Last year, Boston got its first taste of Florence when the award-winning All’antico Vinaio opened in the Back Bay. Now, the famed Italian sandwich shop is preparing to expand again.
The chain’s second shop in the city is slated to open at 330 Washington St in Boston’s Downtown Crossing, reports Boston Restaurant Talk. A licensing board hearing page reveals that the restaurant will occupy a 1,650-square-foot space on the ground floor, with seating for roughly 20 guests and an ordering counter.
Founded in 1989 by the Mazzanti family, All’antico Vinaio is celebrated for its signature schiacciata bread sandwiches—pillowy yet crisp and steaming fresh. The puff of rising steam—“Bada come la fuma” (“watch how it smokes”), as they say in Florence—has become a hallmark of the brand’s experience.
At Downtown Crossing, guests can look forward to the eatery’s signature sandwiches, such as the Caprese, Italian Hot, and Toscana, or build their own, stacking fresh vegetables, cheeses, spreads, and cured meats on steaming schiacciata. Though there won’t be a bar, the restaurant is also pursuing a beer and wine license.
The brand’s U.S. journey began in 2021 when the Mazzantis partnered with restaurateurs Joe Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali to launch New York City’s first All’antico Vinaio. Since then, the chain has expanded across New York, California, Nevada, Tennessee, and Boston’s Copley Square.
What Now Boston has reached out to All’antico Vinaio for further details and will provide updates as the opening approaches.
