For 20 years I lived just in front of the Mercato Centrale in Florence. What a blessing. Such a choice for ingredients and shopping.
In front of the market, hidden behind the stands selling leather, is one of my favorite bakeries in the area, Forno Ivana.
Ivana and her girls
Tuscany is famous for the saltless bread, which for many means tasteless. Ivana has a large variety of different regional breads as well as pre-made sandwiches, pizza and foccaccia and pastries. It is a MUST for those that just want a quick bite.
Some of the more flavorful breads are the Sicilian style bread with sesame seeds or pane salata, bread made with salt.
The shop is tiny and there is always a line out the door with locals picking up some water and a sandwich at lunch time.
For a snack, I adore the coccoli, little fried dough balls- sometimes split open and filled with prosciutto. Look on top of the counter when you walk in they are usually up front, they are sold by the piece. Be careful, the are addicting.
Ivana and her fabulous Schiacchiata– tuscan foccaccia- tons of olive oil and salt
Forno Ivana
via del ariento, 21/r
almost on the corner of via san antonino.
Once again, Judy, another little place that sounds fantastic! I love all these places that you have discovered in your time there…
Florence September 18, 2015! I am excited to take your advise with me!
GREAT
Alyce- scroll around through the site- look at the suggestions on the bottom of the page after you see a page and there are more and more suggestions!