Must-see restaurants in Tuscany

  • Osteria Barsanti 54

    Northwestern Tuscany

    Tucked away on a quiet lane, a two-minute stroll from Piazza del Duomo, this osteria is a refined temple to good Slow Food and wine. Zesty artichoke…

  • Dal Barone

    San Lorenzo & San Marco

    This hybrid wine bar–burger joint cooks up fantastic Chianina burgers and cold-cut platters. But it is its meaty, freshly made hot panini – to eat in or…

  • Ristorante Fidalma

    Southern Tuscany

    There's a lot to like at this barn-like restaurant just off Sorano's main piazza. The menu is dominated by home-style Maremmese dishes (expect lots of…

  • La Cucina di Eby's

    San Lorenzo & San Marco

    The perfect late-night munchie stop, this Mexican hangout is the cucina (kitchen) of colourful city bar Eby's, just across the street. Expect an equally…

  • Stilnovo

    Pistoia

    Squirrelled away in a wonderful old palazzo on a quiet side street, the cavernous chapel-like interior of this upmarket eatery is a mesmerising collage of…

  • La Carabaccia

    Volterra

    Mother and daughters Sara, Ilaria and Patrizia have put their heart and soul into this charming trattoria with a country-style interior and attractive…

  • Enoteca di Centro

    Central Coast & Elba

    When a wine bar is as friendly as this, the fact that it also serves great food comes as a delightful surprise. Michele Innocenti is a genial host and…

  • Antica Friggitoria

    Livorno

    It's rare to encounter a Livornese who isn't a fan of the delectable frati (doughnuts) and scagliozzi (fried polenta) that have been made at this simple…

  • Osteria Volpaia

    Chianti

    Herbs and vegetables from the estate's organic garden are used to excellent advantage in the dishes served at this highly regarded osteria (tavern) on the…

  • Il Latini

    Santa Maria Novella

    A veteran guidebook favourite built around traditional crostini, pappa al pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), Tuscan salami, fine pasta, Florentine tripe…

  • Trattoria dell'Abbondanza

    Pistoia

    Dine al fresco in a quiet street or plump for a table inside where homey collections of doorbells, pasta jars et al catch the eye at this enchanting Slow…

  • L'Osteria dei Quattro Gatti

    Elba

    In the maze of lanes leading off from the main square (Piazza Matteotti), hunt out the flower-framed deck of this osteria (casual tavern), which sets the…

  • La Taverna

    Val d'Orcia

    Occupying a vaulted cellar where oak barriques filled with Brunello were once aged, this elegant restaurant offers a menu of traditional but refined…

  • La Finestra

    Siena

    A finestra (window) onto Siena's historic open-air marketplace, this family-run business is notable for its pleasant streetside terrace and for the larger…

  • Ristorante Albergaccio

    Chianti

    Albergaccio bills its culinary approach as 'the territory on the table', and local seasonal produce certainly holds sway here. Once the proud possessor of…

  • Tre Cristi

    Siena

    Seafood restaurants are thin on the ground in this meat-obsessed region, so the long existence of Tre Cristi (it's been around since 1830) should be…

  • Gastronomica Il Cervo

    Arezzo

    Boasting an historic farmacia (pharmacy) sign on its facade, this budget restaurant near the Cappella Bacci is known for its daily spread of antipasti,…

  • Osteria di Passignano

    Chianti

    This elegant Michelin-starred eatery in the centre of Badia a Passignano has long been one of Tuscany's best-loved dining destinations. Intricate, Tuscan…

  • Osteria Acquacheta

    Montepulciano

    Hugely popular with locals and tourists alike, this bustling osteria specialises in bistecca alla fiorentina (chargrilled T-bone steak), which comes to…

  • Gilda Bistrot

    Santa Croce

    Lap up the bustling market vibe on the pavement terrace of this classic trattoria, much-loved for its traditional Tuscan cuisine made with zero-kilometre…

  • La Cantinetta di Rignana

    Chianti

    You might wonder, as you settle onto the terrace here, whether you've found your perfect Chianti lazy-lunch location. A historic mill forms the backdrop,…

  • La Cantina

    Chianti

    Head to this popular local hangout to feast on thin-crust pizzas that are so huge they hang over the rims of the plates they are served on – bring a big…

  • Osteria Il Vinaio

    Siena

    Wine bars are thin on the ground here in Siena, so it's not surprising that Bobbe and Davide's neighbourhood osteria (casual tavern) is so popular. Join…

  • La Taverna del Pittore

    Central Coast & Elba

    The Painter's Tavern has a rustic dining room that's full of charm, but the best tables are under the orange trees outside. The menu specialises in local…

  • Acquacotta

    San Lorenzo & San Marco

    With its red-and-white chequered tablecloths, terracotta tile floor and lace curtains, Acquacotta is everything a traditional Florentine eatery should be…

  • L'Osteria da Tronca

    Southern Tuscany

    Squeezed into a side street, this stone-walled restaurant specialises in the rustic dishes of the Maremma. Specialities include acquacotta (a hearty…

  • Bottega Conviviale

    Santa Croce

    With a superb wine list curated by Matteo, delicious wood-oven pizza and excellent modern Tuscan cuisine, this highly rated eatery seduces most tastebuds…

  • Pizza Da Felice

    Lucca

    This buzzing spot behind Piazza San Michele is where the locals come for wood-fired pizza, cecina (salted chickpea pizza) and castagnacci (chestnut cakes)…

  • Life Bistro

    Volterra

    Catering to vegans, vegetarians and anyone keen on organic plant-based cooking, this casual bistro stocks its bain-marie with an array of dishes that's…

  • Antico Travaglio

    Central Tuscany

    Boasting seating on the main piazza, on a rear terrace and in a former blacksmith's forge and stable, this sprawling business place has multiple strings…

  • Osteria delle Catene

    San Gimignano

    'The Prison' is as popular with San Gimignano locals as it is with visitors, something that can't be said of many places in this tourist-driven town. The…

  • Corte dei Pazzi

    Santa Croce

    It is the romantic, plant-filled summer courtyard out back that steals the show at this modern trattoria, the creation of Boston-raised Florentine Niccolò…

  • Gallo Nero

    Siena

    A bastion of traditional Sienese dining, the Gallo Nero has a vaulted brick interior, tasty food and a wine list brimming with local and regional drops…

  • Borgo Antico

    Eastern Tuscany

    Serving rustic dishes from Lazio and Tuscany, this frills-free tavern is an excellent lunch stop. The small menu includes tasty antipasti such as la…

  • Local Food Market

    Lucca

    The primary allure of this bright modern address is its hidden red-brick courtyard, complete with romantic potted lemon plants and parasol-shaded tables…

  • La Compagnia dei Vinattieri

    Siena

    Head down the stairs from Via delle Terme or through the side door on Via dei Pittori to enjoy a meal at this attractive basement eatery, which is known…

  • La Botte di Bacco

    Chianti

    A long-standing favourite, this romantic choice on the main road through Radda has a traditional interior but the menu has an untraditional tinge,…

  • Pozioni di Neve

    Southern Tuscany

    Its name means 'snow potions', and there are plenty of delectable icy concoctions (granita or crushed ice with natural flavour, sorbet and gelato) on…

  • Osteria Le Panzanelle

    Chianti

    An ideal lunch stop en route from Chianti to Siena, this friendly roadside inn on the SR222/SP2 5km south of Panzano serves traditional Tuscan dishes in…

  • Trattoria e Pizzeria Da Zucchetta

    Elba

    The setting is homely rather than smart (a couple of TVs show the nightly news), but the seafood here is top-notch. The gnocchi or pappardelle are packed…