Local Market Experience: Florence Street Food Tour

Exploring the vibrant food markets of Florence is a delightful way to take in the city’s rich culinary heritage. The Florence Street Food Tour offers visitors a chance to discover the authentic flavors that have defined this region for generations. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, the 2.5-hour experience takes you on a mouthwatering journey through the bustling Sant’Ambrogio Market, where you’ll savor an array of artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and iconic street food. But the tour’s true essence lies in the personal connections made with the passionate artisans who are eager to share their culinary traditions and insights. The experience promises to satisfy both the palate and the soul.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Food Tours In Florence.

Key Points

• A 2.5-hour culinary experience that explores the Sant’Ambrogio Market, offers food tastings, wine pairings, and concludes with a gelato finale.
• Engagement with local artisans provides insights into Tuscan culinary traditions, including cheese tasting and cured meats with seasonal vegetables.
• The tour features a variety of savory and sweet offerings, such as coccoli with stracchino cheese and Tuscan prosciutto, and almond dipping biscuits with sweet vinsanto wine.
• Led by a local licensed guide, the tour is suitable for various traveler types and is wheelchair accessible (with advance notice).
• The tour starts at the Loggia del Pesce on Piazza dei Ciompi, a convenient and easily identifiable meeting point.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Overview of the Tour

The Florence Street Food Tour provides participants with a comprehensive culinary experience, immersing them in the vibrant local food scene for a duration of 2.5 hours.

The tour starts at the Fish Market, Loggia del Pesce, and costs $82.36 per person. Travelers can enjoy free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The itinerary highlights include a market visit, food tastings, wine pairings, and a gelato finale. Guests will gain insights from local artisans, taste various cheeses, cured meats, and Tuscan specialties, all while exploring the city’s charming streets.

The tour is led by a local, licensed guide and is suitable for a range of traveler types.

Highlights of the Itinerary

Kicking off the Florence Street Food Tour, participants visit the bustling Sant’Ambrogio Market, where they spend an hour seeing the vibrant local produce and artisan wares.

Over the next 45 minutes, the group enjoys 11 savory tastings and 2 desserts, accompanied by 3 different wine pairings.

After the culinary indulgence, the tour ventures out for 15 minutes of local exploration, before concluding with the essential Italian finale – gelato.

Throughout the experience, participants gain insights from local artisans on olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and traditional Tuscan crostini.

Culinary Experiences Offered

During the Florence Street Food Tour, participants have the opportunity to engage with local artisans and sample a diverse array of Tuscan culinary delights. This includes insights from experts on the production of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and crostini. Visitors also enjoy a cheese tasting at a brother-and-sister-run stall, where they sample three local cheeses paired with truffle honey and Tuscan white wine. Plus, they savor a selection of cured meats and vegetables accompanied by a robust red wine, as well as almond dipping biscuits (cantucci) with sweet vinsanto wine and Coccoli with creamy stracchino cheese and Tuscan prosciutto.

Culinary Experience	Highlights
Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, and Crostini	Insights from local artisans
Cheese Tasting	Three local cheeses, truffle honey, Tuscan white wine
Cured Meats and Vegetables	Paired with robust red wine
Desserts	Almond dipping biscuits (cantucci), sweet vinsanto wine
Street Food	Coccoli with creamy stracchino cheese and Tuscan prosciutto

Insights From Local Artisans

Throughout the Florence Street Food Tour, participants gain invaluable insights from local artisans well-versed in the intricacies of Tuscan culinary traditions.

At a cheese stall run by a brother-and-sister team, guests sample three local cheeses accompanied by truffle honey and Tuscan white wine. They also learn about the painstaking process of producing high-quality olive oil and balsamic vinegar from dedicated producers.

Plus, artisanal bakers showcase the art of crafting crostini, the classic Tuscan bread accompaniment.

These one-on-one interactions with passionate food experts elevate the experience, providing deeper appreciation for the region’s time-honored gastronomic heritage.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Cheese Tasting and Pairings

One highlight of the Florence Street Food Tour is the cheese tasting experience at a family-run cheese stall. Guests have the opportunity to sample three local cheeses, each paired with a unique accompaniment. The cheese selection includes:

Cheese	Pairing
Pecorino Toscano	Truffle honey
Aged Cheddar	Tuscan white wine
Creamy Robiola	Artisanal crostini

The knowledgeable stall owners share insights into the cheesemaking process and the local terroir that imparts distinctive flavors. This tasting provides a authentic taste of Florentine culinary traditions.

Cured Meats and Vegetable Offerings

Guests on the Florence Street Food Tour also enjoy a selection of cured meats and vegetables, which are paired with a robust red wine.

These artisanal offerings include:

• A variety of salami and prosciutto, showcasing the region’s expertise in cured meats
• Freshly grilled and marinated seasonal vegetables, highlighting the bounty of the local produce
• Savory crostini, topped with a variety of toppings to complement the wine
• Gourmet olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars, perfect for dipping and drizzling

This part of the tour allows guests to savor the rich flavors and expert craftsmanship that characterize Tuscan cuisine.

Desserts and Street Food Samples

Typically, the tour concludes with a sweet finale, as guests sample almond dipping biscuits called cantucci, which are enjoyed with a glass of sweet vinsanto wine.

Alongside the cantucci, visitors get to indulge in Florence’s iconic street food, the coccoli. These fluffy fried dough balls are accompanied by creamy stracchino cheese and savory Tuscan prosciutto, providing a delightful contrast of flavors.

The combination of the rich, buttery cantucci and the indulgent coccoli leaves a lasting impression on the palate, perfectly rounding out the culinary journey through Florence’s vibrant food scene.

Tour Details and Accessibility

The tour is led by a local, licensed guide who provides insightful commentary throughout the experience.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, but guests with special needs should notify the tour operator in advance.

This tour isn’t suitable for vegans, and minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The meeting point is under the roof of the Loggia del Pesce on Piazza dei Ciompi, which provides a convenient and easily identifiable starting location.

• Tour is led by a local, licensed guide
• Wheelchair accessible; notify in advance for special needs
• Not suitable for vegans; minors must be accompanied by an adult
• Meeting point at Loggia del Pesce on Piazza dei Ciompi

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Exclusively in English, or Are Other Languages Offered?

The tour offers commentary in English, but other languages may be available upon request. Travelers should inquire about language options when booking to ensure their preferred language is provided.

How Much Walking Is Involved Throughout the Tour?

The tour involves moderate walking, with approximately 15 minutes of sightseeing and 1 hour spent at the Sant’Ambrogio Market. Participants can expect to be on their feet for around 2 hours during the 2.5-hour experience.

Can the Food Tastings Be Customized for Dietary Restrictions?

Yes, the food tastings can be customized for dietary restrictions. The tour operator can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, or other dietary needs if requested in advance. They’ll work to provide suitable alternatives during the tasting experience.

What Is the Maximum Group Size for the Tour?

The tour does not specify a maximum group size. However, it recommends advance notice for special needs, suggesting smaller groups are more suitable to provide a personalized experience to accommodate dietary restrictions and accessibility requirements.

Are There Any Discounts or Package Deals Available?

The tour doesn’t mention any discounts or package deals. However, it’s possible there may be special offers or group rates available, so travelers should check directly with the tour operator for the latest pricing and package options.

Recap

The Florence Street Food Tour offers a captivating local market experience, guiding visitors through the bustling Fish Market and Sant’Ambrogio Market. Guests savor 11 savory tastings, from artisanal cheeses to iconic street food, while engaging with passionate local artisans. The tour culminates in a sweet gelato finale, providing an immersive culinary journey showcasing Florence’s vibrant food culture and traditions.

You can check if your dates are available here: