As Google searches in the UK soar up to 2250% for ‘Holiday to Italy 2024’ and ‘Italian Holidays 2023’, new research by travel booking site, Omio, has revealed the best places in Italy to enjoy the country’s iconic focaccia sandwich.
Using Tripadvisor data, Omio looked at the ratings and reviews to rank the top cafes.
| Rank | Location | Restaurant | Rating | Reviews |
| 1 | Florence | Panini Toscani | 5 | 5,241 |
| 2 | Florence | I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti | 5 | 4,610 |
| 3 | Rome | Mastrociccia Osteria Pinseria Bistrot | 5 | 2,552 |
| 4 | Rome | Pasta e Vino – Via Florida | 5 | 2,486 |
| 5 | Florence | SandwiChic | 5 | 2,430 |
| 6 | Rome | Mimi e Coco Trast | 5 | 2,289 |
| 7 | Florence | Il Bufalo Trippone | 5 | 2,171 |
| 8 | Rome | Pasta e Vino – Largo Arenula | 5 | 1,106 |
| 9 | Rome | Tonnarello Scala | 5 | 943 |
| 10 | Rome | PanDivino – Focacceria Taperia | 5 | 871 |
- Panini Toscani ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Panini Toscani, located in the heart of Florence in Piazza del Duomo, takes the top spot for the best place to get your focaccia, with an exceptional rating of five stars. Rated Travellers choice 2022, and known for its authentic street food and delicious paninis, it’s an absolute must-try, with one reviewer saying: ”My personal recommendations is olive bread focaccia, ham, cheese, caviar eggplant, red pepper, dry tomatoes and spice peppers 🌶 you can’t come to Florence and not eat there 💯”
- I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Coined for having the “Best Porchetta in Florence”, second on the list is five-star restaurant I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti, serving artisan-style sandwiches and specially curated cutting boards. It’s a great place to have a nice lunch/dinner with a view and is 0.1 miles from the city’s most historic building, Palazzo Vecchio, so you can eat now and explore later!
One reviewer said: “Great location, amazing, delicious focaccia sandwiches with the most yummy florentine materials (you have to try the MORTADELLA WITH TRUFFLES!!).”
- Mastrociccia Osteria Pinseria Bistrot ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Located in the historic capital of Rome, Mastrociccia Osteria Pinseria Bistrot, third on the list. With stunning traditional Italian interiors, it is the perfect place to dine like a true Italian, with the option to eat inside or outside in a charming outdoor dining space. Offering appetising local dishes, and capturing the essence of authentic Romana cucina—it’s as traditional as it gets!
One reviewer said: “Exactly what you’d expect from a restaurant in Rome. Fantastic pasta, fantastic focaccia, and fantastic wine.”
- Pasta e Vino – Via Florida ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Fourth on the list, and with an impressive 31.8K followers on Instagram, it’s clear that this restaurant has more than a pretty aesthetic. Known for its mouthwatering pasta dishes, Pasta e Vino is situated in the perfect location, being just an 8-minute walk from Rome’s famous Pantheon building. With their iconic Focaccia Calda Al Rosmarino priced at a respectable €4.90, your taste buds won’t be the only thing that is satisfied, with one reviewer saying: “The pasta specifically was homemade and amazing. However, the focaccia was the star of the meal. It came warm, thin, and crispy, and along with olive oil, that made it only better.”
- SandwiChic ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Located 0.1 miles from one of the best known galleries in Florence, Galleria dell’Accademia, if you are looking for a casual spot, SandwiChic is the perfect place to stop off for a quick, convenient meal. Coming in fifth place, this “no tips, just tags” restaurant has a compact counter service that offers a variety of sandwiches featuring different kinds of meat and veggies, so you are sure to find something that suits your personal taste. It’s perfect for those who are on the go and want to try something authentic and fresh with flavour.
One reviewer said: “I picked a sandwich that had ham, cheese, and a leek spread on the most heavenly focaccia bread I have ever tasted. It was amazing. It was our favourite lunch spot in Florence. I can’t say enough good things about it!”
How to make the perfect focaccia at home, according to a chef.
If you can’t travel to Italy but want to have a go at making a truly authentic focaccia at home, Omio has spoken exclusively to Martina Angeloni, who isoriginally from Rome but now resides in the UK as Head Pastry Chef at the luxury Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve in Kent, to share her step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect focaccia from scratch!
Homemade Fresh Focaccia Bread
Serves: 4
Prep and cooking time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 5g salt
- 4g dried yeast
- 400g lukewarm water
- 30g olive oil
Directions:
- Begin by mixing the flour, salt, yeast, and water by hand or with a stand mixer for about 5 minutes on medium speed.
- Pour 20g of the oil into a mixing bowl and tip over the focaccia. Then, begin folding firmly, top to middle, bottom to middle, left side to middle, right side to middle. After folding, place your hands under the dough and turn it upside down.
- Cover with a tea towel to prevent the mix from drying out, and rest for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, repeat the folding process and rest for another 30 minutes.
- After another 30 minutes, repeat the folding process again and rest for another 30 minutes. The resting periods are essential, as this is when the magic happens and the gluten starts developing.
- Preheat the oven at 230 degrees. Then, cover a 30 x 25 cm baking tray with baking paper, and spread with 10g of olive oil.
- Lay your focaccia on the tray, and then cover your hands in olive oil. Begin to poke the focaccia gently with your fingers to make indents for the rosemary and sea salt, and begin to sprinkle.
- Bake for 17-19 minutes, and once cooked, place it on a cooling rack to allow the steam to escape.
- Leave your bread to cool down for 15-20 minutes, and slice your loaf evenly.
- After you’ve sliced your freshly made bread, simply add your desired filling and dressing.