Must-see restaurants in Tuscany

  • La Taverna dei Poeti

    Elba

    Much-loved by locals, this traditional address sees chef Massimo cook up the very best of Tuscan produce with a generous peppering of simplicity. The menu…

  • Obicà

    Duomo & Piazza della Signoria

    Given its exclusive location in Palazzo Tornabuoni, this designer address is naturally ubertrendy – even the table mats are upcycled from organic products…

  • Borderline

    Santa Maria Novella

    From the team behind San Marco's iconic Antica Trattoria da Tito (around since 1913), Borderline is a stylish advocate of Tuscan culinary tradition…

  • Buca di Sant'Antonio

    Lucca

    Gosh, what a fabulous collection of copper pots is strung from the wood-beamed ceiling! This atmosphere-laden restaurant has wooed romantic diners since…

  • Caffè degli Svizzeri

    The Lunigiana

    This historic cafe overlooking Pontremoli's central square opened in 1842 and was given an art-nouveau makeover in 1910 that has been lovingly restored…

  • La Novella

    Southern Tuscany

    Located on the road between Massa Marittima and the coast, this local favourite is a great place to source picnic provisions including filled panini …

  • Manzo

    San Lorenzo & San Marco

    In keeping with the city's current steakhouse trend, contemporary Manzo offers a feisty selection of burgers, tartare and meat cuts. Its tagliata (thin…

  • Da Ruggero

    Boboli & San Miniato al Monte

    A 10-minute stroll through Boboli Gardens (or along the street from Porta Romana) uncovers this trattoria, run by the gracious Corsi family since 1981 and…

  • Ristorante Le Capezzine

    Montepulciano

    The restaurant at Fattoria Le Capezzine only has 30 seats, so bookings are essential if you're keen to sample chef Luca Biancucci's creations, many of…

  • Rinuccio 1180

    Chianti

    Built on the rooftop of the sleek Antinori winery, this restaurant seats diners on an expansive outdoor terrace with a 180-degree Dolby-esque surround of…

  • Il Giardino di Piero

    Eastern Tuscany

    Be it the locally bred cinta senese pork, Chianina beef or pecorino cheese, everything is 100% organic at this enticing restaurant. Summertime tables sit…

  • Calistro

    Boboli & San Miniato al Monte

    Tortello alla lastra (wheat-flour pastry with topping), a traditional pizza-like snack from the Casentino, is the speciality of this ingenious little…

  • Il Magazzino

    Oltrarno

    This unassuming brick-walled osteria on one of the Oltrarno's prettiest squares is top choice for foodies in search of the Florentine tripe experience…

  • Olio

    Oltrarno

    A key address on any gastronomy agenda: your taste buds will tingle at the sight of the legs of ham, conserved truffles, wheels of cheese, artisanal bread…

  • Il Giova

    Santa Croce

    Pocket-sized and packed, this cheery trattoria with marigold walls and colourful ceramic-tiled tables is everything a traditional Florentine eating place…

  • Il Mercato del Pesce

    Livorno

    For affordable seafood waterside, make a beeline for this sea-blue shack with plastic tables and chairs overlooking a canal in 'Little Venice'. A Marshall…

  • Enoteca I Terzi

    Siena

    Close to the Campo but off the well-beaten tourist trail, this enoteca (wine bar) is located in a vaulted medieval building but has a contemporary feel…

  • 4 Leoni

    Oltrarno

    A faithful byword for quality Tuscan fare: older Florentines mention this place with a satisfied smile. And indeed, 4 Leoni is a reliable choice for meats…

  • Trattoria Fonte Giusta

    Siena

    The huge slabs of Chianina beef displayed in a refrigerated cabinet in the window signals one of the specialities at this family-run trattoria on the…

  • L'Hamburgheria di Eataly

    Lucca

    A clever mix of fast and slow food, this modern Eataly eatery cooks up gourmet burgers crafted from Tuscany's signature Chianina beef alongside a…

  • Bistro Falorni

    Chianti

    Italians do fast food differently, and what a wonderful difference it is. Greve's famous macelleria (butcher) and gourmet-provision shop operates this…

  • L'Ostellino

    Pisa

    For a gourmet panino (sandwich) wrapped in crunchy waxed paper, this minuscule deli and panineria delivers. Take your pick from dozens of different combos…

  • Enoteca Osteria Osticcio

    Montalcino

    In a town overflowing with enoteche, this is definitely one of the best. Choose a bottle from a huge selection of Italian and European wines on offer …

  • Trattoria Da Bussè

    The Lunigiana

    This Slow Food favourite has been run by the same family since the 1930s, and its original decor is charmingly old world. The regional menu includes torta…

  • Morbidi

    Siena

    Famed for top-quality produce, Morbidi's excellent-value basement lunch buffet (12.15pm to 2.30pm Monday to Saturday) includes freshly prepared antipasti,…

  • Osteria dell'Enoteca

    Oltrarno

    With its vintage red-brick walls, taupe table linen and contemporary lighting, this osteria near Palazzo Pitti is the perfect fusion of old and new. And…

  • Trippaio Sergio Pollini

    Santa Croce

    For a fast munch-on-the-move follow Florentines to this trippaio (mobile tripe stand) for a tripe panino (sandwich). Think cow's stomach chopped up,…

  • Il Desco

    San Lorenzo & San Marco

    Be it the fruity extra virgin olive oil straight from the restaurant farm in the Regello hills, the creamy pecorino that pairs so handsomely with…

  • La Bucaccia

    Cortona

    Occupying the medieval stable of a Renaissance palazzo, Cortona's best-regarded restaurant has close-set tables where diners enjoy refined versions of…

  • Il Trippaio del Porcellino

    Duomo & Piazza della Signoria

    This tripe cart, located by the city's famous bronze boar on the southwest corner of Mercato Nuovo, has been here for at least a century. Street chef…

  • Chilometro Toscano

    Pisa

    With its soul-soaringly high stone-vaulted ceiling and lavish deli display of Tuscan cheeses and salamis, this contemporary wine bar and eatery is hard to…

  • Trattoria da Leo

    Lucca

    Veteran Leo is famed for its friendly ambience and cheap food – ranging from plain-Jane acceptable to grandma delicious. Enticing sides include baked…

  • Trattoria Marione

    Santa Maria Novella

    For the quintessential 'Italian dining' experience, Marione is gold. It's busy, it's noisy, it's 99.9% local and the cuisine is right out of nonna's…

  • Ristorante Galileo

    Pisa

    For good, honest, unpretentious Tuscan cooking, nothing beats this classical old-timer. From the cork-covered wine list to the complimentary plate of warm…

  • Club Culinario Toscano

    Santa Croce

    When an eatery is synonymous with a 'culinary club' you know it's gonna be good. Wholesome, hand-made tortelli (large ravioli-like pasta cushions) stuffed…

  • Osteria La BotteGaia

    Pistoia

    Dishes range from staunchly traditional to experimental at this Slow Food–hailed osteria, famed for its finely butchered cured meats and interesting wine…

  • Osteria del Castello

    Chianti

    Modern twists on classic Tuscan dishes are the focus at this osteria on the Castello di Brolio estate. The food here is light and full of flavour, made…

  • Tamerò

    Oltrarno

    A happening pasta bar on Florence's hippest square: admire chefs at work in the open kitchen while you wait for a table. A buoyant, party-loving crowd…

  • Surfer Joe

    Lucca

    Find Lucca's beautiful, young, music-loving things lingering over burgers, pancakes, smoothies and all-day breakfasts at this fun, all-day hangout – a…

  • Hosteria del Borgo

    Southern Tuscany

    The view from the terrace of this friendly osteria (casual tavern) is simply spectacular, making it a particularly popular choice in fine weather. The…