Florence tastes different when you walk Oltrarno. This 3-hour small-group food tour mixes classic Tuscan bites with street-food culture, then lands you near Santo Spirito for an extra dose of local flavor. I really like the way you get both cheese and sweet stops plus real wine traditions, not just one-note eating.

The other thing I like: the tour feels guided, not rushed, so you know what you’re tasting and why it matters. The one drawback to think about is that portions include alcohol (Chianti Classico), and it also requires walking, so pace and comfort matter if you’re short on time or not feeling great.

Key takeaways before you go

• Small group, maximum 12: easier questions, tighter pacing, and more personal guide time.
• Cantucci plus coffee stop: you’ll get the classic almond biscotti experience tied to how locals actually eat.
• Oltrarno focus: the vibe shifts from postcard Florence to everyday neighborhood life.
• Wine windows and Chianti: you’ll understand how locals once served wine through tiny openings.
• Michelangelo connection at Santo Spirito: the tour route includes a major art moment inside a Renaissance church.
• Gelato lesson, then tasting: a quick way to tell artisanal gelato from the not-so-good stuff.

Oltrarno is the move, and food is the map

If Florence is all museums to you, this tour is a good counterweight. You’ll spend your time in Oltrarno, the neighborhood side of town where you can still feel everyday routines, not just tour buses. And because the stops are built around food, the streets act like a living guide, not just a backdrop.

What makes the experience practical is the structure. You’re not wandering on your own with a grocery bag of guesses. Instead, you hit a cheese and salumi shop, a long-running pasticceria, a street-food counter, a historic wine stop, and an award-style gelateria, all with a guide who connects the dots.

Formaggi E Salumi Sandro & Ivana: where Tuscan starts

Your first taste stop sets the tone: Formaggi E Salumi Sandro & Ivana is a traditional alimentari where you’ll sample Tuscan staples. You’ll try two varieties of Pecorino cheese, plus Finocchiona, the fennel-infused salami that gives the whole tasting its distinctive aroma.

Why this stop is such a smart start: Pecorino and salumi aren’t random indulgences here. They are part of the Tuscan pantry, and pairing them early gives you a baseline for what you’ll taste later, including how the region balances fat, salt, and herbs.

A small consideration: cheese and cured meats are intense flavors. If you’re sensitive to strong smells or very salty food, go slow with the first bites and drink water between tastes if you need it.

Pasticceria Buonamici: cantucci and the coffee ritual

Next up is Pasticceria Buonamici, a neighborhood pasticceria that has survived floods, wars, and pandemics, and is now run by the third generation. This stop is where your tour turns from savory into proper Florentine sweetness.

You’ll taste cantucci biscotti, plus a millefoglie cake, and you can pair the experience with a freshly brewed coffee or cappuccino. This matters because cantucci are meant to be eaten in a specific rhythm, and the coffee stop gives you the easiest setup for doing it right.

One practical note: baked sweets stack up fast in a 3-hour tour. If you’re the type who loves desserts but doesn’t do well with sugar, consider pacing your millefoglie bite and saving your appetite for gelato later.

Porta San Frediano and the medieval wall you can actually see

Between tastings, you get a history moment that doesn’t feel like homework. You’ll see Porta San Frediano, a medieval gate that dates back to 1333, part of Florence’s fortified walls. This is the kind of sight that helps the food stops make more sense, because it places the neighborhood’s daily life in a longer timeline.

Even if you don’t go deep into architectural details, it’s a quick mental reset. You walk, you look, you move, then you’re back to eating.

Lampredotto at Da Simone: the street food Florence is proud of

Now comes the bite that makes the tour memorable fast: a stop at Da Simone, a local Florence street food stand. Here you’ll try Lampredotto, the iconic panino made with cow stomach. It can sound unusual before you taste it, but it’s a Florence classic for a reason.

What I like about including this on the route is the balance. The tour already gave you cheese, cured meat, and sweets. Lampredotto adds something more street-level and practical, the kind of food people grab without turning it into an event.

How to make it easier on yourself: approach it like comfort food rather than a novelty. If you like rich, savory fillings, you’re in the right place. If you’re wary, keep your first bite small and use the guide’s explanations to decide how you feel.

Wine windows and Fiaschetteria Fantappié: Chianti the local way

This portion of the tour teaches you something you can use after you leave. You’ll learn about Florence’s wine windows, small openings in historic buildings that were used to serve wine directly to locals. Instead of wine being locked behind a bar counter, it was built into the street fabric.

Then you’ll head to Fiaschetteria Fantappié in Oltrarno, a historic spot serving locals since the 1950s. This is where you taste Tuscan cucina povera style food, including Tuscan soup and wild boar stew, plus a glass of Chianti Classico. And because the service happens through a classic wine window, the tasting feels tied to the place, not just poured into a cup.

Why this is valuable for your trip: you’re not just consuming alcohol and stew. You’re learning the social reason behind the architecture. That helps you notice things like the way neighborhoods are designed for everyday exchange.

A practical consideration: this is the heaviest savory moment on the tour. If you’re easily overwhelmed by rich meat dishes, ask the guide for guidance on portion pacing, and plan for slower chewing and water breaks.

Santo Spirito’s secret crucifix, then award-winning gelato

The tour doesn’t end when the food ends. You explore a lively square and visit Church of Santo Spirito, where you can see a hidden highlight tied to Michelangelo’s secret crucifix. This is the kind of art detail that often gets missed because people walk past it without knowing it’s there.

From there, you finish with gelato at Gelateria Artigianale La Sorbettiera | Santo Spirito, an award-winning shop voted Florence’s Best Gelato. You’ll get a quick 10-minute crash course on how to spot true artisanal gelato, then taste a 2-flavor cup or cone.

This ending is a smart choice. After cheese, salumi, street food, stew, and wine, gelato becomes a palate reset instead of one more heavy bite. Also, gelato is one of those things where a little know-how helps you avoid the tourist-trap version later.

Price and what you actually get for the money

At $113.72 per person for about 3 hours, the value comes from the number and variety of stops, plus the fact that you’re guided through them. You’re not paying just for walking and stories. You’re paying for multiple tastings that cover savory, sweet, street food, wine culture, and gelato.

Based on what’s included, you can expect:

• Local tastings tied to Tuscan favorites, including cantucci with espresso or cappuccino
• Multiple savory stops, including cheese and salumi, plus lampredotto
• A wine culture portion featuring wine windows, plus Chianti Classico
• An end-of-tour gelato tasting with a short explanation of what makes it artisanal
• A local English-speaking guide and Food & the City insider tips

What’s not included is also clear: gratuities and extra drinks. If you want more to drink, there’s a Premium Drink Package available for €16 that adds 3 additional drinks, arranged by email.

My take: this price makes sense if you want structure and variety without having to research five different places yourself. If you already plan to self-tour and eat in a methodical way, you might do less on your own. But if you want someone to connect food to Florence culture with minimal guesswork, this is a straightforward way to spend an afternoon.

Who should book (and who might not)

This tour fits best if you:

• Want small-group attention and a guided pace
• Like mixing categories: cheese, cured meats, sweets, street food, wine, and gelato
• Enjoy neighborhood walking in Oltrarno rather than only the main sights
• Appreciate context, like why wine windows exist and how cucina povera shows up on a plate

It might be less ideal if you:

• Have severe or life-threatening food allergies. The tour says it can’t take responsibility for severe allergies, and you should check dietary accommodations before booking.
• Are very sensitive to strong flavors like Pecorino and fennel salami.
• Prefer food without alcohol. A glass of Chianti Classico is part of the experience.

Quick practical advice to get the most out of the route

• Wear comfortable walking shoes. You’ll be on your feet across multiple stops.
• Plan to eat your normal meals earlier in the day and show up hungry, but not starving.
• If you’re ordering for a family or group, remember the age rules: children under 4 can join for free, but food is not included for those under 4. Food-included tickets apply starting at age 4.
• If you have dietary needs, email or add a note at booking. The tour says they’ll do their best to accommodate vegetarians and gluten-free guests, plus other needs.

Should you book this Other Side of Florence Food Tour?

I’d book it if you want a compact way to understand Florence through eating, not just sightseeing. The tour covers a smart spread: artisanal cheese and salumi, classic cantucci and coffee, a true street-food icon, a historic wine culture stop tied to wine windows, and a gelato finish with a quick technique lesson.

Skip it if your perfect Florence day is only big-ticket monuments, because this experience is intentionally more neighborhood and food-led. Also take extra care with allergies, since the tour notes limitations for severe or life-threatening food allergies.

If you want your Florence to taste like a local routine, this is an excellent place to start.

FAQ

How long is the Other Side of Florence Food Tour, and where does it start and end?

It runs for about 3 hours. It starts at Piazza Nazario Sauro, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy, and ends at Piazza Santo Spirito, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy.

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers, and it requires a minimum of 2 guests to operate.

What food and drinks are included?

Included tastings include cantucci with espresso or cappuccino, Tuscan foods and iconic street food, wine and wine-window tastings, and gelato. The specific selections can vary by day or season. A glass of Chianti Classico is included.

Can the tour accommodate dietary requirements?

You can email ahead or add a note at booking, and the tour will do its best to accommodate vegetarians, gluten-free guests, and other dietary needs. The experience is not suitable for those with severe or life-threatening food allergies.

Are extra drinks included in the price?

Extra drinks are not included. There is an option to purchase 3 additional drinks with a Premium Drink Package for €16 by emailing in advance.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.