The story
Tucked away on Via del Cardinale, Gagarin has become Livorno’s quiet star for street-food purists, holding a 4.8 rating and the devotion of local food hunters. Francesco Zini calls it the go-to spot for the classic 5 e 5 sandwich—a simple, delicious piece of the city’s culinary backbone. Meanwhile, Where The Foodies Go highlights the same shack as a historic bakery, family-run since the late Salvatore Chiappa, where you order the iconic 55 sandwich.
Both creators point to the same unassuming counter as the keeper of Livorno’s most cherished grab-and-go bite. Whether you ask for the 5 e 5 or the 55, you’re getting a warm, no-fuss sandwich from an old-school spot that feels more like a local secret than a tourist stop. It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder why you ever needed more than bread, filling, and a paper wrapper.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2022.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 2 dish mentions say about the food
The 5 e 5, a simple yet brilliant egg dish, steals the show here with its perfect texture and flavor. Across reviews, the food at Gagarin earns praise for its warm, unfussy soulfulness.
“This 5 e 5 is a classic Livorno sandwich — chickpea flatbread with roasted eggplant, simple and traditional. I paid 3.50 euros for it. You can taste the freshness of the eggplant, it has a real nice texture in the mouth, and the pepper gives it a spicy kick. It's the kind of sandwich you'd eat for a snack or even breakfast — it totally works. Reminds me of the pane e panelle in Palermo, these simple street foods that have their own charm.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Gagarin. Most active: Francesco Zini, Where The Foodies Go
Gagarin is the go-to spot for the iconic 5 e 5 sandwich, a simple but delicious street food classic that I loved.
Dishes mentioned
5 e 5
This 5 e 5 is a classic Livorno sandwich — chickpea flatbread with roasted eggplant, simple and traditional. I paid 3.50 euros for it. You can taste the freshness of the eggplant, it has a real nice texture in the mouth, and the pepper gives it a spicy kick. It's the kind of sandwich you'd eat for a snack or even breakfast — it totally works. Reminds me of the pane e panelle in Palermo, these simple street foods that have their own charm.
- Where The Foodies GoLoved
L di LIVORNO - Livorno Food Tour - 🇮🇹 "L'Italia dalla A alla Z" 🇮🇹 - Episodio 11 · @ 3:29
A historic bakery where you buy the iconic 55 sandwich, run by the family of the late Salvatore Chiappa.
Dishes mentioned
55
The 55 is a typical Livorno sandwich made with 'pane francese' — not a baguette, but a specific local bread — and filled with torta di ceci (chickpea flatbread). We got the pure version with pepper. Like the Sicilian panelle, I'm amazed this isn't dry. The bread is soft and doesn't stick, the torta is freshly made, still warm, with that touch of pepper that gives it a nice kick — creamy and satisfying. We paid €5 for the sandwich and a Spuma Bionda.
