Panino, Panini | The Rough Guide to Florence

Now let's get something clear: panino = sandwich, singular and panini = sandwiches, plural.  Get this distinction right and you won't be laughed at when you order these simple yet ridiculously flavorful handheld feasts.  If you thought you had it great at Subway or your local delicatessen, prepare to be blown away.  It's really no surprise, the Italians do everything better, even sandwiches.  Fresh baked pane or bread pressed to perfection holds together between the crunchy goodness a plethora of savory, salty, and flavorful fillings that will be harder to choose from than your senior prom dress.  Panini are the perfect lunch to combat the hunger you will work up after pounding the cobblestone streets all day, darting in and out of the cyclists and people.    

A Pino's panino, photo courtesy of travelblog.org

Like usual, click the colored name of the place to pull up the Google Map! 

Salumeria Verdi - Pino’s Sandwiches

Via Giuseppe Verdi, 36r

Pino’s is a place you have to visit, not just for the panini but also for Pino himself.  A short walk from the Duomo and close to Santa Croce you’ll stumble upon Pino’s where you can have yourself some amazing food. There is almost always a line out the door but you barely notice the wait as your eyes feast over the menu of already perfectly curated panino selections or if that’s not your thing, the overflowing cases of ingredients in which you can stuff into perfectly toasted pane (bread).  Pino himself is a loud and happy man who greets everyone like a friend, even remembering you and your order if you come often enough.  Ask him his favorites and he’ll create a panino I promise you will love and crave for days and in my case, months later.  And it’s not just sandwiches that is served at Pino’s. They always have smaller antipasto (appetizer)  type dishes to go along with your panino as well as a delicious selection of pastas.  My favorite was their pasta con tartufo or pasta with truffle when truffle season kicked into high gear in Firenze.  The clientele is made up of lots of students but don’t let that deter you from picking up a great meal.  

Antica Sosta degli Aldobrandini

Piazza Madonna degli Aldobrandini, 5/6r

Also known as the "Student Discount Place" by Lorenzo de' Medici students, this corner stop is rustic yet very satisfying and if you couldn't tell by the nickname also a place that won't hurt the wallet.  Antica Sosta degli Aldobrandini is a small stop right at the corner of Via Faenza near many of the buildings that LdM holds classes during the week as well as a lot of student apartments.  They have a pre-set panino menu that you can order off of or you can create your own masterpiece a la Subway but with waaay more amazing filling options.  For about €3,50 you can create your own 5 ingredient panino.  My go-to panino was always brie formaggio (cheese), tacchino (turkey), salame, pesto, and if I wanted something with a bit of sweetness pera (pear) or pomodori secchi sott'olio (sundried tomatoes in oil).  You can have it in restaurant or as take-away if you're running from class to class.  If you dine in there are many more options.  They offer an assortment of salads which come in huge bowls as well as a pretty descent apertivi spread come evening time.

Tip: Coffee to-go is a completely American concept.  You're better off not asking at a bar if you can have your coffee to-go unless you absolutely, positively know they offer this service as coffee drinking is a very important Italian cultural past time.  Antica Sosta degli Aldobrandini DOES offer coffee to-go so rejoice if you're a coffee addict and must have 24/7.

** EXTRA TIP: If you go down Via Faenza a couple of shops after Antica Sosta degli Aldobrandini, on your left you will come across a small taverna and shop that also creates beautifully crafted panini.  It is right across of Antica Gelateria Fiorentina, a great gelateria.  This shop offer a student discount as well and the fixings are amazing, even in my opinion better than Antica Sosta.  However, I found this gem late in my stay and was stupid to not write down the name or take a photo.  There is a quaint cellar eating area in the back of the shop, hidden from the prying, jealous eyes of those who want your panino.  If you do find this place and eat here, please send me the name and a picture of your panino.  Is that weird?  I don't care, it was THAT good.  

Palle D’Oro Trattoria

Via Sant’Antonio

If you want to test your Italian skills and go a little more local, Palle D’Oro is the place. Located around the corner from Mercato Centrale, the trattoria does serve both lunch and dinner plates, but my favorite were the panini served to order. For only €3 or €4, you get a panino stuffed with meats and cheeses on a tasty ciabata roll. They have tons of options and even serve up the Florentine traditional lampredotto. My personal favorite was the speck (cured meat) e brie con rucola (arugula), slightly warmed up to melt the brie. You can either take the panino to go, or sit or stand in the bar area where you will find many locals around 1 o’clock, chatting and eating merrily. I’ve also taken it to-go a few times and sat on the steps of Basilica di San Lorenzo on a nice day to enjoy the delicious and savory lunch. One last thing I love about Palle D’Oro are the owners. The man behind the counter making your panino is always kind and patient, letting you practice your Italian like many won’t, and the woman is always very pleasant as well.

Buon appetito!  Love, Kiyana & Catie

Here is a video of my time in Florence where a trip to Pino's makes an appearance!  The quality isn't the best because I didn't have my settings on HD but to see Pino's skip to 2:42.