Semel

Piazza Lorenzo Ghiberti, 44, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy

Tiny hole-in-the-wall Semel, located at the side of the lively Sant’Ambrogio market, makes some of the best panini in Florence. Instead of the usual prosciutto, pecorino, mortadella, or tuna salad fillings, here the soft, white buns known as semel are stuffed with tasty and unusual combos such as wild boar with blackcurrants and polenta, orange-spiked porchetta (roast suckling pig) and cavolo nero (a type of kale), venison, and even asino (yes, that’s donkey). There’s always a line and space inside is limited to a couple of high stools, so you will probably end up joining the crowds munching on the sidewalk, but this is street food at its best, so worth waiting for.

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Unusual Sandwich Combos

Tiny hole-in-the-wall Semel, located at the side of the lively Sant’Ambrogio market, makes some of the best panini in Florence. Instead of the usual prosciutto, pecorino, mortadella, or tuna salad fillings, here the soft, white buns known as semel are stuffed with tasty and unusual combos such as wild boar with blackcurrants and polenta, orange-spiked porchetta (roast suckling pig) and cavolo nero (a type of kale), venison, and even asino (yes, that’s donkey). There’s always a line and space inside is limited to a couple of high stools, so you will probably end up joining the crowds munching on the sidewalk, but this is street food at its best, so worth waiting for.

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