Gourmet products local specialties and wines Toscane

The island of Elba is famous for its desserts. To taste absolutely: La briaca, le and cantucci, especially if you go to the Capoliveri area, where one of the most famous producers on the island is located. Elba Magna with sweets according to old recipes (great research work was provided), with the will to continue to make tradition. Do not hesitate, this little grocery store does not pay a mine, but it is the only place on the island where you find such a typical choice of products!

Not far from the Sant'Ambrogio market, the ice cream parlour Il Procopio has made a name for itself thanks to its original, even very original, flavours. The specialty of the house? Follie di Procopio: an ice cream with caramelized figs, honey, lemon peel, almonds and hazelnuts. A must try! Or the chocolate, made from three different types of cocoa. High quality raw materials and amazing tastes for this strictly artisanal ice cream maker. The house belongs to the Scudieri family, known for having made their fortune in the pastry business in Florence.

At the corner of Via delle Oche, this glacier is one of the most popular addresses in Florence. On summer evenings, even late, it is not uncommon to queue for 20 minutes before being served. Every month, a special flavor is highlighted. It is generally to be recommended as the company that manages the area puts effort into designing an original and/or very smooth ice cream. The house's crema leaves very quickly, but nougat, pistachio, hazelnut and coffee are all flavours that make the glacier's excellent reputation.

Magic and creamy ice creams in Garibaldi square. The gelateria La Bottega del Gelato, run by the Giaquinto family since 1979, is one of the best in Italy, a true reference for high quality artisanal ice creams. A dozen different flavors, prepared every day with ultra-fresh raw materials. Don't be fooled, this small place is crowded every day, especially in the evening, when the locals mingle with tourists to enjoy a cornetto on the banks of the Arno.

This is Greve's address to remember for all deli lovers. Falorni has built a reputation that is all the more solid because its products come from local farms. Pickling salami (pure pork sausage with paprika and pepper), gota guanciale (bacon cut in the cheek), capocollo (rolled head and snout), salame di cinghiale (wild boar sausage)... The shop is worth a visit. Don't miss the cheese cellar, a vestige of the Great War.

A pretty little fashionable grocery store that can easily be spotted by its magnificent bougainvillea decorating the entrance. Then other delicacies will attract your attention: salami, porchetta, pecorino, caciocavallo,cantucci... Exquisite paninis, made to order, and delicatessen cheese boards to enjoy on site or to take away. The atypical pattern and the tasty paninis make this address a sought-after place, the wait can be long in the middle of the summer season. A place of atmosphere, simple, but which is a hit!

An excellent address for stocking up on provisions before setting off again, and for eating a piece of Tuscany when you get home! Established in 1934 in the heart of Florence, this little store will be of great service (cold meats, pasta, oils, cheeses, wines, terrines and even kitchen utensils) to those looking for typical Tuscan products, especially as the prices charged are quite attractive. There's no doubt about it: this is the world of Tuscan gastronomy, where all the senses are awakened.

Unmissable on the piazza della Cisterna power station! But why are there so many people in front of this little place? Elected world champion several years in a row, Sergio Dondoli's gelateria is famous and people wait patiently in line to buy their cornet or coppetta. Tastes range from classic to very original: sorbet with vernaccia (the local white wine), crema di Santa Fina (saffron cream and pine nuts), rosemary baby (raspberry and rosemary), champelmo (pink grapefruit and prosecco), gorgonzola nut... A must have!

Both a traditional restaurant and a wine shop, Fuori Porta is one of the best places to discover the world of Tuscan wine. Located in the San Niccolò district, at the foot of the road leading to piazza Michelangelo, this boutique, in business since 1987, boasts a pleasant terrace and an excellent wine list of over 300 wines, with an annual rotation of almost 200 labels! And it's open until 11 p.m.! An inviting place to discover before climbing up to Florence's famous belvedere.

Dating back to 1898, it's an institution and a meeting place for all gourmets. Just take a look and you'll see that it's the place to go for gourmet treats: cakes, confectionery, ice cream, sandwiches and small dishes, each as tempting as the next. So it's easy to grab a bite to eat. Terrace on the borgo Stretto, site of the traditional passeggiata , where you have to show up to enjoy your pastries accompanied by an espresso stretto!

Not far from the Pitti palace, in the San Spirito district, at the bend of the pleasant little piazza della Passera, often several connoisseurs and curious await their turn in front of this famous glacier. Just the time to choose your perfume: hazelnut, watermelon, apricot, matcha tea, milk flower.... And to discover the creaminess of these artisanal ice creams, carefully prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients by Mrs Cinzia Otri. Don't trust the tiny front of the Gelateria della Passera, their ice creams and sorbets are literally delicious!

Vivoli gelateria is no longer presented. One of the local people's favourite addresses when it comes to ice cream during the traditional passeggiata, this family business has been in operation since 1930! Not a lot of fuss, but a lot of real ice cream. The products are fresh and selected with great care. It is not here that you get the most zany flavours, but the flavours offered are exquisite. Smooth ice cream as you wish, you will have understood that. Beware of potential disappointments, Vivoli often closes for a few days in August!

Creamy homemade ice creams, produced on the spot, with high quality raw materials - which makes the difference between an excellent gelateria and another. The ice is perfect, you won't believe it! Gelateria dei Neri also offers artisanal and delicious granite, produced from fresh fruit (lemon, for example, is delicious). The ice cubes are so finely crushed that they look like cream. Here, the granita is presented in a bin, not in a machine that runs all day long. A must have!

Without doubt one of the best addresses in the Tuscan capital to enjoy - or rediscover - an authentic Italian ice cream. Since its opening in 2008, the reputation of Gelateria Santa Trinita has been based in particular on the care taken with raw materials such as fresh fruit, Piedmont PGI hazelnuts (also known as "Tonda Gentile delle Langhe"), orgreen pistachios from Bronte. And to keep things simple, this famous glacier is located in the historic Frescobaldi Palace, opposite the Santa Trinita Bridge.

Tuscany has probably found its culinary ambassador with Eataly, from extra virgin olive oils to Chianina meats, breads, fresh pasta and local vegetables to the best drinks. Different thematic tables are available to enjoy yourself and discover the establishment. The pizzeria is a great success! Early risers meet at the bar-panetteria, which opens at 7:30 am for a generous breakfast with cappuccino, brioches and hot breads from the wood oven.

Open-air market in the beautiful Cascine Park, west of the Santa Maria Novella district. It is undoubtedly the largest market in the city and probably one of the cheapest: fruit, clothing, food in general, household appliances, antiques, shoes... And after shopping, don't forget to take a walk in the park. Or before that, everything will depend on the products acquired... Ideal for doing good business, but also for immersing yourself in the local culture and atmosphere.

Make no mistake about it, Sant'Ambrogio is not a tourist market. Off-centre in relation to the main Florentine monuments and museums, it mainly attracts locals who have simply wanted to shop there since 1873. Partly covered, the market is filled with stalls offering fresh fruit and vegetables, but also clothes, flowers or household appliances. The covered market also houses small butcher shops or fish shops. Be aware that it is possible to eat there at a lower cost.

Don't worry, even if Marcella can scare some with her bossy look, this is one of the best pastries in the city. You have been warned! The window filled with cookies, pastries, pastries, cantuccini and other homemade cakes invites you to indulge in gourmet delicacies and the prices are competitive. It is also possible to make a salty stopover, with a sandwich, panini or focaccia, and even to have a glass of wine.