at € 3 and change depending on your fillings. Seating is limited in the historic panineria, but service is fast and there’s room to stand, or you can take your panino to go.
I Fratellini
Via dei Cimatori, 38r
Website
This old-school sandwich shop (since 1875!) is so tiny it serves directly out onto the sidewalk. It’s also one of the best in the entire city—and even more important to our wallets—one of the cheapest. I Fratellini is very central, right between the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo, but retains local clientele with its extensive menu, made to order service and incredibly low prices. The 20 sandwiches on the menu are about €2.50 each, and custom sandwiches can be made for around the same price. This hole-in-the-wall (literally) is also known for its large selections of wines by the glass, so take advantage of their generous pours. For a fresh, fast lunch with a local touch, make a pit stop at I Fratellini.
Scheggi Panineria
Viale dei Mille, 1
Website
If you happen to find yourself near Stadio Artemio Franchi, the soccer stadium in the Le Cure neighborhood, then don’t leave without stopping at this paninoteca. Scheggi has been known for whipping up an array of delicious panini since 1952. The schiacciata flatbread is just soft enough, with the perfect dusting of olive oil and salt. Sauces are made in-house and named after Fiorentina players, as the owners are big soccer fans. Scheggi has every type of meat and cheese you can imagine, and plenty of veggies too. As all sandwiches are made on the spot, you can get creative with your combinations. A must if you’re headed to a soccer match, but worth the trip for anyone visiting Florence.
Salumeria Verdi (Pino’s)
Via Giuseppe Verdi 36/R
Website
Pino and Antonella, the adorable and friendly couple running this sandwich shop, seem to always be in the kitchen and ready to serve you a fantastic panino. They love helping foreigners practice their Italian, and are happy to talk through the menu and ingredients with you.
For around €3.50 you’ll get a panino stuffed to the brim with grilled veggies and cured meats. The homemade sauces are fabulous—try the truffle if you’re a mushroom fan—and the bread is made fresh daily. For an authentic, cheap experience, don’t miss Pino’s.
About the author
Great post!!
Thank you for sharing