Florence’s street food runs from Mercato Centrale to the lampredotto carts. Ribollita (bread soup) is the essential Tuscan comfort dish; gelato at Vivoli or La Sorbettiera is the finale.
Why It Belongs on the List
Florence's street food culture runs from Mercato Centrale (the cathedral of Tuscan produce, best at the ground-level food stalls rather than the tourist floor above) to the lampredotto stands outside — tripe sandwich, Florentine working-class institution, essential. Nerbone inside the market for ribollita and bollito misto. Oltrarno's back streets for pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar pasta) in trattorias that still don't take reservations. The better the Italian you attempt, the better the service.
What Stands Out
- Mercato Centrale San Lorenzo: fresh produce ground floor, food stalls upstairs
- Lampredotto: tripe sandwich from street cart, the real Florentine street food (~€4)
- Ribollita: bread and white bean soup, best in autumn/winter
- Pappardelle al cinghiale: wide pasta ribbons with wild boar ragu
- Gelateria dei Neri: rated Florence's best gelato