Panini Toscani sits right near the Duomo, making it one of the most conveniently located (and…read morepopular) quick bites in Florence. The exterior is small and charming, with a line spilling out the door, while the interior is cozy and bustling with limited seating. The vibe is lively, welcoming, and very interactive, with opportunities to taste their various meats and cheeses. There's Italian and English menus to peruse before you create your customizable sandwich; the amount of options is almost overwhelming, though sampling can help alleviate this "problem." We arrived at around noon on a Wednesday, and waited around fifteen minutes; the line moves fast, despite being out the door!
You select from a variety of breads, meats, cheeses, and four additional toppings; they will then lightly toast your sandwich, and you pay at the front counter. I opted for their Ciabatta Toscana with Porchetta (roast pork), Stracciatella (a shredded creamy cheese similar to burrata), rucola (arugula), pepperoni sotto aceto (peppers in vinegar), pepperoni grigliati (grilled peppers), and melanzane (eggplant). My panini was a wonderful blend of textures and flavors; the bread had a crisp exterior and a pillowy-soft interior, the roast pork was succulent and well-seasoned with an herby crust, the straciatella added a creamy richness, and the various vegetables packed an acidic punch. The sandwich was also quite a generous portion, leaving me full for hours.
In terms of price point, I believe I ended up paying around €12, which was quite affordable, especially given the central location, interactive experience, and generous portions: excellent value for a high-quality quick meal.