il Mercato Centrale Firenze

"The train station probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you want a great meal, but if you walk to the farthest end of the Termini Station just past the rental car counters, you’ll find a vast marble-clad space that once served as the dining hall for railway workers. Grab a cappuccino and cornetto for breakfast before an early train, or a Sicilian ricotta-stuffed savory pie, a slice of pizza, or even some rich ramen for lunch or dinner. Once you have your food, sit down and order with a server if you want an on-tap craft beer, wine, or a cocktail. They’re open from 7:30am to 11:00pm (midnight on weekends), so it’s a nice flexible option if you’re just looking for an off-hours snack." - Gillian McGuire

"Florence’s late-19th-century steel-and-glass market building in San Lorenzo underwent a makeover in 2014 when the second floor was converted into a contemporary food hall. On the first floor of the soaring structure, traditional butchers, fishmongers, and fresh produce vendors still supply the Florentines with the wherewithal for their daily shopping. But climb the staircase to the upper level and enter Mercato Centrale, a food-lover’s heaven that showcases the very best of Italian regional cuisine. It’s a lively space offering sensual overload, and the range of gustatory delights is nothing short of eye-popping. The problem (if there is one) is that there’s too much choice—it’s all so good and varied (you can find everything from fresh truffles to sushi) that you really need several repeat visits to sample everything here. Our advice? Take a tour of the whole place and note which stalls tickle your tastebuds the most before deciding on your menu." - Nicky Swallow

Here, Stanley learns about beans and cucina povera from Leonardo Romanelli, Italian food critic and culinary historian.