Where to eat in Tuscany

Some Notes

How I rate the restaurants

Food, service and location are the main factors I consider, while the price influences my expectations

The Restaurants are in order of my preference.
I haven't tried every restaurant in the list, but if I have, there is a brief description of my experience and an overall Rating.

The votes are, obviously, coherent with the price I paid: I don't expect to have a Michelin-Starred dinner paying 30 euros.

Furthermore, I'm going to assume you're traveling with a car if you want to eat in Chianti (otherwise, how will you even get there?).

Chianti roads are beatiful, so if you have the time don't take the highway and go on the normal roads and enjoy the scenery (there are no speed cameras, don't worry)

Firenze

Fiorentina

  • Trattoria dall'Oste, 9/10
    • The 1st Butcher's shop with restaurant in Italy and one of the best Fiorentina steaks you'll ever try
    • Book ahead of time on their website (the best one is the one near the Cathedral, called Borgo San Lorenzo)
    • Prices are very competitive given the quality of the meat
  • Rossocrudo
    • Fiorentina and other traditional dishes
  • Regina Bistecca

Mid-Tier Restaurants

  • FoodyFarm
    • Tuscan Modern Cuisine in a stylish location
  • Hortus
    • Pizza Tasting Menu
  • Essenziale
    • Really nice for a quick lunch, the quality of the food is really good

Street Food

From the infamous Tuscan Schiacciata to the best paninis in Italy

  • L'Antico Vinaio, 9/10
    • You most probably already know this one
  • 'Ino, 8/10
    • The 2nd best panino in Italy according to 50 Top Italy
    • Although I personally prefer the schiacciata, 'Ino's panini are really good

Fine Dining

  • Villa San Michele
    • A Belmond Hotel just outside Florence
    • If available, ask for the Chef's table: you will experience the tasting menu right in the kitchen, and the chef will prepare the dishes in front of you while explaining the story behind them
  • Gucci Osteria *
    • Restaurant born from the collaboration of Gucci and Massimo Bottura (3 Michelin Stars)
  • Enoteca Bruni
    • Contemporary Cuisine
    • Tasting Menus: 48-75-90

Chianti & Val D'Orcia

When you go to Chianti, you really can't go wrong, but in case you need some advice, here it is!

Fiorentina

Chianti is the homeland of Fiorentina

  • Antica Macelleria Cecchini, Greve in Chianti
    • An historical Butcher's shop that also became a restaurant
    • There are 3 different tasting menus to choose from, and each tasting menu corresponds to a dining room
    • The owner, Dario Cecchini, is famous for its welcoming personality
  • Antica Osteria di Nandone, Scarperia e San Piero

Tuscan Restaurants

Plates from the Tuscan Tradition

  • Podere Il Casale, Pienza, 9/10
    • About 30min from Pienza
    • Spectacular View of Val D'Orcia and Pienza from the dining terrace
    • All of the products in the menu are either homegrown (all vegetables and most of the meat) or sourced from local farmers/breeders
    • The menu includes traditional dishes with a modern twist
    • Must try: Maialino di Cinta Senese and the Homemade Cantucci e Vin Santo (one of the best Cantucci I ever tried)
  • Ristorante Nello, San Casciano in Val di Pesa
    • Tasting Menus: 40-50-65

Fine Dining

If you want an experience you will remember

  • Il Poggio Rosso *, 9/10
    • Located in Borgo San Felice, a little city in Chianti that was purchased by Allianz and repurposed as a Relais Chateaux 5* Hotel
    • The Executive Chef is Juan Quintero, a disciple of Enrico Bartolini (3 Michelin Stars, regarded as one of the best Chefs in Italy), that also advises the restaurant
    • Tasting Menu: 160/200
  • Podere Bel Vedere, Pontassieve
  • Osteria Passo dopo Passo, San Gimignano
    • Tasting Menus: 65-80
  • Creta Osteria e Pipero, Cortona
    • Tasting Menus: 60-80
  • Vitique, Greve in Chianti
  • Ristorante al 588, Bagno a Ripoli

Other

Other experiences

  • Lo Spela, Greve in Chianti
    • Awarded best gourmet pizza of the year by Gambero Rosso, one of the most famous food guides in Italy
  • Caseificio Cugusi, Montepulciano
    • Cheese Factory
    • Here you can do a Pecorino (traditional cheese from Pienza) Tasting

Andrea Franceschini @ 2022