Il Salumaio La Massaia

££££ │ Panini (Sandwiches) & Lunch plates, Beers, Wine & Soft Drinks

Open All Day │ Directions & Opening Times on Google

A stone's throw from Porta San Biagio is Il Salumaio La Massaia. From the outside it's pretty easy to miss so do have a look at the picture above if you can't find it.

We had no idea what to make of the place the first time we went, and I've been back several times since and still don't know either. What I do know, is that their food is freakin tasty, and though it's not quite on my walk to work, I often take a detour, just to grab a Panino - they're soo good!

It's kinda a classic salumeria, as you walk in there's a big counter with lots of delicious hanging meats and bottles of local wine dotted around the place.

There's a board in front of the cassa (till) with a list of Panini for you to choose from. But you wanna see this list. It's mental. There are mad combinations you've never heard of, sandwiches with meat and kiwi and a random local cheese. If you can summon up the courage to order something that you barely understand I heartily recommend you do, because it'll blow you mind. I have a tendency to be a bit closed minded my choices, I always get the same gelato, the same pizzas etc. Il Salumaio La Massaia is the perfect antidote to this menu-pessimism and when I go in, I pretty much point randomly at the board/specials and let them do the rest. It's always spectacular, and a reminder that when in the hands of people who know what they're doing, sometimes it's best to just go along for the ride.