I've found San Lorenzo area to be one of the best of shopping, especially if shopping anything involving leather items such as purses, wallets, jackets, belts and vests. They have all of that plus a lot more.
The vendor carts lining street leading up from Piazza di San Lorenzo offers some real bargains, but be sure to carefully check on the quality of what you are purchasing. And, of course always offer less than what they initially offer to sell for as haggling is expect. You can usually buy anything for 1/3 to 1/2 off their initial asking price, but keep yourself aware of your surroundings. Keep your wallet, passport or other personal effects out of sight, located in places where pickpockets can't get at them. The San Lorenzo shopping area is loaded with pickpockets and these pickpockets are top notch professionals. Being the intrepid traveler that I am, I used to be able to spot them, but not anymore. They now disguise themselves as tourists, working in groups of four or five even using bait decoys like that poor looking beggar on the street who is only there in hopes that in the event you give them any money, you will then expose to the pickpocketing pros where or in which pocket you are stashing your loot.
The area also has a good number of restaurants, cafes and bistros. Having tried a number of them, I can say that the food is really very good and the service friendly. read more