Procacci

Procacci has been a fixture of Via de' Tornabuoni, Florence's grandest shopping street, since 1885, when Leopoldo Procacci opened a delicatessen here. Surrounded today by fashion boutiques, it is a small, old-fashioned bar and shop whose interior has changed very little: the Palladiana floor and wooden panelling date from 1910, and the counters and shelves are stacked with jars and gourmet products.

The house speciality is the truffle panino, a small, soft bread roll filled with truffle butter or cream, a treat that Florentines have been ordering here for generations. Other versions include truffle with foie gras, raw ham with mushroom and truffle cream, scrambled eggs with fresh truffle, and smoked salmon with soft cheese and chives, along with butter and anchovies for something more classic. They are made to be eaten with a glass of wine, and the list focuses on wines from the Marchesi Antinori estates. There is also a bistro menu that changes twice a year, for autumn and winter and for spring and summer, with weekly specials.

The shop counter sells the truffle products and other ingredients used in the panini, which make good gifts. Procacci is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00, which makes it a convenient stop for a late-morning snack, a light lunch or an early-evening aperitivo. In warmer months there are a few tables outside on the street. Space inside is limited, so at busy times you may have to wait or stand at the counter.

Prices are moderate considering the address and the truffle, and a couple of panini with a glass of wine makes a satisfying light lunch. It suits food lovers, shoppers taking a break, and couples looking for a classic Florentine aperitivo. Children are welcome, though the setting is small.

Procacci is about five minutes' walk from Piazza della Repubblica and the Palazzo Strozzi, and around seven minutes from the Duomo. Piazza Santa Trinita and the Ponte Santa Trinita are a short walk south along Via de' Tornabuoni, and the Ferragamo museum is close by. Late morning and mid-afternoon are usually the quietest times to find a spot inside, and the panini also make an easy snack to take on a walk along the river.