![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Mercato-Centrale-Florence-1.jpeg\")
In Florence, the many food markets are a way to experience a historic aspect of the city while getting to know locals and grabbing excellent fresh ingredients. <\/span><\/p>\n Another plus to these food markets in Florence? Shopping here usually means you can also save a few euros. Prices are good at the market, and so worth the trip early in the morning.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now, a little local insight: not every market sells local goods, some may include <\/span>bancherelle <\/span><\/i>(food stalls) that are selling imported fruits and veggies\u2014still at a great price. But we\u2019re big advocates of fully experiencing local life, so that\u2019s why we\u2019re sharing with you the best food markets in Florence with a true Tuscan essence!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But first, a few tips for visiting the markets:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So now let\u2019s take a trip to the best food markets in Florence!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ease into the local markets with one that may be more in your comfort zone.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The upstairs of Mercato Centrale<\/a><\/span>\u00a0is more of a food court, where you can shop for wine, cheese, and <\/span>salumi<\/span><\/i>, but also grab ready-made bites to eat. While there are plenty of tastes of Tuscany here to enjoy, they have also brought along a few international chefs who are local favorites\u2014you can even grab some fantastic sushi here!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While that part may not sound very Tuscan, it actually is a local pastime to hang out and grab an <\/span>aperitivo <\/span><\/i><\/a>here<\/span>. At night it becomes quite busy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But what we really want to show you at Mercato Centrale is downstairs\u2014the historical indoor food market that has been here since the mid-1800s.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This busy indoor market is where you\u2019ll find many Florentines in the morning. They\u2019ll be grabbing a <\/span>cafe e cornetto <\/span><\/i>at the bar for breakfast<\/a> before rolling their carts between the stalls grabbing the tastiest in-season vegetables, fresh-baked bread and their favorite <\/span>pecorino<\/span><\/i>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mercato Centrale is more than just a spot to do your shopping\u2014it is truly a community on its own. And the more you visit, the more you\u2019ll start to find your place in this vibrant family.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A few steps out from the crowded center, you can find the Mercato di Sant\u2019Ambrogio (<\/span>Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti<\/span><\/i>) a few streets behind Santa Croce. This location is right at the edge of where the curated tourist Florence and the true Firenze meet, and if you head here you are bound to be surrounded by Tuscan accents complete with their airy c\u2019s.<\/span> (Did you know? In Tuscany we pronounce hard c\u2019s as h\u2019s, for example Coca-Cola = Hoha Hohla).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sant\u2019Ambrogio\u2019s main market is indoors but there are some stalls outdoors. They\u2019ve been a local staple since 1873.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you want to swing by this market, they are open Monday\u2013Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. While turning up early gets you the freshest and best produce, showing up towards the end might get you great deals on what\u2019s left!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Located down the Arno, the Mercato delle Cascine (<\/span>Viale dei Lecci<\/span><\/i>) is located in the large park of the Cascine, a beautiful green space hugging the bank of the river. According to locals, this is one of the largest and one of the most affordable markets in the city\u2014this is where they go to get the best deals.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ll find all the Italian essentials: fruit and vegetables, bread, meats and cheeses, but not only! There is also a section of the market dedicated to household items, clothes, antiques, anything and everything you may need.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This may be one of the city’s best-kept secrets, but there\u2019s only one thing to keep in mind\u2014it is only open Tuesday mornings from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the summer, pack a little cutlery and blanket, head to the front of the market to grab some <\/span>porchetta<\/span><\/i>, bread, or other snacks, and take your goods down the park for a little picnic!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now if you really want to support local, and stick to seasonal so-called \u201ckilometer 0\u201d eating, you\u2019ll want to look out for the range of <\/span>m<\/span><\/i>ercati <\/span><\/i>a<\/span><\/i>gricoli<\/span><\/i>\u2014essentially farmers markets.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These <\/span>mercati agricoli<\/span><\/i> are usually organized by cooperatives or organizations that check the quality of produce and practices for all their farmers. Prices may be higher than other markets, but you can rest assured they were produced ethically and usually offer certified organic and great quality produce.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These markets don\u2019t have a set spot, but tend to move around depending on the day of the week. Here are just a few you can add to your map & calendar:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThings to Know Before Visiting a Food Market in Florence<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/market-vendor.jpeg\")
Must-Visit Food Markets in Florence<\/h2>\n
1. The Classic \u2013 Mercato Centrale<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Mercato-Centrale-Florence-4.jpeg\")
![\"Overhead](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Mercato-Centrale-Florence-5.jpeg\")
2. Where the Locals Go \u2013 Mercato di Sant\u2019Ambrogio<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Crates](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/produce-at-market-2.jpeg\")
3. The Best Deals \u2013 Mercato delle Cascine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Wide](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cascine-park-florence-FCC.jpeg\")
4. Truly Local \u2013 Mercati Agricoli<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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![\"A](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Campagna-Amica-farmers-market.jpeg\")