Picture this: you’re hungry but don’t feel like sitting down for a full meal, you had a huge dinner at your favorite trattoria yesterday, and right now you just want something quick and easy. You’ve heard about that one sandwich shop with a jaw-dropping number of reviews online, but couldn’t be bothered with standing in such a long queue, and you’ve got a sense that, by now, it’s probably just hype anyway (you're correct!). You’ve also heard about the traditional lampredottai and trippai serving all sorts of cow offal panini, but don’t feel quite ready to stomach that. But have you ever heard about Semel? Semel is a tiny sandwich shop across the street from the Sant’Ambrogio food market, just big enough to fit a couple of stools, two clients at a time (three when it’s packed!), a small counter filled with all sorts of goodies, soft-spoken Niccolò assembling panini, plus Marco and his big personality, taking your orders and ordering you a little glass of red wine. A “semel” is a soft, round bun with a delightfully crunchy crust, a traditional Tuscan bread that was almost on the verge of being forgotten. The fillings are what make these panini so special. You’ll never find the repetitive “salumi + cheese” combo here, but instead their amazing, homey stews and exquisitely paired local artisanal products. The menu changes daily based on availability and on Marco’s mood, but some of my favorites are: - SNAILS 🐌; - mussel and mushroom stew; - roast pork, tomato and hot sauce; - anchovies with raw fennel and blood orange; - donkey stew (yes, I said “donkey”) on Thursdays and Fridays; - Canapone: sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, nutmeg and bacon that turns crispy and curly as Niccolò blasts it with his culinary butane torch with one hand, as he holds back his tie with the other. Had I mentioned that they wear a shirt and tie and a pretty silver pin? Pro-tip: grab a stool as soon as you find a free one and eat your panino in a corner, in silence, as you enjoy the flow of human beings coming and going through Semel’s door. Most of Semel’s clientele is locals, from bloggers to lawyers to people that work the stalls at the market, so it’s only open 11:30am-2:30pm, Monday-Saturday. Closed for Summer break July and August.

Opened in an old sewing shop (they still have the original furniture!), Sandwichic sources high quality ingredients, produces (and sells) its own sauces, and offers delicious, local, artisanal beverages. One of the reasons why I love this place is that, in addition to regular schiacciata, and 5 grains schiacciata, they also use traditional unsalted Tuscan bread! Some favorite panini: - gorgonzola blue cheese, onion spread, mushrooms and pancetta [similar to bacon]; - taleggio cheese, truffle spread, mortadella with pistachios and sun-dried tomatoes; - taleggio cheese, eggplant spread, capocollo and fresh lettuce; - spicy salame, stracchino cheese, bell pepper spread and sun-dried tomatoes.

In a little alley, right around the corner from Dante Alighieri's house and next door to Dante’s Church. Lovely schiacciata combinations like: - capocollo, stracchino cheese, and walnuts; - sopressata, ricotta, and orange; - zucchini, scamorza cheese, and pistachio sauce. One of the peculiarities of their schiacciate is that they're not overly salted. Also available: tripe, lampredotto, boiled tongue, boiled beef, and “coccoli” (fried dough), also stuffed with sausage, pecorino cheese or truffle. No indoor seating, only a few stools outside.

Located in between the Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio, Alessandro Frassica's panini shop won second place as one of the best panini in Italy in 2021. It was the only Florentine establishment included on said list. One of 'Ino's peculiarities is the very high quality of its sought-after product selection - which also makes it one of the pricier options in town (9-11€). They also sell a lovely selection of quality Italian foods, perfect for culinary souvenirs, and Frassica's cookbooks. Also available: cantucci [biscotti] for dessert. Indoor seating and outdoor perching available.

Since 1875. Located right in Florence's city center, just beneath the Church of Orsanmichele. Panini with rosetta bread or schiacciata. This is one of the few places that regularly serves raw sausage panini, one of my favorites! Take note that there might be a line. Check out the video below for more.

In the San Lorenzo neighborhood, right by the "Mercato Centrale" [Central Market]. Bondi is a classic Florentine establishment, unchanged over 40 years of business. One of the things that make it different and one of the reasons why I go here is the unique bread they make and use: triangles cut from a thick, pillowy round disk made from the same dough they use for their pizzas (margherita, mushroom, or sausage). Another reason why they're unique is that you won't find any cured meat + cheese combos, but a LOT of squashed mozzarella and unusual fillings, such as: - pesto, potato and cheese cream; - radicchio and mozzarella; - eggplant and prosciutto; - herring and tomatoes; - roast zucchini; and many more. Also available: apple cake for dessert! Take note: do not be surprised by the two frowns behind the counter, that's how they are most of the time!

Different from most other panini shops because it's open for dinner too! In addition to regular schiacciate, they also serve olive-oil panini with sliced and grilled cow udder, lampredotto with salsa verde, or sausage and stracchino cheese. Fabulous location since it sits right below the church of Santo Spirito, in one of Florence's hippest neighborhoods [Oltrarno], so after your panino you can head out to any (or all) of some of my favorite cocktail bars: Floreal, Love Craft and MAD.

Founded and run by a lively group of young Florentines about 9 years ago, and now available in three different locations: on via Verdi, via Gioberti and via Pisana. I love this place for the quality of the ingredients, its fun, laid-back atmosphere, the fast service and the local crowd. Go here for a glass of wine with a "schiacciata", a typically Tuscan salty flatbread (similar to focaccia), stuffed with cured meats, cheese, veggies, and spreads in any of the infinite combinations they offer. Also available: cheese and meat boards, and salads.

Founded and run by a lively group of young Florentines about 9 years ago, and now available in three different locations: on via Verdi, via Gioberti and via Pisana. I love this place for the quality of the ingredients, its fun, laid-back atmosphere, the fast service and the local crowd. Go here for a glass of wine with a "schiacciata", a typically Tuscan salty flatbread (similar to focaccia), stuffed with cured meats, cheese, veggies, and spreads in any of the infinite combinations they offer. Also available: cheese and meat boards, and salads.

Founded and run by a lively group of young Florentines about 9 years ago, and now available in three different locations: on via Verdi, via Gioberti and via Pisana. I love this place for the quality of the ingredients, its fun, laid-back atmosphere, the fast service and the local crowd. Go here for a glass of wine with a "schiacciata", a typically Tuscan salty flatbread (similar to focaccia), stuffed with cured meats, cheese, veggies, and spreads in any of the infinite combinations they offer. Also available: cheese and meat boards, and salads.

One of the reasons why Schiacciamatta is unique is that they produce their own not-too-salty schiacciata in the in-house oven. Since the owner lived in Livorno for a long time, this is one of the rare places in Florence where you can find "torta di ceci" [a flat, savory, chickpea flour cake], which makes for a nice gluten-free option. They also have vegan options.

What makes Il Cernacchio different compared to many other "paninari" ["panini shops"] is that, other than making a what seems like a thousand different kinds of more schiacciate "ripiene" ["filled"], they also make panini with more complex dishes like "peposo" [black pepper and red wine beef stew, tripe, typical Florentine "lampredotto" [boiled cow's stomach], and meatballs. They also have a deli counter where you can purchase pasta or typical Tuscan bread soups like "pappa al pomodoro", "ribollita" or "panzanella". They usually also have a simple cake in case you feel like something sweet after your panino. You can sit inside, outside or around the corner in piazza San Firenze.

Located in famed Via De' Neri, Salumificio Anzuini is the last still standing real butcher shop in this road, producing its own cured meats in-house since 1929. Visit the shop to purchase fresh meat or for one of their delicious panini with schiacciata or Tuscan bread. If you don't want a panino you can have sausage or beef or free-range chicken. Indoor and outdoor seating available.