I' Girone De' Ghiotti — Restaurant in Florence

If you’re in Florence and craving a truly authentic panino experience, I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti is a hidden gem that stands out even among the city’s well-known sandwich spots. While many visitors head straight to the more famous panino institutions nearby, those who take the time to try this place will quickly realize it’s an even better alternative. Be prepared for a bit of a wait during peak hours—its growing reputation means you won’t be the only one in line—but it’s absolutely worth the extra time. Unlike some of the more tourist-heavy options, I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti keeps its focus on quality and freshness. The bread is always warm, with a crisp crust and soft, fluffy inside that sets the tone for the entire sandwich. It feels fresh out of the oven, which makes every bite stand out. Another big plus here is the flexibility: you can choose from different size options, which isn’t something all panino shops in Florence offer. Whether you want a lighter snack or a hearty meal, there’s something to suit your appetite. The fillings are generous without being overwhelming, and the flavors are balanced beautifully. Expect fresh, high-quality ingredients—meats, cheeses, and vegetables—that really showcase the richness of Tuscan produce. Each bite has that satisfying, authentic taste that makes you feel like you’ve discovered a place loved as much by locals as by visitors. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. The space is well-organized, with seating available if you’d rather not eat on the go—a rarity for panino spots in Florence. The staff are not only efficient but genuinely friendly, often singing along to the music while they prepare your food, adding to the charm and relaxed vibe of the place. In short, I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti captures everything you want from a Florentine sandwich shop: authenticity, quality, warmth, and great value. It’s a must-visit in the heart of Florence—whether you’re here for a quick bite between sightseeing or a leisurely lunch that feels a little more local and personal than the crowded...

As we wandered through Florence, we noticed an abundance of sandwich shops. Unfortunately, many of the ones popular on Instagram are more about social media hype than quality. That's why I did extensive research to find a truly outstanding spot, and I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti exceeded all expectations! Despite the long line, a friendly young man from inside offered cold drinks (spritz, beer, water, soda, etc.) to those waiting. You simply placed your drink order with him, he’d return with the refreshingly cold drinks, and then you’d pay. This level of hospitality made the wait pleasant.

Compared to other sandwich shops in Italy, I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti provided much more generous portions. While other places often served mostly bread with a couple of meat slices and some cheese, this shop piled on the meat and was very generous with their sauces.

As someone who meticulously reads reviews before trying a place, I appreciate detailed recommendations. Here are our top picks: The Suicida was the standout favorite among our group of six. It featured tender pork, a spicy relish/sauce that was incredibly delicious, dried tomatoes, and arugula. Every element of this sandwich was perfectly balanced – fat, salt, acid, heat – it deserves a thousand stars!

The Beatric included pecorino cheese, artichoke cream, eggplant, zucchini, and spicy olive oil. This delightful sandwich had subtle, complementary flavors. The Rossa, with Tuscan ham, brie, truffle cream, and arugula, was also good. Although the ham was a bit strong for my taste, it was still an amazing sandwich.

I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti was so fantastic that we ate there two days in a row. This place is...

My family and I found this Florence restaurant by chance walking down the alley and looking for somewhere to eat lunch. We were glad that we did! There was a line outside of the restaurant where customers were holding pink tickets and were waiting for their orders to be completed.

Walking into the restaurant, there were bar stools lined against the wall along with bottles of wine on shelves overhead. The restaurant also offered a variety of drinks from sodas, water and beer. People were heading upstairs for additional seating.

My wife, daughter and I ordered #2 - Lussuriosa (Tuscan Prosciutto (Raw Ham), Balsamic Vinegar Glaze, Walnuts and Red Salad), #4 - Invidiosa (Sbriciolona (Traditional Fresh Salami with Fennel), Gorgonzola Cheese Cream, Zucchini and Arugola (Rocket Salad)) and #5 - Violenta (Spicy Salami, Eggplant (Aubergine), Spicy Oil and Salad). It took about 35 minutes to get our sandwiches (which are reasonably priced) due to everything being freshly prepared from slicing the meats to putting the fresh ingredients together. The huge sandwiches were worth the wait! The toasted bread had a crunch to it and the flavors of the ingredients were outstanding!

We were so impressed with our sandwiches that we dropped by the restaurant the next day for lunch to have the same three sandwiches again!

I' Girone De' Ghiotti is highly recommended...