Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Florence's gelato tradition runs through fior di latte, stracciatella, pistacchio, and the unique buontalenti (vanilla-yolk custard cream invented at the Medici court in 1559).
Gelato was invented at the Medici court in 1559 when Florentine architect Bernardo Buontalenti commissioned a frozen custard for a banquet honouring a visiting Spanish delegation. The buontalenti flavour, made with egg yolks, cream, and a hint of bergamot, is the original Florentine gelato. Modern artisan gelaterias (Vivoli, Perché No, Gelateria della Passera) maintain the 19th-century tradition with shop-made daily small batches.
4 editor picks for Gelato Fiorentino in Florence, ranked by editorial score. All Florence signature dishes · Gelato Fiorentino across every city.
Mercato Centrale in Florence's San Lorenzo is the city's main covered market in a 1874 cast-iron Giuseppe Mengoni building, with butcher and produce stalls.
OrderLampredotto panino from Da Nerbone, fresh pici from il Tartufo, salumi from Cocco.
TipGround floor closes 14:00 Mon-Sat (closed Sunday). The first-floor food hall is open daily until midnight.
Mercato Sant'Ambrogio in Florence's eastern quarter is the second covered market, a 1873 cast-iron building, with produce stalls, the Trattoria da Rocco.
OrderTuscan olive oil from Frantoio Buonamici, lunch at Da Rocco, vegetables from the contadini stalls.
TipMon-Sat 07:00-14:00; closed Sunday. Da Rocco's lunch counter inside opens at 12:00.
I Due Fratellini in Florence's Via dei Cimatori has run the mini-panino counter since 1875, a hole-in-the-wall format with 28 panini varieties for €4.
OrderWild boar salami panino, the soppressata-and-pecorino, a glass of house Chianti.
TipCash only; standing room on the kerb. Closed Sunday. The shelves outside hold your wine glass.
Fierucola di Santo Spirito in Florence is the monthly Tuscan-small-producer market on Piazza Santo Spirito, every third Sunday since 1984, with 70 stalls.
OrderPecorino di Pienza from a contadino, mountain honey, organic Tuscan olive oil.
TipThird Sunday only, 09:00-19:00. The piazza fills out from 10:00; Tuscan producers cluster on the south side.
Gelato Fiorentino makes more sense with someone from Florence explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
2.5 hours
Make authentic Italian pizza and artisan gelato with a local chef in Florence’s Oltrarno district, then enjoy your creation with Tuscan wine. Learn to cook like a true...
Guided tour · 4 hours
Eat and drink your way through Florence on a guided tour of hidden trattorias, tasting cheeses, pasta, gelato, truffles, and wine, even sipping through a historic wine window.
2h 30m
Learn how to prepare pizza and gelato from scratch in Florence, using fresh ingredients under the guidance of a local chef. After cooking, enjoy your creations with a ...