The Mercato Centrale of San Lorenzo Market (Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo) is a historical market in Florence, Italy. The district includes a two-story market hall and an outdoor market that takes place on the streets surrounding the Mercato Centrale building. Click here for more info about the outdoor market.
The market building is home to two different markets, the traditional market that takes place on the ground floor, and a more modern food hall concept on the first floor.
The central marketplace, once busy with locals, now largely survives on tourist traffic as the historic centre’s native population continues to dwindle, forcing vendors to shift their offerings to meet the changing customer base.
Ground Floor – Traditional Covered Market
The ground floor of Mercato Centrale Florence preserves the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Italian market hall. Here, local vendors sell fresh, raw ingredients and regional specialties. Merchants offer carefully selected produce, meats, and other goods. Shoppers can browse through stalls offering fruits and vegetables, visit specialised butcher shops for various cuts of meat and poultry, or the catch of the day at the fish counters.
There are also shops with flowers, wine and traditional Tuscan and Italian products, including an impressive selection of balsamic vinegars, truffle oils, olive oil, dried pasta, sun-dried tomato, spices and a lot more. Visitors can stop by several small bars and restaurants for a quick bite or a coffee.
You’ll also find “tripperias” on this floor, vendors offering tripe and dishes made with tripe. Tripe and lampredotto are cornerstone dishes of Florentine cuisine. Lampredotto, made from the cow’s fourth stomach (abomasum), is slowly simmered in broth and typically served with a vibrant green sauce. The market also offers various other traditional beef preparations, including the third stomach (known as centopelle), tongue, and various organ meats. Classic Florentine fried delicacies include calf’s brain, sweetbreads, and bone marrow. These dishes represent centuries of Florentine culinary tradition, where every part of the animal was used in cooking.
Click here for an overview of vendors!
First Floor – Modern Food Court
The first floor, renovated and opened in 2014, represents a contemporary interpretation of Italian food culture. This open-concept space operates until midnight, creating a dining destination that contrasts with the traditional marketplace below. The floor is arranged as an artisanal food hall, where skilled vendors prepare and serve specialised dishes at their individual stations.
Visitors can find expertly crafted fresh pasta, artisanal breads and baked goods, seafood dishes, and a variety of fried specialties. The space caters to diverse dietary preferences, offering both vegetarian and vegan options. Specialty stations focus on particular products, such as buffalo mozzarella, various cheeses, chocolates, and gelato. Traditional Florentine street food like lampredotto shares space with luxury ingredients such as truffles.
The floor’s modern dining system allows customers to order from multiple vendors and enjoy their selections at communal tables. A dedicated pizzeria offers both counter service and table ordering options, with additional seating available in the mezzanine area. The beverage service operates independently, with wait staff taking drink orders directly at tables or through a QR code system.
Click here for an overview of restaurants!
Market info – Mercato Centrale Florence
- Getting to Mercato Centrale Florence
- By train – Firenze Santa Maria Novella station (7 minutes walk)
- By bus – several bus routes
- By tram T2 – Unità stop
- Toilets are next to the stairs on the Via dell’Ariento side.
- Dogs are allowed
Opening hours – Ground Floor
Monday: 7am – 3pm
Tuesday: 7am – 3pm
Wednesday: 7am – 3pm
Thursday: 7am – 3pm
Friday: 7am – 3pm
Saturday: 7am – 5pm
Sunday: closed
Opening hours – First Floor
Monday: 9am – midnight
Tuesday: 9am – midnight
Wednesday: 9am – midnight
Thursday: 9am – midnight
Friday: 9am – midnight
Saturday: 9am – midnight
Sunday: 9am – midnight
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