The best restaurants Toscane

Three kilometres towards Florence, a historic restaurant because it was frequented by Niccolò Machiavelli during his exile. On the menu, a meticulous cuisine, both rustic and sincere, inspired by traditional Tuscan recipes.

Quite simply one of Italy's historic restoration sites, opened in 1782. For those who are looking for the best table in the city, there is no need to go any further. The products are unbeatable in terms of freshness, such as pasta, which is skilfully prepared every day in the kitchen. Local products are in the spotlight, and when ordering, it is difficult to make a choice. Dishes, such as spelt soup (zuppa di farro), have attracted famous characters: Giacomo Puccini, Ezra Pound, Mario Pannunzio, Princess Margaret of England...

Just a stone's throw from Piazza Grande, in one of the narrow streets of the historic center, this restaurant combines tradition and innovation in both its menu and decor. Welcoming and warm, the choice of colonial-style furnishings harmonizes perfectly with the red brick vaults and ancient well, a comfort that's sure to please! A kitchen where culinary know-how, accompanied by a touch of innovation, brings delicacy and balance to the recipes on offer. The freshness and quality of the ingredients used are paramount. Discover it for yourself!

In the heart of Florence, near Piazza della Signoria, a passage is required in this place founded in the 1960s. The sandwiches in this osteria are legendary! The local bread, schiacciata, is garnished with the ingredients of your choice (the selection is vast: cheeses, sausages, vegetables, homemade creams such as those with truffles or artichokes). Be creative! Otherwise, choose the best-seller: the Favolosa. Some even say that if you didn't go to All'Antico Vinaio, you didn't really go to Florence.

A historic site, recently restructured, which showcases testimonies of the past such as the "sala del Buco", where you can admire ^14th-century frescoes and the well dating back to 1711. A warm and welcoming place to savour traditional Tuscan recipes: tripe Florentine style, ossobuco, not forgetting tagliata and bistecca alla fiorentina cooked on a charcoal grill. Pastas and pastries are homemade, and the cellar boasts 200 labels. Its terrace on Florence's most famous square is a real treat!

This small family trattoria is very frequented by the locals who come to enjoy simple, tasty and cheap. No routine, the menu changes every day.

Not to be missed near the cathedral! A small charming restaurant that has quickly attracted both Florentine and tourist customers. The room is decorated with care and delicacy. Just look at the entrance to understand that the owners pay the same attention to detail as their customers, and the vaulted rooms lit by large French windows add a more harmonious touch. A quality menu, good Tuscan cuisine based on fresh food, a real delight. Another highlight: their pizza, an exceptional dough!

In the heart of the historic centre of Siena, a few steps from Piazza del Campo, the restaurant of the Gallo Nero ("Black Rooster", which is the historical emblem of Chianti) is worth a visit on its own. The room in the basement is an old pantry dating from the 13th century, when meat merchants kept it under salt. Today, the room is beautifully furnished with stained glass windows. The map also provides a beautiful overview of the region's specialities. In addition, there is a wide choice of delicious gluten-free dishes on the menu.

Authentic Tuscan cuisine, some of whose recipes are taken from medieval cuisine, such as the famous carabaccia (onion soup). There is no lack of specialties. Not to be missed: the delicious potatoes alla carabaccia. Don't miss the homemade pasta, especially alla chiantigiana (with a meat sauce spiced with local flavors), all washed down with chianti, the tagliata (prime rib) and other types of meat cooked over charcoal. Homemade desserts and a very good list of regional wines. Nice terrace.

If the place is pleasant and neat, in a bistro spirit, the dishes offered at Pepò, such as ribollita (a typical Tuscan vegetable soup) orbaccalà (cod in tomato sauce, served only on Fridays), are typical and exquisite. Vegetarian dishes also. Not to spoil anything, the service is all smiles, the prices are wise considering the quality of the food and the location, just a stone's throw from the Mercato Centrale. A glass is brought spontaneously if you wait on the sidewalk to have your table because yes, the address is running!

Opened in 1960, this restaurant-wine bar has a terrace on a small quiet square, as well as a very beautiful counter, where you can enjoy an excellent pizza cooked over a wood fire or a succulent pasta dish: tagliatelle with mushrooms and mint, fagottini with pecorino and pears... For dessert, tiramisu is highly recommended. As for wines, the cellar has no less than 150 labels, enough to satisfy the most demanding customers. The atmosphere is most pleasant, with a subdued light and a decor that is both modern and patina.

Considered the oldest trattoria in the city, this restaurant, founded in 1875, belongs to the Florentine tradition. Appreciated by Montale and Quasimodo, it hosts the annual scientific prize for olive oil and wine; a good sign for the cuisine of this institution, an integral part of a visit to Florence. Tuscan specialities are served: rigaglie alla salvia and its involtini of meat and artichoke, trippa, bistecca alla fiorentina, not to mention traditional meats such as wild boar, roe deer, all served with quality wines.

Pasta lovers will appreciate this address, located near Santa Maria Novella piazza, and ideal for a good meal. In addition to the smiling welcome, and the retro 1930s style decoration, the fresh pasta is prepared daily before your eyes and admirably cooked. Ravioli, tagliatelle, spaghetti, pappardelle, tortelloni, pici or gnocchi... It's hard to make a choice! A few vegetarian dishes (hot or cold) complete the range of this good-natured table. And besides, it's open every day.

Restaurant located in the historic heart of Florence, between Piazza della Signoria and the Cathedral. This is a very busy address, so it's advisable to make a reservation as places are limited. For a candlelit dinner in a warm atmosphere, served by very attentive staff, romance is guaranteed! Apart from this special care for the customer, the strong point of this address remains its cuisine based on traditional Tuscan recipes: the quality is top-notch and the meat excellent, like the bistecca alla fiorentina, a real delight not to be missed! Dishes that stand out for their quality and effortless presentation. A pleasant discovery.

From the outside, this restaurant is a bit of a feast factory, with its legion of terrace tables. The advantage is that prices are low for the quantity of food served. But inside, it's a different world. That of the sea. With such a pronounced marine decor, the menu is bound to follow suit. Fish is the house specialty. Next door, Il Piccolo Tito offers take-away meals (fried seafood and pizzas).

The temple of the mythical bistecca alla Fiorentina, located in the heart of the historic district, very close to the cathedral. To the delight of the carnivorous, this former antique shop, opened in 1875 (now transferred to Piazza Massimo D'Azeglio), has become a dashing steak house with a chic brocante decor. Grilled over an open fire, seasoned with coarse salt and herbs, carved before your eyes, juicy and exceptionally tender, the local Chianina prime rib continues to be a Florence staple.

Not far from the Renaissance Medici-Riccardi palace, halfway between Piazza San Lorenzo and Piazza San Marco, this very pretty pizzeria will not leave you indifferent. Already by its friendly atmosphere and its intimate decoration. Then, on the pizza side, the original flavours and local organic products are a hit. There are few tables, so it is better to come early or book. Simbiosi is also a pretty café, with glass floors and stone walls, as well as an organic pasta restaurant for lovers of delicious homemade pasta.

An address that stands out! The young owners have given it a quality identity, offering freshness and zero mileage raw material: a considerable asset in offering dishes with Florentine aromas. A culinary journey through local artisanal products, between delicatessen, meat and cheese... a delight! The place is bright and friendly, decorated with simplicity, with an open kitchen. Very nice and pleasant the few tables outside, on the charming square of San Pier Maggiore, next to the Arco di San Pierino.

This restaurant is part of the short list of quality addresses in the centre of Florence, a stone's throw from the cathedral. The period architecture and elegant decoration make it a choice stopover. On one side of the entrance, a beautiful exhibition of the best wines of the region, and on the other side, a small lounge where magazines on Tuscan cuisine are freely read. The excellence of its cuisine has established its reputation, particularly for its fresh products and homemade pasta. We love burrataravioli on a bed of pestoand onion cream!

Ideally located between piazza dei Miracoli and piazza dei Cavalieri, a stone's throw from the Tower, this small family-run restaurant has a simple, unpretentious front, but as soon as the plates arrive, it's easy to be charmed by the flavors of Tuscan gastronomy. On the menu, stocked with quality ingredients: pici (hand-rolled pasta resembling large spaghetti), beef tagliata, ricotta and spinach ravioli, mushrooms and truffles in season... Served in a lovely vaulted setting by a friendly team.

Here's a wine shop that doesn't neglect its cuisine in favor of its wines! Prices may seem a little high, but the quality is top-notch, and there's no cover charge (a rarity in the area!). The restaurant also boasts a terrace.

Very nice sifted decor, recommended for a romantic evening. But that's not all! Chef Beatrice Segoni innovates with her menu combining traditional Tuscan dishes with vegetarian recipes. The presentation of the dishes is meticulous, precise and refined, such as risotto with pigeon, guinea fowl with mushrooms and its mint and lemongrass polenta or vegan dessert. As for wine, let Simone Loguercio, best sommelier of Tuscany 2018, guide you. A chic landmark to discover, in a quiet alleyway, a few steps from the San Lorenzo basilica.

A well-known Florentine restaurant with a large shaded terrace, located in a lively neighbourhood on a characteristic small square. A warm welcome, a finely decorated interior that respects the tradition of trattorie and classic Tuscan recipes. A good place to enjoy its aromas and flavours in a friendly atmosphere. A menu that stands out for its know-how and quality. And for those in a hurry, the corner café next door, from the same owner, offers excellent sandwiches and fast food.

La Bandita is an elegant 19th century Tuscan villa, immersed in a lush natural setting, five minutes from the small village of Sassetta. Its restaurant, Le Bouganvillea, with its excellent and justified reputation, prepares a cuisine with local flavours using only products from the surrounding agricultural production. All good stuff! In addition, the cellar offers a variety of Tuscan wines that will delight all palates. The property grows its own vegetables, produces its own olive oil and has a cattle farm. All the good stuff we tell you!

The hotel Teatro has 2 welcoming rooms and a small terrace which allows you to enjoy the pleasant night atmosphere in the beautiful season. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The service is fast and professional. The dishes, typically Toscans, based on meat or fish and fresh produce, are very rich and of high quality: it feels like it! An address not to be missed.

Since summer 2018, the majestic Leopoldo Palace, nestled in the medieval heart of Radda in Chianti, has housed a small but elegant restaurant, managed by the Rossinelli family. Here you can taste a sunny, tasty, simple Tuscan cuisine with a view of the rolling hills of Chianti. Antipasti, pappardelle al cinghiale, osso buco or tagliata di manzo seduce without forcing the note. The benevolent, efficient and well advised service for the wine is very pleasant. And, in fine, special mention for the tiramisù, downright smooth.

Set in a period palace with stone vaults, in the historic heart of Pisa, this welcoming restaurant offers menus of di terra (earth), di puddle (sea) and greenery (vegetables), good, original and at very fair prices. It is one of the best tables in the city, set in a very refined historical setting, which combines tradition and creativity. The presentation of the plates is just as well worked out and successful. Reservations are strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.

A generous cuisine, rooted in the local soil and tradition, with fish as a strong point, but also seafood and excellent fresh stuffed pasta. Well, the desserts aren't bad either!In the picturesque medieval centre of Giglio Castello, this family restaurant (and renowned) enjoys a panoramic view of Campese Bay and the blue sea. A real painting.... To accompany this sweet moment, there is nothing better than a wine list provided to enjoy the sunset all the more.

Giglio Rosso was born as a simple food shop in 1928, to become over the years the restaurant of today. Its four rooms can accommodate up to 100 people. There are many specialities. Not to be missed among others, the artisanal pasta made every morning but also the famous ribollita al pomodoro, the pappardelle al cinghiale and the fettuccine with porcini funghi, not to mention the fresh fish dishes. Large choice of delicatessen and quality cheeses. The cellar provides the best Tuscan and Italian wines.

In Acquacheta, you will find an authentic, typical and family setting. This good Montepulciano restaurant, particularly famous, offers you some of the region's specialities, such as courgette flowers with ricotta and mint, fiorentina cooked on charcoal, tagliatelle with fresh mushrooms, in season. Because here, the menu changes every week! Especially recommended for lovers of fresh meat and pasta, prepared by Anna every morning. A frank and warm welcome from the boss, Giulio Ciolfi.

One of the oldest restaurants in the city, a historic and essential address for the quality of its dishes and its privileged position in front of the cathedral... what more could you ask for? A history that has lasted since 1882 and despite its notoriety, the restaurant has managed to preserve its Tuscan soul without omitting a little innovation. To try, tortelloni stuffed with smoked scamorza with saffron potato cream and courgettes. The terrace on the cathedral square is a privilege, otherwise the room offers a Tuscan setting with its red brick vaults.

Very good homemade cuisine for a rustic stopover, such as pollo al brunello, chicken marinated in the region's famous wine, and fresh products such as noble chianina, local beef. With its thirty years of experience, this characteristic trattoria, located in a medieval building bordering the Palazzo del Capitano, promises privileged moments around the flavours of the Tuscan countryside. Attentive and friendly service as a bonus.

We like the delicious cuisine of this traditional trattoria, with its traditional tavern feel, served on a pleasant terrace. Opened since 1994, Latte di Luna has had time to build a solid reputation in the city, but not only. Tourists and regulars are constantly involved throughout the year. On the menu are, among others, good fine meats, fresh pasta prepared every day, and comforting soups in winter, such as zuppa di pane, typical of Tuscany. In summer, remember to book!

During the summer period, this address is always crowded. The question is why. It is certainly not the quality of the dishes that attract the customer. Servers, young, dynamic or even funny, maybe. Moreover, they are the only ones who understand how they operate. Do not surprise if five different servers come to ask if the order has passed or see the numbered puck in the middle of the table change three times in the evening. Pasta dishes keep the road, but for the rest, it's better to bypass, especially lemon steak. The freshness of seafood saves the house. Fortunately, because the gastronomic offer of Castiglioncello is pretty thin.

Founded in 1929 and run by the de Filippis family, this restaurant is located in the historic center of Arezzo and takes its name from the nearby church, which houses Piero della Francesca's famous frescoes. A pleasant, refined atmosphere in an impressive Renaissance setting, and traditional, flavorful cuisine on the menu. Highly recommended by locals. The menu is always well-stocked and offers a pleasant tour of local gastronomy, inspired by old cookery books.

Good pickaxe! A family restaurant, with a summer terrace, located in the historic centre of Montepulciano. The address offers a pretty menu of regional specialities, where fresh pasta, all desserts, bread, jams, biscuits and some liqueurs are prepared homemade. Good cuisine, while respecting seasonality. A friendly and smiling welcome, the team is involved. To be mentioned, some fish dishes à la carte as well as pizzas cooked in the wood oven, and a special attention to vegetarians.

A solid Florentineinstitution. The address has existed since 1872... It is one of Florence's most popular tables for quick meals, located on the ground floor of the Mercato Centrale. Lampredotto, trippa alla fiorentina, panino con bollito (boiled beef sandwich, dipped in gravy just before being served), pasta, salads, vegetables, or even small dishes, at an unbeatable price in the area. A word of advice: in summer, try to get there before noon, because then the place is crowded. A culinary experience to do!

Located in the ancient village of Varlungo, just five minutes from the historic center, il Vecchio Cigno is a great opportunity to get off the beaten track and enjoy authentic, affordable cuisine in a Florentine atmosphere. Situated on the banks of the Arno, it's an old Tuscan house that has retained its rustic style. Natural cuisine based on fresh produce for typically Florentine dishes: fresh pasta, meat cooked over the coals in front of the customers and, to finish, homemade cakes. A must for gourmets!

In the district of Sant'Ambrogio, in front of the market, the elegant and authentic bistro Gilda offers a typical Florence cuisine, closely following the seasons. The welcome is warm, by Gilda herself, the mistress of the place. The recipes and cooking are precisely mastered: you will have to taste the pappa al pomodoro, a truly Tuscan dish. In fine weather, it is pleasant to have lunch on the terrace, but be careful, the tables are quickly taken over. The menu is in Italian, please do not hesitate to ask for advice.

Originally from Pavana, a small town in the province of Pistoia, in northern Tuscany, Savigni butchers work according to the oldest Tuscan traditions and provide the finest meat (including the famous and tasty Cinta Senese). A real family story, initiated by Fausto in 1985! You will have the chance to taste their products on the first floor of the Mercato Centrale. The opportunity to choose porchetta, a real treat, or beef tartare with truffles, just as delicious, and all nicely priced.

A place well known in Florence for many years that differs from the traditional trattoria with a refined approach to Tuscan recipes in an elegant setting. A delicate cuisine that adapts to everyone, between fish, meat or vegetarian dishes, prepared with fresh seasonal products. At lunchtime: an abundant dish and a dessert, the ideal formula at the right price. In the evening, an à la carte menu is offered to taste the house's specialities. All this is accompanied by wines selected by the owner, for a discovery of new wines.

In the historic centre of Volterra, the address is elegant, beautifully rustic, and serves a quality cuisine. For an intimate meal, this is the place to go. It is the restaurant that comes to mind first when it comes to asking the inhabitants what is the best address in the city. Once served, it is easy to understand why. The dishes are generously generous, and paradoxically light. The sign of good food.

Pasta lovers must stop off at this pretty spaghetteria. On the menu: pasta, pasta and... pasta! The chef focuses on fresh ingredients: homemade pasta and fresh stuffed pasta. This little restaurant is located in the historic center of Pisa, behind the San Pierino church, on the piazza Cairoli (ex piazza della Berlina). The house specialty is giropasta: a tasting of a choice of four pasta dishes served in Tuscan-style pans. A good idea if you can't decide!