Text Virginia Mammoli e Martina Olivieri
Photo cover Suea Sivilaisith

September 17, 2021

Food

The best Club Sandwich in Florence

The addresses where to taste the most famous stuffed sandwich in the world

The club sandwich is the world's most beloved and revisited stuffed sandwich. Its origins are not clear. Some say it was invented by the chef of the Union Club in New York, while other sources say it first appeared on the gambling table in Saratoga Springs (New York) around 1894. What is certain is that this greedy sandwich, in a short time, from America went around the world, conquering all palates.

Even in Florence there are many restaurants that delight in offering their own version of the club sandwich, here are those not to be missed!

Atrium Bar - Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
Borgo Pinti, 99
ph: 055 26261

The iconic Atrium Bar of the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is the right address at any time of day, from breakfast to dinner, including the famous cocktails, very popular for the aperitif. A place to be with an international mood, its menu could not miss the Club Sandwich, served in its most traditional and noble form: three slices of toasted bread, two eggs omelette, chicken breast fillets cooked in extra virgin olive oil, browned bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. To be enjoyed piping hot!

Harry's Bar
Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 8
ph: 055 239 6700

Harry's is Harry's! Muffled and cozy atmosphere, fine cuisine, cocktails prepared to art. Harry's Bar is all this and much more. It has always combined its love for internationality with a special attention to Italian products. The Club Sandwich Harry's Bar Florence is an institution in the city. Made with roasted sandwich bread, grilled bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise and chicken breast cooked at a low temperature. It's served hot with fries for at least a virtual dive into the best American diners. Prezzo 30 euro.

Winter Garden Restaurant - The St. Regis Florence
Piazza Ognissanti, 1
ph. 055 27163770

The Winter Garden restaurant offers a culinary experience that reflects and enhances the Tuscan tradition thanks to the expert hands of Executive Chef Gentian Shehi and an impeccable service, attentive to detail. Here, the choice of local products, gives a quid also to the Club Sandwich, served with Tuscan bacon, mayonnaise made on the spot and chips.

L'Oliveto Bistrot - Villa la Massa
Via della Massa, 24
ph. 055 62611

A delicious Club Sandwich to enjoy maybe at the poolside? Just go to L'Oliveto, the face bistro of Villa La Massa, overlooking the new pool of the structure. What awaits you? Three layers of bread with chicken cooked at low temperature to maintain its softness, escarole salad, beef heart tomato, hard-boiled egg, mayonnaise, pepper and bacon rolled on top instead of the classic bacon to give a touch of Tuscan flavor. All accompanied by fragrant chips.

Sesto on Arno - Westin Excelsior Florence
Piazza Ognissanti, 3
ph. 055 27152783

Spectacular rooftop bar and restaurant with breathtaking views of the city that can be enjoyed both from inside through large windows, and from the large terrace, Sesto on Arno offers a series of delicious sandwiches, including the coolest of the moment, prepared in its classic version with local ingredients and homemade mayonnaise.

Ristorante Le Bistrot - Villa Cora
Viale Machiavelli, 18
ph. 055 228790

The Club Sandwich is a must in the restaurant of Villa Cora, where the chef Alessandro Liberatore offers it in both classic and vegetarian version. The classic Club Sandwich has toasted bread, grilled chicken breast and bacon cooked in the oven to make it crispy, julienne salad, tomato, hard-boiled egg and mayonnaise made on the spot, while the vegetarian one is stuffed with grilled eggplant, zucchini and bell pepper, always accompanied by julienne salad, tomato, hard-boiled egg and mayonnaise. As a side dish the classic chips or a fresh mixed salad.

Picteau Bistrot & Cocktail Bar - Hotel Lungarno
Borgo San Jacopo, 14
ph. 055 27264996

We are in the Bistrot Cocktail Bar of the Hotel Lungarno, with a lovely view of the Arno, with Ponte Vecchio in the forefront.A lounge loved by Florentines and not at all hours of the day, also chosen for its fabulous Club Sandwich, a classic recipe, but cared for in every detail: lightly toasted bread carrè, plenty of icerberg salad, mayonnaise, chicken breast and toasted bacon, tomato, hard-boiled egg. Served without the edges, and garnished with fries.

Caffè Cibrèo - Helvetia & Bristol Firenze, Starhotels Collezione
Via dei Pescioni, 2
ph. 055 26651

Born from the exclusive collaboration with a historical name of Florentine and Italian gastronomy, the new Caffè Cibrèo of the Helvetia & Bristol hotel proposes its special Tuscan Club Sandwich, a revisited recipe of the traditional Club Sandwich, prepared with 4 slices of our toasted Pane Santo, thin slices of lightly browned beef kidney, Dijone mustard, roasted beef salad, roast-beef sauce and chips with Cibrèo ketchup and mayonnaise. Enjoy in the modern and cozy interior spaces or in the elegant outdoor area. To be enjoyed in the modern and welcoming interior spaces or in the elegant dehors.

ToscaNino in Rinascente Florence
Piazza della Repubblica, 4
ph: 055 493 3468

Bar, cafeteria, wine bar and store, ToscaNino is a concept store all exclusively "made in Tuscany" inside the Rinascente in Florence with a magnificent terrace overlooking the rooftops of Florence. The menu, as you can guess from the name, includes a series of dishes that enhance the Tuscan tradition but also some touch of internationality given for example by the delicious Club Sandwich made of white bread, mayonnaise, chicken, lettuce, tomato, hard-boiled egg, bacon and cheese. Strictly served with crispy French fries.

The Kitchen & The Bar - The Place Firenze
P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 7
ph: 055 264 5181

The restaurant of the hotel overlooking Santa Maria Novella, recently renovated by Studio Luigi Fragola Architetti, where you can enjoy the all day dining dishes of the sincere and refined cuisine of chef Asso Migliore, offers a delicious Club Sandwich with Tuscan chicken cream and peppers, boiled eggs, crispy bacon, tomato, salad, Tuscan fried potatoes.

Irene Bistrò - Hotel Savoy
Piazza della Repubblica, 7
ph. 055 2735891

Authentic dishes that pay homage to regional ingredients. This is the fil rouge of Irene Bistrò's menu, and the Club Sandwich is certainly no exception. A true delicacy, whose uniqueness lies mainly in the products used for its preparation and in the way they are mixed: from Florentine tomatoes lightly marinated to enhance the flavor by adding hand-chopped basil, to 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil, packaged exclusively for Fulvio Pierangelini in San Vincenzo. The mustard mayonnaise is homemade always with Chef's olive oil and fresh eggs. As other ingredients: chicken breast, romaine salad and bacon crispy. The omelette inside gives the final touch of exclusivity. Pierangelini's signature recipe, executed to perfection by Head Chef Giovanni Cosmai, Sous Chef Massimo Laise and their team.

Ditta Artigianale Carducci
Via Giosuè Carducci, 2/4r
ph. 055 936 7419

In the former monastery of Sant'Ambrogio, was born the third local Ditta Artigianale and it is the first in Europe to host in a place open to the public the School of Coffee. It offers an all-round catering service and one of the tastiest Club Sandwiches in town. It's called XL Club Sandwich, and it consists of 500g of fresh and crispy bread, homemade turkey, bacon, salad, tomato, a delicious honey mayonnaise and mustard. It is the star of brunch but also of breakfast. Price: 14 euros.

Mama's Bakery
Via della Chiesa, 34R
ph: 055 219214

Mama's Bakery is a relaxing and friendly environment where you can enjoy the most famous products of the American tradition including of course the club sandwich. Here you will find three different versions: the Mama's club sandwich, as well as their workhorse, consisting of turkey rump, mayonnaise, tomatoes, bacon, avocado and salad. The Salmon club sandwich consisting of chive creamcheese, smoked salmon and salad, and finally the Veggie club sandwich with emmental, tomatoes, carrots, avocado, sprouts, mustard and mayonnaise. All three are made with their own cassette bread, which can be either classic white or whole wheat sourdough.