If you’ve travelled through Italy, you might have seen All’Antico Vinaio’s big, bold, red signage, alerting you to their sensational sandwiches. This autumn, All’Antico opened its first UK store in Soho, marking the 48th location to sling their Florentine sandwiches worldwide.
Schiacciata is a Tuscan flat bread that’s as fluffy as focaccia on the inside, but satisfyingly crisp at the crust. At All’Antico, this heaven-baked bread is cut in half and stuffed with meats, creams and cheeses that take you to the land of the Renaissance.
There’s no way to look cute eating it. It’s a messy and greasy affair
All’Antica’s small shop has already caused a stir on Old Compton Street. At lunch, white and blue-collar workers united by hunger pour out of the entrance and down the road. Inside, staff are efficient as hell. You immediately order at the counter, then inch your way to the register while the artists are at work. By the time you pay, your sandwich is securely wrapped and ready to go.
Deciding which sandwich to order is an excruciating task. There are 18 options, but if you’re a first timer, order La Paradiso – Italian for ‘the paradise’ and absolutely living up to its name. Slices of mortadella generously blanket a thick spread of pistachio cream and stracciatella cheese, with chopped pistachios added for extra flavour and texture. There’s no way to look cute eating it. It’s a messy and greasy affair.
Same goes for the Italiana, slathered in basil pesto that drips down to stacked, 18-month-old prosciutto di Parma, buffalo mozzarella and fresh tomatoes. If you prefer sundried, order the Firenze, with sbriciolona salami, sundried tomatoes and a phenomenal pecorino cream that bursts out of the edges. Honestly, All’Antico’s only downfall might be that it’s just too giving. You get your money’s worth, but might endure some blocked arteries along the way.
Antico leans heavy on the meats, but vegetarians are not forgotten. There’s the classic Caprese AV with buffalo mozz, pesto, tomatoes and fresh basil, or the Ponte Vecchio with pistachio cream, stracciatella, and sundried tomatoes. You can also zhuzh any of the sandwiches to your liking, as long as you’re not causing a traffic jam at the counter.
I enjoyed All’Antica so much, I made it a point to stop by its Milan location on a recent trip, and was surprised by how alike they were. The London location, in my opinion, offered fresher, crispier bread. But in Milan, there’s beer and wine. According to All’Antica London’s manager, Carla, the shop’s alcohol permit will be ready soon.
Despite its lengthy wait and tight space, All’Antica Vinaio’s operation is smooth and swift, rewarding patience with a well-worth-it prize. It’s an indulging lunch and great addition to London’s sandwich revival, but is it the Mona Lisa of sandwiches? It’s not far off.
The vibe Big lines in Soho for big sandwiches from Italy.
The food 18 different kinds of fillings in addictive Tuscan flatbread, from £11.50-£15.
The drink Wine is set to drop in 2026.
Time Out tip Order La Paradiso; mortadella, pistachio cream, stracciatella cheese, and chopped pistachios.