Vinaino Fiorenza — Restaurant in Florence

Food 4 Value 5 Service 4 Décor 4

Pros: Super tasty panini with fresh ingredients Convenient location by Palazzo Vecchio You get to watch them make the panini in front of you

Cons: long wait Only about 5 seats inside; cramped space

After climbing the tower at Palazzio vecchio, my family and I had worked up an appetite. There was a line of about 10 people in front of us who had not ordered their paninis yet and about 10 people already waiting for their panini. It took about 10-15 minutes for the queue to finish and for us get to the cash register to order our panini. They are all 5 euros each which is a steal considering how large these paninis are. Luckily there were 3 people leaving as we were paying so we grabbed their seats which were right in front of the counter and we were able to watch them efficiently make the paninis in front of us. All of the ingredients are SUPER fresh. There was 1 person assembling the paninis and 1 person expediting and dealing with front of the house. It's a small space that won't allow for more than 2 people working though, so there's only so much they can do. Ergo, long wait times. We had to wait about 20 minutes for our paninis. The entire time the team of 2 were working extremely hard on the backlog of paninis, so it was not for lack of effort. Rather, just lack of space and lack of panini grills! The bread was a bit too crunchy for my liking but the ingredients inside were fantastic. Would I come back here again? Only if the wait time is less than 10 minutes total. Panini Toscani is much better and worth a 30...

A Late-Night Tuscan Gem at Vinaino Fiorenza After a long evening exploring Florence, I stumbled upon Vinaino Fiorenza in the San Giovanni area, a perfect spot for a late-night bite at 11:55 pm. This cozy, unassuming restaurant delivers a solid dining experience, especially for those craving authentic Tuscan flavors when most places have closed their kitchens. The star of the meal was the Tuscan focaccia, perfectly baked with a crispy exterior and soft, flavorful interior. It served as an ideal base for the exceptional charcuterie choice, featuring high-quality cured meats like finocchiona and prosciutto, which were bursting with rich, savory flavors. The combination was elevated by an outstanding selection of Tuscan wines—each sip perfectly complemented the hearty, rustic dishes. Vinaino Fiorenza is a must-visit for anyone seeking delicious, high-quality food late at night in Florence. Its combination of excellent focaccia, top-notch charcuterie, and superb Tuscan wine makes it a standout choice for locals and travelers alike. I’ll definitely return on my next visit...

I’ve been to Florence countless times, but always with a purpose: appointments to make, errands to run, things to solve. The kind of visits where you pass by beauty without really seeing it.

But today was different. For the first time, I let myself wander. No agenda, no rush. Just the desire to feel the city the way a first-time traveler might, curious, open, present.

One of the most classic experiences? Trying the famous schiacciata at Vinaio Fiorenza, just steps from the Piazza della Signoria. I chose the vegetarian one, and honestly? It had one of the best eggplants I’ve ever tasted. Smoky, tender, full of flavor.

The place is tiny, almost hidden, but when we arrived it was calm and empty.

We found stools at the little counter inside, and it felt like a secret break from the busy city outside.

The service was quick and kind, and the soundtrack playing had that soft italian summer feel.

It was simple, delicious, and unexpectedly moving. Because sometimes, tasting a city means slowing down enough to let it...