An Unexpected Evening at the Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo

On a normal day the Mercato Centrale di San Lorenzo is a place of understated hustle and bustle.  It is an ideal place to locate essential fresh ingredients to suit your Italian cucina!  However, on Saturday 28^th September the Mercato turned nocturnal, transforming into a maze of delicious international food and drink.  There were worldwide cuisines to complement all taste buds ranging from Spanish to Japanese, accompanied by vibrant entertainment (in the form of Brazilian dancing!).

 An incredible bowl of sushi!  Bellissimo!

The event offered an interesting alternative to the characteristically Italian aperitivo to be enjoyed in numerous Florentine bars.  Yet it remained an occasion instilled with what can only be described as Mediterranean spirit demonstrated via lively performances and a good-humoured atmosphere.  With a mainly Italian speaking audience there was also ample opportunity to spark up conversation and test out language skills.

Brazilian dancers suddenly emerge!

The Sushi Bar.

La Macelleria.

Stumbling across hamburger stalls with a bag of biscotti in one hand and a plate of sushi in the other is certainly my idea of a well-spent evening.  The nationalities represented infused the marketplace with the flavours of the world bringing new life to a traditional place. 

Just a few options to satisfy a sweet tooth.

...the possibilities are endless! 

The Mercarto Centrale di San Lorenzo also presented some
exceptionally artistic kebabs. 

And for an antique lovers perfect Sunday morning, visit the Mercatino dei Ciompi in Sant’Ambrogio where you can find an array of collectable goods, big and small, from furniture and cutlery to analogue photographs and old arts magazines.

A view of a shop interior at the Mercatino dei Ciompi.

Lamps, bellows and bird cages - a collectors dream!

- Ellie Porter, HOA Intern