All’Antico Vinaio: The Story Behind Florence’s Most Famous Sandwich Shop
So you're in Florence and have been busy taking in the sights and you're getting a bit hungry. There's long, stretching queues at the Florence Duomo and Cupola, Uffizzi Gallery as well as a...sandwich shop? All'Antico Vinaio is a CRAZY popular Italian sandwich shop located in Florence, Italy. If you've ever strolled through the streets of Florence, chances are you've come across a queue snaking from a small panineria towards Piazza della Signoria. And if you're wondering why so many people are willing to wait, the answer lies in All’Antico Vinaio. The shop has become a beloved institution among locals and tourists alike for its delicious sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients.
All'Antico Vinaio offers a variety of sandwich options, including meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. Some of the most popular sandwiches include the "La Favolosa," made with prosciutto, pecorino cheese, truffle cream, and arugula, and the "Il Rosso," made with spicy salami, pecorino cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes.
The shop also offers a selection of wines and craft beers to accompany their sandwiches (the name is a mix of Vino and Panino popular in Tuscany). Customers can enjoy their sandwiches and drinks at the shop's small, standing-room-only space, or take them to go and enjoy them while exploring the city.
The history of Antico Vinaio goes back to 1989, when the Mazzanti family opened their panino-plus-vino store in a historic wine cellar. Joined by Tommy Mazzanti in 2006. Now it is a must stop and has been topping most-reviewed restaurants on TripAdvisor for years (in 2014 it was the most reviewed venue in the world). The secret to All’Antico Vinaio's success lies in its fresh ingredients, including the typically Tuscan flatbread schiacciata and mouth-watering toppings like tartufo, pecorino, and prosciutto crudo. All of the meats are sliced fresh to order, even with the long queue of people behind you they will take the time to slice every meat fresh for your sandwich!
All'Antico Vinaio sandwiches are known for being large and filling. They typically measure around 20 centimeters (nearly 8 inches) in length and are made with a generous amount of high-quality Tuscan ingredients such as prosciutto, salami, pecorino cheese, and truffle cream, among others. Because of their size and hearty ingredients, the sandwiches are often considered a full meal rather than just a snack or light lunch. Customers often share or split a sandwich between two people or take half for later.
In 2015, Antico Vinaio was featured on the popular travel and food show "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown," which helped to further increase its global profile. But All’Antico Vinaio's fame doesn't stop in Florence. After two fully sold-out pop-up stores took American customers by storm, the sandwich shop even opened in New York City and Los Angeles. The pop-up in 2019 at Osteria Otto in Manhattan sold out every single day of its 30-day run, leading to the opening of a full-time shop at 729 8th Avenue. A two-week event held inside the Chi Spacca restaurant in West Hollywood also had customers lining up for a taste.
Today, the shop remains a beloved institution in Florence, and its sandwiches continue to be made with the same care and attention to quality that the founding brothers originally established. All'Antico Vinaio has become so popular that it now has several locations throughout Florence, including a larger sit-down restaurant called "All'Antico Vinaio" and a wine bar called "Le Volpi e l'Uva."
Want to explore Tuscany a bit more? Take a more indepth look at the links below
FLORENCE
All about Florence, Pisa and Lucca
The Top 10 Must Sees in Florence
LUCCA
14 Delicious Things to Eat in Lucca
PISA
10 Delicious Things to Eat in Pisa
VOLTERRA