All’Antico Vinaio

All'Antico Vinaio is probably the best-known sandwich shop in Italy. The original shop on Via dei Neri, a few minutes from the Uffizi and the Palazzo Vecchio, started as a traditional wine shop and became famous for its schiacciata, the Tuscan flatbread, sliced open and filled to order. Its popularity exploded online in the 2010s, when it was described as the most reviewed venue in the world in 2014, and the brand now has several branches in Florence, including Piazza San Marco and Santa Maria Novella station, as well as outlets elsewhere in Italy and abroad.

The schiacciata is baked fresh, salty and oily on top, and generously cut to fit fillings that spill out of the sides. Classic combinations use Tuscan cured meats such as finocchiona and sbriciolona salami, mortadella, prosciutto and porchetta, with cheeses including pecorino, and creamy spreads such as pecorino cream, artichoke cream, truffle cream and pistachio cream. A menu board lists numbered house combinations, but you can also choose your own fillings. Vegetarian versions with grilled vegetables and cheese are available. A glass of wine from the counter is part of the old tradition.

Expect a queue, especially from late morning to mid-afternoon, though it moves quickly as staff work fast. Several branches on Via dei Neri sit close to each other, so check where the line for ordering starts. Sandwiches are large enough to share for a light lunch, and prices are low for central Florence. There is no seating to speak of, so most people eat standing in the street or carry their sandwich to a nearby square or the riverside.

It suits budget travellers, families and anyone wanting a quick lunch between museums. It is less suited to anyone wanting a sit-down meal; for that, look for a trattoria nearby.

The shop is on Via dei Neri, about three minutes' walk from the Uffizi and Piazza della Signoria and five minutes from Santa Croce. The Ponte Vecchio is a short walk west along the river, and Piazza Santa Croce is a good place to sit and eat. Ordering is quick if you decide on your filling while you queue.