Tuscany Street Food & Local Markets: What to Eat and Where to Find It
Timeless Wanderers: Posted February 13, 2026
Why Tuscany Street Food Is a Must-Try for Food Lovers
Food in Tuscany is often described as simple, but that simplicity is exactly what makes it unforgettable.
And for us, some of the best food experiences haven’t been in formal restaurants — they’ve been standing at a market stall, leaning against a stone wall with a warm schiacciata in hand, or sharing fried seafood by the coast.
Tuscan street food captures the heart of the region: seasonal ingredients, traditions, and recipes that haven’t changed for generations.
You won’t find complicated techniques or fancy presentation. Instead, it’s about bread, beans, cured meats, olive oil, and dishes locals have eaten for centuries.
We visit Tuscany markets regularly, and each time we’re reminded that to truly understand the region, you need to eat like a local — at markets, bakeries, and small street vendors.
This guide explains what to try, when to eat it, and where to find the best bites.
Why Street Food & Markets Are Essential in Tuscany
Street food in Tuscany is more than quick bites; it’s a look into daily life and tradition.
Markets are the heart of towns and cities, showcasing fresh produce, breads, cheeses, cured meats, and pastries.
Many of these foods are regional specialties, passed down for generations.
Eating on the street allows travelers to:
Taste authentic Tuscan flavors
Discover regional specialties unique to each town
Engage with local vendors and hear stories behind the food
Markets are also social places, where locals gather, share news, and pick up daily necessities.
Sampling food here is an immersive cultural experience, combining history, taste, and the lively atmosphere of Tuscan towns.
Regional Street Food Highlights
Florence: Lampredotto & Schiacciata
Florence is the birthplace of lampredotto, a sandwich made from slow-cooked cow’s stomach, simmered with herbs and served on a soft bun.
Topped with salsa verde or spicy sauce, it’s a flavorful, rustic favorite for locals and adventurous travelers.
Schiacciata, a flatbread often filled with prosciutto, cheese, or seasonal vegetables, is another Florentine staple.
Crispy on the outside and soft inside, it’s perfect for walking around the historic city center.
Other Florence street foods include tripe sandwiches, panini with local salumi, and pizza slices from artisan stalls.
Lucca & Garfagnana: Schiacciata & Farro Snacks
In Lucca, schiacciata reigns supreme, often sprinkled with olive oil and salt or stuffed with cheese and cured meats.
The surrounding Garfagnana region adds farro-based snacks, highlighting ancient grains that have sustained locals for centuries.
Street foods here often reflect traditions, including seasonal vegetable tarts, focaccia, and local cheeses.
Markets in Lucca are ideal for tasting these fresh, rustic offerings, and many vendors also sell small pastries and sweets inspired by chestnuts, almonds, and honey.
Siena & Val d’Orcia: Pici, Panforte & Pecorino
Siena’s historic streets feature pici pasta served in portable portions, alongside panforte slices, a spiced almond and fruit cake dating back to medieval times.
Val d’Orcia offers pecorino cheese and cured meats that are perfect for market tastings.
Street food here is hearty yet portable, ideal for walking through piazzas, exploring cobbled streets, and enjoying the medieval atmosphere.
Seasonal fruits, roasted nuts, and pastries also make frequent appearances in local stalls.
Coastal Tuscany: Grilled Fish & Seafood Sandwiches
Along the coast, from Livorno to Porto Santo Stefano, the focus shifts to fresh seafood.
Fish markets sell sea bream, sea bass, squid, shellfish, and crustaceans, often grilled and served in sandwiches or salads.
Try the panino di pesce (fish sandwich) at a seaside stall or sample grilled shrimp and calamari at a market vendor.
Coastal towns also serve light, seasonal dishes, enhanced with olive oil, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon — reflecting the Mediterranean influence.
Must-Visit Markets in Tuscany
Florence – Mercato Centrale
A two-story market in Florence, Mercato Centrale is a hub for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, pastries, and street food stalls.
Upstairs, visitors can enjoy ready-to-eat dishes from across Italy, including pizza, pasta, and seafood.
It’s perfect for tasting multiple regional specialties in one location.
Lucca – Piazza San Michele Market
This weekly market features fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads, and schiacciata stalls.
The lively atmosphere makes it ideal for sampling local street food while exploring Lucca’s historic center.
Siena – Piazza del Mercato
Siena’s market offers pici pasta, panforte, pecorino cheese, and cured meats, along with seasonal produce.
It’s a perfect spot for a picnic or tasting session while wandering the city’s medieval streets.
Coastal Tuscany – Livorno & Porto Santo Stefano
The region’s fish markets offer freshly caught seafood, shellfish, and crustaceans.
Many vendors prepare grilled seafood sandwiches or sell raw seafood for home cooking.
These markets provide a front-row seat to daily coastal life.
Seasonal Eating in Tuscan Street Food
Tuscany’s street food reflects seasonal ingredients:
Spring: Asparagus, fava beans, and fresh greens in schiacciata or salads
Summer: Tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh fruit gelato
Autumn: Mushrooms, chestnuts, pumpkin-based pastries, and roasted nuts
Winter: Tripe, roasted meats, hearty sandwiches, and winter vegetables
Seasonality ensures freshness, flavor, and authenticity at every market and street stall.
Food Tours of Tuscany
Cultural Insights & Street Food History
Street food in Tuscany is rooted in history and tradition.
Centuries ago, vendors sold portable, hearty foods for workers in fields, markets, and port towns.
Recipes were designed to highlight local ingredients while being easy to carry.
Today, this tradition continues with foods like lampredotto sandwiches in Florence, panini di porchetta across towns, and grilled seafood along the coast.
Seasonal festivals and food fairs celebrate local produce, linking modern street food to medieval culinary customs.
Tips for Eating Like a Local
Go early: Markets are freshest in the morning
Try regional specialties: Each town offers unique street foods
Sample small portions: Markets are perfect for tasting multiple items
Engage with vendors: Learn about ingredients and preparation
Bring cash: Many stalls don’t accept cards
Pace yourself: Eating slowly allows you to enjoy the food and atmosphere
Must-Try Street Foods by Region
Florence
Lampredotto sandwich
Schiacciata with prosciutto
Tripe sandwich
Lucca & Garfagnana
Schiacciata with cheese or vegetables
Farro-based snacks
Chestnut pastries
Siena & Val d’Orcia
Pici pasta street servings
Panforte slices
Pecorino cheese tastings
Coastal Tuscany
Grilled fish sandwiches
Seafood skewers
Panino di pesce
Frequently Asked Questions About Tuscan Street Food & Markets
1. What is Tuscan street food famous for?
Tuscan street food is famous for lampredotto sandwiches, schiacciata flatbreads, porchetta, fresh cheeses, seasonal fruits, and artisanal gelato. Each town offers regional specialties that reflect local traditions and ingredients.
2. Where are the best markets in Tuscany?
Some of the top markets include:
Florence – Mercato Centrale for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and street food stalls
Lucca – Piazza San Michele for schiacciata and local produce
Siena – Piazza del Mercato for pici pasta, panforte, and pecorino
Coastal towns like Livorno & Porto Santo Stefano for seafood and fresh fish
3. What is lampredotto?
Lampredotto is a traditional Florentine street food sandwich made from slow-cooked cow’s stomach. Typically served on a soft bun with green sauce (salsa verde) or spicy sauce, it’s a must-try for adventurous travelers.
4. What is schiacciata?
Schiacciata is a Tuscan flatbread, crispy on the outside and soft inside, often filled with prosciutto, cheese, or seasonal vegetables. It’s popular in Lucca, Florence, and nearby towns, perfect for a quick snack or lunch on the go.
5. When is the best time to visit Tuscan markets?
Markets are freshest in the morning, usually opening around 7–8 a.m. Visiting early ensures you can sample fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses, cured meats, and street foods before they sell out.
6. How can I eat like a local in Tuscany?
To eat like a local:
Sample regional street foods
Visit local markets
Try small portions of multiple items
Engage with vendors to learn about ingredients and recipes
Bring cash, as many stalls don’t take cards
Enjoy your food slowly while exploring the town
Cooking Classes in Tuscany
Do You Need Travel Insurance for Tuscany?
(Short Answer: Yes — It’s Still a Smart Idea)
Travel insurance isn’t legally required to visit Tuscany, but it’s one of the smartest things you can have when travelling in Italy.
Even in a relaxed destination like Tuscany, things can go wrong — from delayed flights and lost luggage to medical issues, rental car damage, or unexpected trip cancellations.
And while Italy has excellent healthcare, medical treatment for visitors can still be costly without proper coverage.
As long-term travellers living in Italy, we’ve found SafetyWing to be a practical option for trips around Europe, offering coverage for medical care, travel delays, and lost belongings without complicated fine print.
SafetyWing
(Best for Long-Term Travel & Affordability)
We personally use SafetyWing, and have since 2019.
It’s perfect for travelling, spending multiple weeks or a whole year abroad.
You can get a Quote here.
It’s the kind of insurance you hope you never need—but you’ll be very glad you have if something unexpected happens.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Tuscany through street food and markets is a delicious, immersive experience.
From Florence’s lampredotto to Lucca’s schiacciata, Siena’s panforte, and Livorno’s grilled seafood, each bite tells a story of regional identity, tradition, and seasonality.
Markets bring the freshest ingredients, while street stalls allow travelers to eat like a local, interact with vendors, and explore towns on foot.
By following this guide, you’ll discover the true flavors of Tuscany, far beyond wine and fine dining, and experience a culinary adventure that combines taste, culture, and history in every bite.
PLAN YOUR TUSCANY ADVENTURE
These are our favorite companies we use when planning a trip, they consistently have the best prices, great customer service, and overall, are better than their competitors.
BOOK YOUR FLIGHT – Going is a great search engine if you are flexible about your travel destination and dates. Sign up for their newsletter and get the latest deals on destinations around the world. GOING is our new go to.
CAR RENTAL – We recommend using Discover Cars or Rental Cars when booking a car rental, they work with hundreds of companies worldwide to help you find the best car for your needs.
TRAINS – OMIO – is our favorite, this site is very reliable and easy to use.
BUS – OMIO – this website allows you to book train or bus tickets to travel from city to city the best and cheapest way. FLIXBUS is another terrific website with routes between 20 European countries.
ACCOMMODATIONS
BOOKING.com – is our go to for hotel searches around the world, we find they always have the cheapest rates and offer different payment options. In addition, VRBO is another terrific website for all types of accommodations.
HOSTELWORLD – is great if you’re traveling on a budget, and if you need a cheap place to stay.
SIGHTSEEING TOURS
GET YOUR GUIDE – is our favorite; they have stacks of tours and excursions available in cities all over the world. VIATOR is another great website for all types of tours.
TAKE WALKS – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
SAFETY WING – is our go to travel medical insurance company, especially for longer trips. You can either purchase a monthly plan or a plan for specific trip dates (i.e. 1-2 week trips). They cover people from all over the world, while outside their home country.
ARC’TERYX – is a go to reliable brand for outdoor adventure and travel, their wide range includes light weight durable, easy to clean travel gear.
Check out our RESOURCE PAGE for more additional planning.