Vegan Florence: Charcuterie, Spaghetti & Gelato
Florence is one of the most stunning cities I have ever visited. It is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, becoming a major artistic, cultural, economic and financial centre. So it stands to reason that the food in Florence would be as important. Florentine food grows out of a tradition of peasant fare rather than refined high cuisine. The majority of dishes are traditionally based on meat however with the rise of veganism across the world Florence’s vegan scene has become so rich that there’s a wide range of places to grab a bite between sightseeing. Whether dairy-free, gluten-free or vegan in the current era of Firenze you are spoilt for choice.
Universo Vegano holds a special place in my heart. To be able to go to the home of antipasti and order a vegan cheese, meat and breadboard meant the world to me as a chef, food enthusiast and hungry vegan. There was a selection of sliced ham, turkey, chicken, and beef, along with multiple cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella and even what seemed like a vegan burrata. On top of this, it came with a sliced-up bun, chutney and some extra chicken pieces! (Yes we also got vegan chicken nuggets with this meal, no I do not want to talk about it). Sadly Universo Vegano closed its doors in April of 2024 so it seems like I will always be dreaming of going back.
When in Italy one has to get gelato and there was nowhere else to go but Sbrino Gelatificio Contadino. Featuring six different vegan flavours, all clearly marked and even with vegan cones! We went for the vegan chocolate and vanilla and it was the perfect treat on a hot Italian day.
First starting trade in 1948 after World War 2, Ciro & Sons has been passed down from generation to generation serving some of the most authentic Florentine cuisine. Ciro & Sons aim to make you feel at home and let you spend some good time in a colourful and welcoming atmosphere. Not only do they offer some delicious Italian food but they also have a specific focus on the gluten and lactose-free crowd as well as vegans and vegetarians. The menu itself boasts that all of the dishes are available as gluten and/or lactose-free and has all of the menu options labelled for you to see what can and cannot be made vegan. We went for the gnocchi alla sorrentina with topped vegan cheese and Margherita with vegan cheese (of course with a little bowl of olives to add on top of everything). The food was absolutely delicious and if you’re in a group with mixed dietary requirements and want to eat a little piece of Firenze history, try Ciro & Sons.
Finally on the food tour of Florence was Osteria del Giglio. Osteria del Giglios Tuscan cuisine celebrates the region’s tradition of fresh, high-quality ingredients. From their crispy bruschetta to homemade pasta, they boast that each dish is “prepared with care, honouring generational recipes in a welcoming atmosphere” and I couldn’t agree anymore. We ordered the Tagliatelle ai funghi porcini obviously making sure to get non-egg pasta and the pizza con verdure miste with vegan cheese. Both dishes just gave us both that cementing reason we came to Italy, for pizza and pasta, and it didn’t get much better than Osteria del Giglio. To me, Italy is the home of basic food done well. The whole journey was a treat and I cannot wait for the day that I return.