Exploring the Food Scene at Mercato Centrale Florence Restaurants

The colorful neighborhood of San Lorenzo has always been an attraction for the visitors of Florence.  Its open-air market packed with stalls selling crafts, leather goods and souvenir T-shirts is always fun to browse. But more attractive than the outdoor market of San Lorenzo is the bustling indoor market, just adjacent to the souvenir shops. If you want excellent Italian food at very reasonable prices, you should try the Mercato Centrale Restaurants in Florence. Visiting this market is one of the most fun things to do in Florence. From pickled olives, the freshest fruits and veggies, to cheeses and breads, oils, wines and meats you can find everything.

History of the Upper Floor of Mercato Centrale

The two story cast-iron building dating back to 1874 wasn’t always what it is today. While the ground floor has always been home to butchers and fruits and vegetables vendors, the place where the Florentines bought their food, the upper floor laid empty and abandoned for very many years.

In 2014 restaurateur Umberto Montano launched a project that would give Florence back one of its historic locations: the first floor of the Mercato Centrale. The major makeover turned the area of San Lorenzo into a very attractive place for tourists. The first floor has been completely redesigned and turned into an unmissable food destination. If you haven’t visited the city since April 2014, you most likely missed the great restaurants at Mercato Centrale in Florence. This is a great place to enjoy the local Italian cuisine in a very casual atmosphere.

The large floor has been broken down into section with defined cooking areas built for the region’s top cooks and producers. The central area is occupied by a bar and coffee machines and is adorned with a colorful and kicky replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David. The seating area is huge, with over 500 seats available where you can enjoy your food. The atmosphere is very relaxed.

Touring the Mercato Centrale Florence Restaurants

It’s very easy to wander around and take your pick from the many food stands that abound with creamy ravioli, freshly baked lasagna, Veal á la Florentine, southern style pizza and hand rolled gnocchi. The food options are absolutely amazing. From fresh fish and meats, to bread and patisserie products, cheeses, and gelato, you can immerse yourself in food here.

The restaurants at Mercato Centrale in Florence are the ideal stop for families with children, where everyone will find something to like. Or for solo travelers who wants to mingle with people. The place is a favorite with the locals, who come to mix and mingle in their lunch break or after work.

The Cooking School at Mercato Centrale

One of the attractions at Mercato Centrale is the cooking school, Cucina Lorenzo de’ Medici. The glass walls surrounding the cooking school allow you to peak inside. The school has sixteen individual workstations, all equipped with top of the line appliances and kitchen utensils. Electronic tablets allow participants to follow the instructions of chefs. Each class runs approximately 90 minutes. The classes cost is between €50-€70 and it includes all the ingredients used in the class.

How to Get to Mercato Centrale in Florence

Mercato Centrale is located in the San Lorenzo quarter. To reach the market is just 5 minutes on foot from the S. Maria Novella train station, and 10 minutes from the Duomo and Piazza San Marco. 

Since its makeover, the Restaurants at Mercado Centrale in Florence became more than just an eating place. It became a cultural experience, an arcade of cuisine. A place of concurrence, where people of different backgrounds can find something in common. Mercato Centrale Restaurants in Florence are a total and compete foodies paradise, so don’t miss it if you are ever in Florence!

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