All'Antico Vinaio opens first UK store in London, signaling global expansion

All'Antico Vinaio, the Florence-born sandwich chain famed for oversized panini, is opening its first UK outpost in London’s Soho, signaling a major milestone in its global expansion. The shop at 61 Old Compton Street is slated to open tomorrow, with the first 500 visitors receiving a free schiacciata, the traditional Florentine flatbread.

The opening marks the 48th site worldwide and the seventh country where the brand operates. The owner Tommaso Mazzanti called the development a milestone in the company's growth and said the team hopes to replicate the success achieved in the United States. The chain began as a tiny Florence shop and has since expanded across the US and beyond, with additional openings expected this year, including further stores in the UK. The Soho storefront is positioned to anchor a broader UK push, with about 10 more outlets planned to open by year end.

The London shop will feature signature items such as La Favolosa, La Schiacciata del Boss and La Toscana. La Favolosa is described as a bold pairing of Sbriciolona salami, pecorino cream, artichoke spread and lightly spicy fried eggplant, a combination that has earned praise from food publications. The dish is among the items Saveur has named as one of the world's top five sandwiches. The brand's marketing has long leaned on the notion of paninis the size of your face, a descriptor that has helped drive the chain's appeal from Florence to international markets.

Long before its London debut, All'Antico Vinaio had already earned a high profile in Italy and abroad. In 2014, the Florence site was the most-reviewed restaurant on TripAdvisor, a distinction cited by the company's supporters and backers. The founder is widely regarded as one of Italy's top young restaurateurs, a credential the brand now leverages as it expands into new markets.

The London opening fits into a broader international growth strategy the company has pursued since its early U.S. successes, a plan to establish a dense network of locations across major urban centers. With 48 stores worldwide and additional openings planned in the coming months, the brand aims to convert interest in Florentine flatbread into steady foot traffic at its new sites, including in the UK. The move comes as UK consumers increasingly seek authentic, shareable food experiences that blur the lines between fast food and artisanal dining, a market dynamic that has benefited similar concepts in recent years.