Florence Oltrarno Food Tour: Street Eats, Wine & Local Tastings

Summary

Florence food tour in Oltrarno with street eats, wine and bakery stops

You’ll taste your way through Florence’s Oltrarno with a local guide—trying Lampredotto sandwiches, warm cantucci cookies dipped in sweet wine, Tuscan cheeses, and Chianti with crostino. Expect laughter with neighborhood bakers and deli owners along winding streets. By the end you’ll feel less like a tourist and more like someone who belongs—even if just for an afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel nervous about a sandwich, but there I was in Florence’s Oltrarno, standing by a little stall with steam rising into the late morning air. Our guide, Francesca, grinned as she handed me a Lampredotto — cow stomach on bread, apparently a big deal here. The smell was richer than I’d guessed, kind of earthy and peppery. I took a bite (hesitated first), and honestly? It was way better than it sounds. Francesca laughed when she saw my face. “See? You’re Florentine now.” Maybe not quite, but for a second I felt like it.

We wandered deeper into the Oltrarno district — it’s got this easygoing energy that feels less polished than the other side of the river. Students zipped past on bikes; an old man waved from his shop doorway. At the bakery stop, the owner slid over warm cantucci cookies and poured us tiny glasses of sweet wine to dip them in. The cookies were crunchy at first but then just sort of melted away after soaking up the wine. I tried to say “grazie” properly; she smiled anyway.

The day trip kept surprising me. We tasted fennel-spiced Finocchiona salami and sharp cheeses at a little deli where everyone seemed to know each other — lots of hand gestures and loud greetings. Later we ducked into a wine shop for Chianti with crostino topped with something seasonal (mushrooms maybe?), and I caught myself just staring out at the street while sipping. There’s something about eating your way through Florence that makes you slow down without even trying.

I still think about that gelato — real gelato — from the last stop. Pistachio for me, hazelnut for my friend; both so creamy it almost felt wrong to eat them fast. Walking back across the bridge after three hours of wandering and snacking with Francesca (who knew everyone), I realized how much more comfortable this side of Florence felt by then. Not sure if it was the food or just being let in on all those little local secrets.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Florence Oltrarno Food Tasting Tour

• Explore Oltrarno district with guide
• Try Florence’s Lampredotto sandwich
• Taste homemade cantucci cookies
• Sample Tuscan cheeses and salami
• Enjoy a glass of Chianti wine
• Eat crostino with seasonal toppings
• Try authentic Italian gelato

Top questions

How long does the Florence Oltrarno food tour last?

The tour lasts around 3 hours as you walk through Oltrarno with your guide.

What foods are included on this Florence food tour?

You’ll try Lampredotto sandwich, cantucci cookies, Tuscan cheeses, Finocchiona salami, crostino with seasonal toppings, and gelato.

Is wine included in the Florence food tour?

Yes, two local wines are included along with water and coffee during tastings.

Are dietary requirements accommodated?

You can email dietary needs such as vegetarian or gluten-free in advance; severe allergies cannot be accommodated for safety reasons.

Is this walking food tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options are wheelchair accessible throughout the experience.

Where does the Florence food tour take place?

The tour explores the Oltrarno district—the “other side” of Florence’s river Arno.

How many tasting stops are included?

You’ll visit four different tasting locations with six samples overall.

What’s included

Your day includes six samples at four different tasting locations—like Lampredotto sandwiches from a street stall, homemade cantucci cookies at a bakery, Tuscan cheeses and Finocchiona salami at a deli, Chianti wine with crostino at a wine shop—and finishes off with real Italian gelato. Two local wines plus water and coffee are also part of your experience as you explore Oltrarno on foot alongside an English-speaking local guide.