One of the most viral sandwich shops in Europe has finally opened in Sydney and everyone is understandably losing their minds.If you’ve been to Italy, chances are you’ve heard of All’Antico Vinaio, the world-renowned sandwich shop that originated in 1991 in Florence.Pre social media, it was attracting mammoth lines with locals and tourists alike eager to get their hands on the iconic schiacciata – a traditional Tuscan flatbread baked with olive oil and salt that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.After all these years, it’s still going strong with more than 60 stores across Italy, France, North America, the Middle East and now … Australia. Founder and CEO Tommaso Mazzanti decided to bring his humble family sandwich shop to the heart of Sydney in Pitt St with chef and MasterChef TV host Andy Allen, as well as Jonny Stewart and Ali Mattar from Fladgate Hospitality Group, at the helm.“It was really by chance that I got involved,” Andy told news.com.au.“I was over in Rome a few years ago, ate the sandwich (and fell in love with it like everyone else) and put it on my social media as you do.”He then received a private message from Johnny and Ali saying they were in the process of getting the store to Australia and would love for him to join them in meeting with the All’Antico team in Florence. “At first, I didn’t know if they were being serious,” Andy said. But he decided to go and “it all just started from there”. “It’s been two years in the making so it makes it even more special when you see people enjoying it so much – it’s just such an iconic brand,” Andy said.The doors to the Sydney store officially opened on July 27 and it was “absolutely heaving”.Social media has been inundated with clips showing off the new store and sandwiches.“OMG!! This looks absolutely delicious!!” one person wrote on TikTok.“They look so good,” another added.The new location serves up all of the authentic menu items the brand has been known for since its first shop appeared beneath Palazzo Vecchio more than three decades ago.Andy said there’s 15 schiacciata to choose from, including the viral Paradiso made with mortadella, stracciatella, pistachio pesto and chopped pistachio, and the Australian-only Sydney Special, comprised of Papandrea’s award-winning wagyu bresaola, parmesan and rocket.“The bread is like no other – it’s got a really crisp finish and it’s not too bready either,” Andy said. “I am not going to lie, you pay a decent penny for it – the sandwiches are anywhere from $19 right up to $28 but they’re massive and are a premium product.”Andy said the quality ingredients are like no other.“There’s a mix of things that we can import into Australia. There is a new law that stops people from importing cooked goods into Australia like cooked pork goods. “So, we’ve actually sent out two suppliers to All’Antico in Florence to perfect the porchetta and one of the salamis.“It was awesome for Tommaso to taste it when he came out here – he gave us a massive tick of approval.”Paradiso is All’Antico’s highest-selling sandwich with more than 250,000 sold Europe and the UK alone in 2026. You can also expect it on the Aussie store’s menu. But it’s the signature Favolosa, with its soft and crumbly Tuscan sbriciolona salami, pecorino cream, artichoke cream and spicy aubergines, that’s Andy’s favourite. “It was the first ever sandwich made back in 1991 when they opened – the ingredients are just beautiful and simple.He said while there’s lots of sandwich shops in Sydney, there’s none like All’Antico Vinaio.“The brand attached to it, the quality of the sandwiches – there’s a lot of similarities out there but in terms of true Tuscan schiacciata, there’s nothing like it and I am one of the lucky ones to be part of it.”Read related topics:Sydney