Welcome to Florence, the city of art, culture and divine culinary traditions! Make the most of your stay here: check out our brief guide to the best food markets in Florence.

If you are living in Florence for your study abroad experience, your internship or you’re just travelling here, one of the things you can’t miss at all is a stroll around the culinary markets.
In the Renaissance city you will find any imaginable quality product: fresh seasonal vegetables, oils, wines, cheeses, cured meats and so many other delicacies. 

You can easily try all these amazing products in the several restaurants and trattorie all around the city, but an interesting and different activity could be exploring the best food markets in Florence. We promise you won’t regret it!

If you can’t wait to experience this culinary journey, keep reading and discover the most famous food markets in Florence.

A stroll around the best food markets in Florence, Tuscany 

Is there anything better than exploring the best food markets in Florence to really dip into the authentic local culture, its traditional colors, smells and tastes? We don’t think so!

Before the modernization process that the city went through during the 19th century, the original food market was located in Piazza della Repubblica. This is a wide, quadrangular square surrounded by restaurants, cafes and enlivened by street artists and musicians.

There is no market here anymore, but you can find so many others in other spots around Florence, such as: the Central Market, San Lorenzo square or the Sant’Ambrogio market

Mercato centrale 

You can begin your tour of the best food markets in Florence with Mercato Centrale Firenze (located between piazza del Mercato Centrale and via dell’Ariento). This is the oldest and largest food market in the city, designed in the late 19th century by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, whose mind was also behind the magnificent Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. The amazing iron and glass structure hosts two floors, with different atmospheres, styles and products.

In the ground floor you will experience the historical vibes, thanks to the several stalls, piled with local cheeses, meats and fresh fish. These stalls have been owned by  the same families for over three or four generations.
You also have to know that here, many of the best chefs in town pick the fresh products they use for their gourmet menus.

On the first floor, made of steel and glass, you will find a modern atmosphere: here there are vegetable and flower stalls, restaurants, pizzeria, a bookshop and even a spot for cooking workshops!
Mercato Centrale is not one of the cheapest markets in Florence, but it sure is worth a visit.

Le Cascine

Tuesday mornings are for Le Cascine market. This is a lovely one-km stretched open air market, located on the north bank of the Arno river, in Parco delle Cascine. 

This place, perfect for a relaxing walk or a picnic, is home to a quite various market: here you will find fresh products, street food, but also clothing and household items.

It’s the perfect spot for down-to-earth affairs, especially for vintage clothes or furniture, always with a high quality (especially for the food sale).

It’s open every Tuesday morning, until 2pm and you can walk there, go by bike or take the tram line 1.

You can check out the opening hours and the locations of all the best food markets in Florence on the City Hall official website.

Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio

Located in Piazza Ghiberti, in the heart of Florence, only a few streets away from Piazza Santa Croce, the Sant’Ambrogio market takes place all week long (until Saturday) until 2pm.

This covered market, designed by Giuseppe Mengoni - just like Mercato Centrale - is one of the favourite ones among Florentine people. Here you will be able to find the finest quality products: fish, cheeses, meats, fruit and vegetables, at a very reasonable price.

The atmosphere is truly unique: the sellers have been working at these stalls for decades, they know the local consumers and call each other with the traditional shouts.

In the stalls surrounding the market building there also are other kinds of goods on sale: vintage clothing, household items and more.

Il Mercatale

Every first Saturday of the month, from 8 am to 8 pm you can’t miss the famous Mercatale, located right in Piazza della Repubblica, exactly where the original food market in Florence was. This monthly event has such a great historical significance.

Mercatale hosts several organic producers from the surrounding areas of Florence; they come to the city to sell their finest products, among the best in Italy: olive oil, wines, honey, cheeses, handmade pasta and herbs.

If you are a foodie, you really can’t miss this place...one of the best food markets in Florence! 

La Fireucola

Want to hear the perfect plan for your Sunday morning?

Wake up early, have a delicious croissant and cappuccino breakfast in the city centre and a stroll around Piazza Santo Spirito, where La Fierucola market is located.

From 9am to 7pm the local vendors showcase their goodies (mostly organic) and specialties: fresh bread, fruit juices, homemade honey and much more.

One of the most interesting things to do while visiting a market like these ones, is chatting with the local vendors, discovering more about the culture and their traditions. You will fall in love even more with Florence!

If reading this makes you think about moving to the capital city of Tuscany, do not hesitate to plan your Italian adventure with us!