It was 1991 when the first All’Antico Vinaio opened in Via de ‘Neri, which soon became the supreme temple of the Florentine schiacciata. Twelve years later, the second venue opened, this time with seats and tables, and was followed, two years later, by the Osteria All’Antico Vinaio and in 2018, by the fourth location. This small, street food empire (praised by Forbes, among others) has always been managed by the Mazzanti family.
Every day, throngs of tourists and Florentines literally siege this quadruple pizzicheria, whose laboratories relentlessly produce an impressive number of schiacciatas. The atmosphere that you feel in each of the four venues (which are separate, yet so close together that they almost constitute a single, “displaced” bistro) is full of noise and cheer. From good food comes a good mood: that shouldn’t be ignored.
The best of the best is to find a place to sit and enjoy a good bottle of strictly Tuscan wine with crostini and cured meats followed by a succulent schiacciata. A combination that will make you feel so satiated and satisfied that you’ll understand the reason for the constant crowd that stirs everyday in the gastronomic district of Via de ‘Neri.
Needless to say, the atmosphere that you feel is the most cheerful and goliardic. All’Antico Vinaio possesses the merit of not being pretentious: the highest quality food doesn’t correspond to exclusivity, but on the contrary, to a warm inclusiveness. Everyone is welcome in the house of All’ Antico Vinaio, everyone must feel at ease, and above all, everyone must have fun.
But, when the food arrives by the carload and the wine flows in rivers, having fun and feeling at home becomes easy. So, you just have to go and try the most famous schiacciata of Florence and launch yourself in the atmosphere of fun that surrounds it. If you don’t try it, you will have missed something big.