Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo
Florence
Markets
The Mercato Centrale of San Lorenzo(the Central Market) is a great place to shop if you want to bring a deli souvenir back home. You can find a large variety of pasta, cheese, cold cuts and whatever sauces of Italian tradition - both fresh or preserved. You may want to go there and wander around just for the great shots you may have the chance to take, shop for food specialties and try some on the spots - there are a few tiny stand and seated traditional food joints where you can try the 'lampredotto' sandwich(taste it first and then ask for what it is!), tripe, porchetta sandwich (roasted pig) or ribollita (vegetables and bread soup)among a large variety of sandwiches that they can prepare on your own request. So, the best time to go there for tourists is probably right before lunch time, or better before the Italians reach it or it will be difficult to find a seat as they will be there 1pm sharp!, let's say midday would be perfect.
The Market opens at 7:00am and closes at 2.00pm.