Val d'Orcia
Sometimes simple dishes are the hardest to perfect. And perfection is the only term to use when discussing this trattoria in Brunello heartland. Watching…
Must-see restaurants in Central Tuscany
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Montepulciano
Chef and cookbook writer Sunshine Manitto presides over the kitchen of this chic enoteca overlooking the Palazzo Vecchio Winery, 13km northeast of…
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Volterra
L'Incontro's rear salone is a top spot to grab a quick antipasto plate or panino for lunch, and its front bar area is always crowded with locals enjoying…
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Chianti
The type of restaurant that fuels fantasies of moving permanently to Tuscany, Massimiliano Canton's ultrafriendly osteria bakes its own bread, makes pasta…
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Val d'Orcia
The founding members of this 1939 dopolavoro (recreational club) would be amazed to see its recent transformation. A stylish interior makeover has endowed…
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Montepulciano
Located just below Montepulciano, overlooking the Renaissance splendour of the Chiesa di San Biago, the town's best restaurant serves traditional dishes…
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Siena
Sauntering through Siena's historic centre is always more fun with a gelato in hand. Just ask one of the many locals who are regular customers at this…
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Osteria La Taverna di San Giuseppe
Siena
Any restaurant specialising in beef, truffles and porcini mushrooms attracts our immediate attention, but not all deliver on their promise. Fortunately,…
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Siena
The epitome of refined Sienese dining, Da Enzo, as it is popularly called, welcomes guests with a complimentary glass of prosecco (sparkling wine) and…
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San Gimignano
Nestled beneath the crumbling walls of the rocca, La Mandragola (The Mandrake) is deservedly popular – book ahead, especially if you're keen to dine in…
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Montalcino
Husband-and-wife team Antonio and Roberta run this relaxed eatery in the centre of town with great aplomb. Roberta's cooking is much more sophisticated…
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Chianti
The large terrace at this restaurant overlooks one of the Antinori vineyards and is perfect for summer dining. In winter, the elegant dining room comes…
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Central Tuscany
Known throughout the region for the affordability and excellence of its food, the Bear Bar bustles from morning to night and is a great place to grab a…
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Chianti
Family-run, this eyrie in the hilltop village of Lamole, 8km east of Panzano and 9km southeast of Greve, offers its diners one of the most spectacular…
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San Gimignano
Think of it less as ice cream, more as art. Former gelato world champion Sergio Dondoli is known for creations including Crema di Santa Fina (saffron…
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Val d'Orcia
The menu at this chic eatery is pared back in more ways than one: there are around four choices per course, presentation is minimalist and the emphasis is…
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Val d'Orcia
Dining on this gorgeous terrace with its panoramic view is the stuff of which lasting travel memories are made, and the food also has plenty of pizzazz –…
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Chianti
Offering a seasonally driven menu and boasting (of course) a wonderful wine list, this bistro in the Chianti complex seats diners in the former kitchen…
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Montalcino
A perfect example of the sleekly styled wine bar that is trending in Tuscany today, Franci offers a menu that takes more than a few liberties when…
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Ristorante Grotta di Santa Caterina da Bagoga
Siena
Pierino Fagnani ('Bagoga'), one of Siena's most famous Palio jockeys, swapped his saddle for an apron in 1973 and opened this much-loved restaurant. Now…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Chianti
Italians do fast food differently, and what a wonderful difference it is. Greve's famous macelleria (butcher) and gourmet-provision shop operates this…
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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 …
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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,…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 –…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
