EATALY is a select shop dedicated to Made in Italy products. During my visit to the Florence location, I discovered some reasonably priced Italian souvenirs that would make wonderful gifts for yourself or friends.
- Orange-scented soap and hand cream
- Pistachio spread
- Cypress and sandalwood soap
- Summary
Orange-Scented Soap and Hand Cream
I found this soap and hand cream at Eataly in Florence. The fresh orange scent is wonderfully pleasant, and the packaging is absolutely charming. Each was priced at around 5 euros.
For comparison, at Santa Maria Novella — whose flagship store is in Florence — a slightly smaller soap costs 12 euros. These Eataly products offer Made in Italy quality at a much more accessible price.
You can find Italian soap and hand cream on Amazon.com.
Pistachio Spread
A pistachio spread is one of the most characteristically Italian products worth taking home. This one is not overly sweet, with a rich and concentrated pistachio flavor. Spread it on bread or drizzle it over gelato. Price was around 10 euros.
Find Italian pistachio spread on Amazon.com.
Cypress and Sandalwood Soap
The cypress tree is an iconic part of the Tuscan landscape, and this soap (on the right) captures its distinctive fragrance. Alongside it was a sandalwood soap. Prices were around 5 euros and 3 euros respectively.
Both have a strong, lasting fragrance and are generously sized. The cypress soap has a refined, elegant scent that most people find immediately appealing — highly recommended as a gift.
Summary
Eataly has locations in New York and other international cities, but the Italian stores carry a much broader selection — many products are not exported. Everything sold at Eataly is Made in Italy, giving it the character of a premium specialty market. In terms of positioning, it is somewhat similar to Dean & DeLuca in the US.
Eataly also carries Italian chocolates and other gourmet products — perfect for stocking up on souvenirs. Be sure to check the sale corner for great deals.
Plan Your Florence Food Experience
Florence is one of Italy’s great culinary cities. A guided food tour is a wonderful way to explore the local flavors and markets. Book ahead as popular tours sell out quickly.