Hanging lamps, iron-and-glass structure and upstairs counters of Florence's Mercato Centrale.

Mercato Centrale

The covered market in San Lorenzo combines food stalls on the ground floor with an upstairs level of restaurants, handy for fitting lunch between two visits.

  • Markets
  • Suggested time:1 to 1.5 hours
  • Area:San Lorenzo

About Mercato Centrale

Under the iron-and-glass structure, the marbles are gone and fruit, cheese and food counters have moved in. The ground floor keeps its food stalls and places to taste on the spot; upstairs, the Mercato Centrale gathers restaurants and a range of kitchens.

It is a practical break between the Duomo and the Accademia, especially when everyone wants something different to eat. Walk around before deciding: the first line you see doesn't have to choose your lunch. The floors keep different hours; open restaurants don't guarantee the stalls are running.

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Image credit

  • Iron, glass and lamps frame the upstairs counters of the Mercato Centrale; lunch goes on the itinerary.Photo: Sailko · CC BY 3.0 · original

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