I’m standing in the middle of Mercato Centrale’s ground floor, watching a vendor slice a wheel of pecorino that’s been aged for eighteen months, and I realize I’ve been in Florence for three days without really tasting it. The Duomo is stunning. The David is everything you’ve heard. But the city’s real pulse? It’s here, in the smell of frying artichokes and the sound of a butcher calling out to a regular by name. Florence draws over 15 million visitors annually, and most of them never get past the museum queue. I wanted to change that.
Florence draws over 15 million visitors annually, and most of them never get past the museum queue.
If you only have one day in Florence, skip one museum and take a food tour instead. You’ll leave with a better understanding of the city than any guidebook can give you.
Food lovers
Solo travelers
Families with older kids
This guide covers the best food tours in Florence, what you’ll actually eat, and how to pick the right one for your style and budget. I’ve broken it down by neighborhood, price point, and what each tour emphasizes — because a wine-focused walk is very different from a market-and-cooking deep dive.
Food & Drink
Mercato Centrale and the San Lorenzo neighborhood
This is the most famous food market in Florence, and for good reason — but the real magic happens on the ground floor, not the upstairs food hall.
The ground floor of Mercato Centrale is where locals shop. You’ll find stalls selling fresh pasta, porchetta, aged cheeses, and the city’s best lampredotto. Da Nerbone has been serving lampredotto sandwiches here since 1872. The line moves fast, and the sandwich costs around €5. It’s a fourth-stomach cut of beef, slow-cooked in broth, served on a crusty roll with salsa verde or spicy chili oil. I was skeptical. I left a convert.
Several food tours start here, including the private Tastes of Florence tour operated by Artviva. That one runs from €400 and includes an expert English-speaking guide who knows the vendors by name. You’ll sample artisanal cheeses, Tuscan cured meats, and seasonal specialties, plus wine pairings. It’s customizable for dietary preferences, which matters if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t eat pork or gluten.
Visit Mercato Centrale on a weekday morning before 11 a.m. The crowds are thinner, and the vendors have time to chat and offer samples.
Food & Drink
Sant’Ambrogio Market — the local alternative
If Mercato Centrale feels too busy, Sant’Ambrogio is the quieter, more authentic counterpart on the other side of the Duomo.
Sant’Ambrogio Market is smaller and less polished. You’ll find fewer tourists and more Florentine grandmothers doing their weekly shopping. The produce is seasonal, the fish counter is excellent, and there’s a small wine bar inside where you can stand and drink a glass of Chianti for €3. Several tour operators, including The Tour Guy, offer market tours and cooking classes here. Their Sant’Ambrogio Market Tour and Cooking Class combines a guided walk through the stalls with a hands-on cooking session afterward.
This market is also where you’ll find some of the city’s best street food. Look for the fried meatballs (polpette) and the panzanella — a bread-and-tomato salad that tastes like summer in a bowl. The vendors here are less accustomed to English, so bring your phrasebook or a smile.
Sant’Ambrogio Market is closed on Sundays. Plan your visit for a weekday morning when the selection is best.
Food & Drink
Wine bars and wine-focused tours
Florence is the gateway to Chianti, and the city’s wine bars are some of the best places to taste without leaving town.
Le Volpi e L’Uva is a tiny wine bar near the Pitti Palace that pours mostly small-production Tuscan wines. They serve excellent cheese and salumi plates to pair. Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina is another solid option, with a sommelier who can walk you through the differences between Chianti Classico DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. If you want a structured experience, the Tastes of Florence tour includes wine tastings with guidance on pairing wines with regional dishes.
For a deeper dive, consider a Chianti vineyard tour that departs from Florence. The Tour Guy offers a Chianti Vineyards 3-Course Dinner that includes transportation and a multi-course meal paired with wines from the region. It’s a good option if you want to see the countryside without renting a car.
Some wine bars in the city center charge €15+ for a glass of Chianti that costs €5 in a neighborhood bar. Stick to places like Le Volpi e L’Uva or Casa del Vino for fair prices and better selection.
Food & Drink
Gelato, cantucci, and sweet finishes
No food tour in Florence is complete without something sweet, and the city has a few non-negotiable stops.
Il Cantuccio di San Lorenzo is the place for cantucci — the twice-baked almond cookies that Florentines dip in Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine. The shop is small and unassuming, but the cookies are made fresh daily. Most food tours end here or at a gelateria. The guide from the Roaming Historian tour recommended looking for gelato made in small batches with natural colors, preferably stored in small tins rather than piled high. That advice has never steered me wrong.
Gelato-making classes are also popular. LivTours offers a semi-private gelato making class in Florence with a maximum of six people. It’s hands-on, and you get to eat your creation at the end. Use code AMYRH10 for 10% off when you book two or more tours.
Private tour vs. small group — which is right for you?
The biggest decision you’ll make is whether to book a private tour or join a small group. Here’s how they compare.
| Private tour | Small group tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From €400 (Artviva Tastes of Florence) | €60–€120 per person |
| Group size | Just you/your party | 6–12 people |
| Customization | Full — dietary needs, pace, interests | Limited to the set itinerary |
| Best for | Couples, families, serious foodies | Solo travelers, budget-conscious visitors |
| Guide access | Undivided attention, deep Q&A | Shared attention, still knowledgeable |
If you book a private tour, ask for a guide who specializes in food history — not just someone who knows where to eat. The difference between a good tour and a great one is context.
- Private tours cost more but offer full customization — ideal for families with dietary restrictions or specific interests.
- Small group tours are more affordable and social, but you’ll follow a fixed route and schedule.
- Book at least two weeks in advance during peak season (April–October) to secure your preferred guide and time slot.
Florence food tours — what to know before you go
How much does a food tour in Florence cost?
Private tours start around €400 for a half-day experience. Small group tours range from €60 to €120 per person, depending on the length and inclusions.
Most tours include all food and drink tastings, but check whether wine pairings are included or offered as an add-on.
Are food tours in Florence worth the money?
Yes, if you value context. A good guide explains why Florentine bread is unsalted (it was a medieval tax dodge) and why lampredotto is a working-class staple. You won’t get that from a menu.
That said, if you’re on a tight budget, you can replicate the experience by visiting Mercato Centrale and Sant’Ambrogio on your own with a good food blog as your guide.
What is the most disappointing food tour in Florence?
Any tour that spends more than 30 minutes in the upstairs food hall at Mercato Centrale. That floor is designed for tourists, and the quality doesn’t match the ground floor. A good tour focuses on the original market stalls.
Also avoid tours that promise “secret” spots but take you to the same three restaurants listed in every guidebook. Ask for the itinerary before you book.
Can I take a food tour with kids?
Yes, but choose a private tour so you can set the pace. Ethan (4) lasted about 90 minutes before he needed a break. Lily (7) loved the gelato stop and the pasta-making demo.
Some operators, like Artviva, offer customizable itineraries that work well for families. Just confirm ahead of time that the guide is comfortable with children.
What should I eat in Florence besides pasta and pizza?
Lampredotto, ribollita (a hearty bread-and-vegetable soup), pappa al pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), and crostini neri (chicken liver pâté on toast). These are the dishes Florentines actually eat at home.
For dessert, skip the tiramisu and order cantucci with Vin Santo. It’s the classic Florentine finish.
Eating my way through Florence — and what I’d do differently
I spent my first two days in Florence chasing the big sights. On day three, I slowed down and let the food lead. I ate lampredotto at Da Nerbone, drank Chianti at a wine bar where the owner poured me a second glass on the house, and watched a cheesemonger explain the difference between pecorino aged six months and eighteen months to a customer who didn’t speak Italian. That’s the Florence I’ll remember. Not the queue for the Uffizi, but the moment a stranger handed me a slice of cheese and said, “Assaggia — taste this.”
If you want to plan your own food-focused trip, start with this guide to Florence’s storied dishes and farm-fresh ingredients — it covers the regional specialties you’ll want to track down.
Sources and further reading
Visit Tuscany. “Tastes of Florence: Private Walking Food Tour.” 🔗
Roaming Historian. “Ultimate Food Tour in Florence.” 2025. 🔗
Artviva. “Ultimate Florence Food Tour.” 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Florence with Kids: Your Family Travel Guide — Practical tips for visiting Florence as a family, including kid-friendly restaurants and activities.
Florence Day Trips: White Truffles in San Miniato — A guide to the white truffle festival and how to visit from Florence.
See Florence’s Art History: Duomo’s Dome View — What to know before climbing Brunelleschi’s Dome, including ticket tips and the best time to go.
Bologna: A Guide to Its Delights — If you love food tours, Bologna is the other Italian city you shouldn’t miss. This guide covers the best food experiences there.