Recently, I had the good fortune to go on a food tour compliments of The Tour Guy that was run through Eating Europe. We met our guide, Kiara, near the Medici Chapels in the historic San Lorenzo neighborhood. This area is well known to me, as it’s where one of my favorite restaurants is located, as well as the Mercato San Lorenzo (also known as Mercato Centrale) where I do quite a bit of my grocery shopping.
The group was small—just me and another American couple accompanied by their two teenage boys. I was excited because a small group is perfect for asking questions but I prefer a group rather than going solo, since I’m a chatty person who loves to meet people.
Kiara created an inviting and fun vibe for the group. As she guided us through our culinary adventure, she interjected tidbits about Florence’s history or the food we were eating in a way that encouraged a laid-back, convivial atmosphere. We were all active participants with plenty of opportunity to chat with her and each others—she was incredibly knowledgeable about Florence and its history.
One of the reasons I recommend guides when traveling is for exactly that type of personal experience. Yes, one can do their research, read guidebooks, watch shows, etc., but nothing is quite a special as having an expert guide you around their city—giving their recommendations and highlighting their favorite parts. A talented guide, which Kiara was, will also pick up on cues from the group in order to tailor the experiences to their needs. A great guidebook, a talented blogger, or watching Stanley Tucci doesn’t create a personalized memory like that for you.
Starting with cantucci and vin Santo from Il Cantuccio di San Lorenzo, we devoured Florence one bite at a time. After nibbling on those delicious twice-baked cookies, we headed over to Mercato Centrale to see the vendors and taste their wares. The tour was a mix of food history and culinary culture. We learned about the market, the vendors, the traditions of the Florentine people, and so much more.
At Marco’s Salumi e Formaggi, we sampled various meats and cheese learning about their production and how they complement Florence’s unsalted bread (there are several stories as to why this is but my favorite involves a rivalry between Pisa and Florence). From fennel sausage to sweet prosciutto to aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, we nibbled away.
Our makeshift tagliere was followed by a trip to taste various olive oils and balsamic vinegars—heaven—and then to sip Prosecco—more heaven. Our stomachs already full, we then went on to sample Florentine’s favorite offal—lampredotto. This fourth stomach of the cow (because the first three just won’t do) is generally served with a verdant salsa verde or a spicy chili oil on a crusty roll. The flavor is quite subtle. Although I’m generally not a fan of offal, I find lampredotto to be more delicate and not as assertive as other organ meat.
At the panino stand we also had a fried meatball with the green sauce and a tomato salad. Mamma mia!
Already feeling quite full, I thanked the gods that I had worn expandable pants when Kiara said it was now time to pick up our lunch (we had ordered from a choice of primi foods—lasagne, eggplant Parmigiano, or panzanella when we first entered the market). We went nearby to a wine shop where the sommelier in charge led us through a tasting of various wines indigenous to the Chianti region.
Full and happy, we left the wine shop only to find that our guide had one last tasting for us—gelato. Kiara told us what to look for when selecting a gelateria (small batches, natural colors, preferably in small tins) and we each got to choose our two favorite flavors.
The food tour intermingled bits of the city’s past, food history, and culture with delicious morsels of Florence’s finest cuisine. We received top quality food and wine, an expert guide, and a good time for a reasonable price. In all, I consider it quite a value. My tour was sponsored by The Tour Guy who partnered with Eating Europe to offer this specific tour. Although that specific tour is not offered through The Tour Guy right now, they have many other options to choose from, including one at San Lorenzo Market and one at a more local market (Sant’Ambrogrio)—I’ve listed links below. I’ve also taken their “Florence Evening Food Tour” in the past and it was amazing.
I strongly recommend you take a cooking class and/or food tour when in Florence. Happy travels and buon appetito! Amy
N.b. Kiara’s name is formally spelled as Chiara but she told us that she spelled it Kiara for work to avoid confusion with other Chiara’s.
My Favorite Florence Food Tours
LivTours
If you want a more personal, in-depth experience, this is my top recommendation. Their semi-private tours (max 6 people) are ideal if you actually want to engage with the history rather than just follow a crowd. I’ve used LivTours multiple times in Italy and consistently had excellent guides and experiences.
Book here: https://livtours.com/destinations/florence-tours?af_code=E1DDN61
Save 10% with code AMYRH10 (on 2+ tours)
LivTours Semi-Private Food Tour in Florence: Local Dining Experience: https://livtours.com/tours/semi-private-food-tour-in-florence?af_code=E1DDN61
LivTours Gelato Making Class: https://livtours.com/tours/gelato-making-class-in-florence-semi-private?af_code=E1DDN61
The Tour Guy
A great option for first-time visitors who want engaging, story-driven tours of major highlights like the Colosseum or Vatican. Their guides are knowledgeable and make complex history easy to follow. Browse tours: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=74246&awinaffid=1985445&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fthetourguy.com%2Ftours%2Fflorence-food-tours
Florence Evening Food Tour with Florentine Steak and Tuscan Wine (Indulge in 14 authentic tastings across 5 local restaurants for the ultimate Florentine food journey): https://tidd.ly/4l6YIQo
Sant’Ambrogio Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Local Chef in Florence (Discover Tuscan street food, prepare a 3-course meal with tagliatelle and tiramisù and try 2 wines) https://tidd.ly/44WIDIc
Florence Day Trip to Tuscany: Siena, San Gimignano & Winery Lunch (Relax on this Tuscan day trip with a 3-course lunch and 6 wine tastings) https://tidd.ly/3U4OxRk
Chianti Vineyards 3-Course Dinner with Transportation from Florence (Escape to Tuscany for an evening of wine tastings, savoring 4 exquisite wines and local cuisine) https://tidd.ly/4odeXhH
Viator
Perfect if you want to compare a wide range of tours, read reviews, or find unique experiences and day trips…often at affordable prices. Explore options for Florence Food Tours: https://www.viator.com/searchResults/all?text=Florence+food+tours&pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector
GetYourGuide
Best for flexible planning and last-minute bookings, with lots of free cancellation options. Great for keeping your itinerary flexible. Check availability “Florence Street-Walking Tour” https://www.getyourguide.com/florence-l32/florence-street-food-walking-tour-with-wine-t460465/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher
If you’re not sure which tour company to choose, here’s a quick breakdown based on how I actually use them when I travel in Italy:
| Company | Best For | Group Size | Why I Use It | Book Here |
| LivTours | High-quality, immersive experiences | Max 6 (semi-private) | My top choice for depth, storytelling, and avoiding large crowds | https://livtours.com?af_code=E1DDN61 Code AMYRH10 = 10% off 2+ tours |
| The Tour Guy | First-time visitors & major highlights | Small groups | Engaging guides and well-paced tours of iconic sites | https://tidd.ly/3J78sNi |
| Viator | Comparing lots of options | Varies | I use it to research, read reviews, and find niche tours | https://www.viator.com/?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector |
| GetYourGuide | Flexible & last-minute bookings | Varies | Great for spontaneity and easy mobile booking | https://www.getyourguide.com/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher |
Watch my YouTube video on “Unforgettable Florence Food Tours”: https://youtu.be/IQUDrIgxuO0
Amy French, Ph.D., is the voice behind Roaming Historian. A professional historian and seasoned traveler, she shares stories that blend history and travel to give readers a deeper understanding of the places they explore.
Book Your Florence Hotel with Booking.com
I use Booking.com to find great hotel stays in Italy. It’s easy to compare locations, read reviews, and find places with flexible cancellation. My biggest tip: prioritize location—you’ll enjoy Italy so much more when you can walk everywhere. Find your hotel: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6776&awinaffid=1985445
Don’t Skip Travel Insurance
It’s easy to overlook, but I always recommend having travel insurance—especially for international trips. You can compare options through my travelinsurance.com affiliate link before your trip. https://www.travelinsurance.com/?utm_source=pap&a_aid=65590b3a60c44
Traveling Soon? Trusted Tour & Travel Partners
Planning your trip? Here are our trusted travel partners — thoughtfully chosen for quality, reliability, and exceptional experiences.
- LivTours (high-quality semi-private and private European tours led by expert guides)
Save 10% with code AMYRH10 (valid on two or more tours).
https://livtours.com?af_code=E1DDN61 - The Tour Guy (engaging small group & private European tours)
https://tidd.ly/3J78sNi - Viator (compare thousands of tours, day trips, and experiences worldwide)
https://www.viator.com/?pid=P00161535&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector - GetYourGuide (flexible booking options for tours, attractions, and local experiences)
https://www.getyourguide.com/?partner_id=CMSFGKK&utm_medium=online_publisher - Shore Excursions Group (high-quality shore excursions with lower prices and return-to-ship guarantees.)
https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1634209&data=roaminghistorian@gmail.com - Booking.com (global hotels, apartments & flexible booking options; flights; car rentals)
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=6776&awinaffid=1985445 - Expedia (flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages)
https://expedia.com/affiliate/p7ZcFsz - Hotels.com (book hotels globally and earn free nights through their rewards program)
https://www.hotels.com/affiliate/rdDAFaG - VRBO (private homes and unique stays ideal for families and longer trips)
https://vrbo.com/affiliate/KvF3nms - Travel Insurance.com (compare policies side-by-side to protect your trip at no extra cost)
https://www.travelinsurance.com/?utm_source=pap&a_aid=65590b3a60c44
Affiliate Disclosure
Roaming Historian may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support the research and storytelling that go into every article. All opinions are always our own.