Pisa
For generous-sized pizza (€4 to €12), cooked in a proper, wood-burning oven, and burgers (€10 to €12) washed down with a local craft beer, you won't do…
Must-see restaurants in Tuscany
Northwestern Tuscany
This traditional trattoria, just off central Piazza Palestro, is the place to feast on crostini caldi con lardo (warm toasts topped with lardo),…
Northwestern Tuscany
A fashionably spartan, appealingly retro interior ensures nothing distracts from the business at hand at this bottega con cucina (shop with kitchen):…
San Gimignano
The Bertelli family has lived in San Gimignano since 1779, and its current patriarch is fiercely proud of both his heritage and his sandwiches. Salami,…
Montalcino
We thought about keeping shtum about this place (everyone loves to keep a secret or two), but it seemed selfish not to share our love for its pasta dishes…
Pisa
When you tire of traditional Tuscan (or touristy Tuscan), recharge taste buds with an imaginative pizza or burger at this contemporary waterfront cellar…
Siena
Serving fruit and vegetables grown in the surrounding cooperative organic farm, this rustic eatery is an excellent spot for lunch – when soup and pasta…
Arezzo
Tucked behind the Cappella Bacci, this gourmet panini bar has Zen-styled decor and a choice of sandwiches filled with fish, cheese, meats (pork, rabbit),…
Oltrarno
Exceptional dishes come out of the kitchen of this humble family-run gem in San Frediano, pleasantly off the beaten tourist track. Meat and fish get joint…
Elba
Fish drives the menu of this traditional osteria (casual tavern) – no wonder, as the boats that land it are moored right outside. Traditional dishes such…
Chianti
Tuscan menus are dominated by meat dishes, so the existence of this upmarket cantinetta, which focusses on seafood, comes as a pleasant surprise. We…
Volterra
Contemporary cuisine is the exception rather than the rule here in Volterra, so the existence of this modern bistro next to the town's walls is cause for…
Siena
The name says it all. Prosciutto is the focus here, served in panini or on a taglieri (tasting board); cheese is an optional extra. Order to take away –…
Val d'Orcia
There aren't any vineyard views at this winery restaurant, but there's plenty of atmosphere. A particularly welcoming choice in the cooler months, when…
Southern Tuscany
Orbetello's fish cooperative restaurant may lack frills but it makes amends with the freshness of its lagoon-caught seafood. Grab a ticket, tick off your…
Chianti
Located in a hamlet 2km above Greve, this well-regarded trattoria has six indoor tables and a hillside terrace overlooking cypresses, olive trees and…
Southern Tuscany
The aromas emanating from the kitchen door off Via Zuccarelli should be enough to draw you down the stairs and into the cosy dining rooms, which are…
Elba
The floor-to-ceiling windows at this formal, hillside restaurant at the lower end of Poggio village create the sense of eating in a classy treehouse,…
Volterra
Its blindingly white, ultra-utilitarian interior is miles away from the trattorias found elsewhere in Volterra, but this fast-food joint has one major…
Arezzo
Contemporary Italian cooking is on offer at this game-changing restaurant in central Arezzo. Design lovers are wooed by the minimalist interior with part…
Pistoia
A timeless faithful, Pistoia's traditional enoteca (wine bar) promises hearty Tuscan fare in the company of excellent wine and a staunchly local crowd…
Livorno
Its name means 'the Anchor', an acknowledgement of this building's history as a 17th-century marine workshop. The vaulted-brick interior is atmospheric,…
Arezzo
Located near the railway station, this much-loved trattoria is cosy in winter when its vaulted, red-brick cellar setting comes into its own. Cuisine is…
Pisa
This small bistro on a pretty square, well away from the Leaning Tower crowd, is the perfect fusion of easy dining and gourmet excellence. Its menu is…
Siena
The name means 'Whaddya want?' and the answer is simple – cheap and tasty food prepared fast and served in pleasant surrounds. Beloved of local students,…
Oltrarno
This contemporary pizza space in San Frediano is an inspirational cocktail of perfect pizza, delicious craft beers brewed by small producers and striking…
Livorno
Harbour workers are the first to fill the long wooden tables at this unpretentious osteria (casual tavern), with other locals following close behind…
Chianti
Sit inside the 18th-century villa or on the terrace of the restaurant on the Castello di Ama wine estate to enjoy rustic dishes featuring vegetables grown…
Siena
Operating since 1901, this farmer's co-op is a rich emporium of food and wine, much of it locally produced. Self-caterers can source meat from the on-site…
Elba
They work the pizza chef so hard here that the dining room sometimes has a smoky tinge. To go local, start with a lip-smacking plate of torta di ceci …
Volterra
Owner Jonni is a fifth-generation member of the Guarguaglini family, owners of the Frantoio dei Colli Toscani olive estate. His casual bistro and wine bar…
Florence
Florentines flock to this family-run restaurant in Maiano, a village 8km north of Florence near Fiesole, at weekends to indulge in long and lazy, wine…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
