All’Antico Vinaio

Florentine schiacciata in Soho

All’Antico Vinaio started in Florence in 1991 and is run by the Mazzanti family. In 2025 the brand opened its first UK outpost in Soho, bringing its famous schiacciata sandwiches to a lively corner of central London. Guests can expect queue-worthy counter service, generous fillings, and friendly staff who keep the line moving. The format is simple. Order at the bar, watch the team slice, spread, and stack, then find a perch or take away. Signatures such as La Favolosa and La Schiacciata del Boss sit beside city specials, including the La London combination. The bread is baked to a light crackle, sauces are made for balance, and portions are sized for a full meal. The opening marks a clear step in the group’s growth from a single Florentine shop to a global name with London now in the mix.

Trusted name with clear crowd-pleasers

Experience comes from three decades of craft and a menu refined across busy sites in Italy and the US. Expertise shows in the way fillings are matched to texture and heat, from porchetta with potato cream to stracciatella with pistachio. Trust is supported by a high-profile launch with verified opening details, consistent third-party coverage, and the brand’s own London menu listing. Authoritativeness rests on sustained demand, visible queues, and press that treats the shop as a destination for Italian street food in Soho. Practical touches help the visit run smoothly. Hours cover lunch through evening. Lines move fast. Staff explain choices, spice levels, and swaps in clear English. For workers on Old Compton Street, shoppers nearby, and visitors crossing from the West End, All’Antico Vinaio delivers fast service, bold flavours, and the kind of sandwiches that turn a quick stop into a small event. It reads as a confident addition to London’s casual scene with a product built on fresh bread, good produce, and pace.