Unsurprisingly, the best meal that I have ever had was at Mercato Centrale in Florence, Italy. I am literally obsessed with pasta, and I knew if I was going to Italy I NEEDED to have some during my time there (literally, I would not let myself go on a plane and come home without it).

After receiving a deeply favourable review from my travel guide, I walked forty minutes through narrow pebbled streets (I got lost twice), when I reached my rather dodgy looking location of an old railway station.

To my pleasant surprise, this is arguably one of the most attractive places in Florence. Within the large dining hall, my eyes instantly drew towards the large banner of ‘PASTA’ above an open and inviting kitchen stall.

Running to the queue and leaving everyone else behind, my eyes watered at the sight of the chefs cooking the pasta on the spot.

After intense contemplation and life-altering decision making, I chose the 3 cheese gnocchi, which concluded with 4 as I opted for extra parmesan cheese on top. Knowing my eyes have always been bigger than my belly, I instead ignored this fact due to my love of both cheese and potato.

The succulence of the gnocchi’s outer shell and the stuffed cheese is still a memory I am able to recall several months after eating it.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that you really shouldn’t leave Italy until you have tried some authentic pasta (unless you’re gluten or lactose intolerant but even so I’d push through it).

If you are in Florence for even just a day like I was, take the time to visit this incredible haven of food – chances are you won’t regret it.