On Florence's most expensive shopping street, surrounded by Gucci and Ferragamo, Procacci has been selling truffle products from the same narrow shopfront since 1885. The panini tartufati — small, soft rolls filled with truffle butter and cream — are unchanged, served on paper napkins at a dark wooden counter alongside glasses of Prosecco and Franciacorta. The interior is dim, polished, and smells permanently of truffle and old wood. This is not a restaurant disguised as a shop; it is a shop that happens to pour wine, and that simplicity is its elegance.
Location
Centro Storico, Florence
Map
Insider Intel
The panini tartufati — there is no alternative and no reason to seek one. These tiny truffle-butter sandwiches have been the house currency for nearly a hundred and forty years. A glass of Prosecco or Franciacorta to wash them down. If it is truffle season, the fresh truffle products in the shop case are worth taking home. Two panini and a glass constitute a perfect, fifteen-minute standing lunch.
Late morning around 11am for a truffle panino and a glass of sparkling wine — the Florentine equivalent of elevenses, conducted standing at the counter while Via Tornabuoni's window shoppers drift past. Aperitivo hour works equally well. Avoid the post-lunch lull when the shop feels drowsy.
Procacci is a truffle shop first, wine bar second — the counter service is an extension of the retail operation and the atmosphere reflects this. Standing room only at the small bar; a few seats at tiny tables. Via de' Tornabuoni is Florence's luxury shopping spine, which means the neighbours are fashion houses but Procacci's prices remain surprisingly reasonable for the postcode — panini around four euros, glasses of wine from six. The truffle products (oils, pastes, butters) make excellent gifts. Open daily, closed Sundays in some seasons. Card accepted.