The best restaurants in Tuscany
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Which restaurant in Tuscany is the "best" depends on what you're looking for: a top-class menu or an honest trattoria with ribollita and bistecca. As a reliable benchmark, we use the Michelin Guide Italia 2026 : it lists 45 starred restaurants in Tuscany and numerous Bib Gourmand establishments offering particularly good value for money.
The best restaurants in Tuscany at a glance
- Three Michelin stars: Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence – the only three-star restaurant in Tuscany.
- Two stars: Arnolfo (Colle di Val d'Elsa), Santa Elisabetta (Florence), Campo del Drago (Montalcino), Caino (Montemerano), Il Piccolo Principe (Viareggio).
- Good and fair: By 2026, around two dozen Tuscan restaurants will hold the Bib Gourmand award, e.g., Da Burde in Florence or Da Pode in San Gimignano.
- Tip: Always make reservations at well-known restaurants – especially on weekends and during peak season.
Top-class cuisine: the Michelin stars of Tuscany 2026
With 45 starred restaurants (one with three stars, five with two stars and 39 with one star), Tuscany ranks third among Italian regions in the 2026 Michelin Guide.
Three stars: Enoteca Pinchiorri, Florence
Die Enoteca Pinchiorri in einem Palazzo aus dem 17. Jahrhundert ist eine Legende der italienischen Gastronomie und vor allem für ihren außergewöhnlichen Weinkeller bekannt. Wer hier essen möchte, sollte lange im Voraus reservieren. Mehr zur Stadt: Stadttour Florenz.
Two stars
| Restaurant | Location |
|---|---|
| Arnolfo | Colle di Val d'Elsa (Province of Siena) |
| St. Elizabeth | Florence |
| Dragon Camp | Montalcino |
| Cain | Montemerano (Maremma) |
| The little Prince | Viareggio |
Arnolfo is located in the old town of Colle di Val d'Elsa , Il Piccolo Principe directly on the beach promenade of Viareggio.
A star
39 restaurants have been awarded a star – including those in Florence, Fiesole, Forte dei Marmi , Castiglione della Pescaia, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Gaiole in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Porto Ercole, Prato, and Arezzo. New additions in 2026 include Luca's by Paulo Airaudo in Florence. The complete, current list can be found in the Michelin Guide.
Eat well and fairly: Bib Gourmand trattorias
The Bib Gourmand award recognizes restaurants that offer good food at moderate prices – often classic trattorias and osterias. A selection of Bib Gourmand restaurants in Tuscany in 2026, sorted by region:
Florence and surroundings
- Florence: Da Burde, Il Latini, L'Ortone, Trattoria Cibrèo – Il Cibrèino, Zeb
- San Donato in Poggio (Chianti): Antica Trattoria La Toppa
Siena, Chianti and Val d'Orcia
- San Gimignano: Da Pode
- Monteriggioni: Future Osteria
- Montalcino: Taverna del Grappolo Blu
- Chiusi: Osteria La Solita Zuppa
- Trequanda: Il Conte Matto
- Lucarelli (Radda in Chianti): Osteria Le Panzanelle
Lucca, Pistoia and surrounding area
- Lucca: Nida; also the traditional Buca di Sant'Antonio in the old town, which has existed for over two centuries and is recommended in the Michelin Guide
- Ponte a Moriano: Antica Locanda Sesto
- Cutigliano (Pistoieser Mountains): Trattoria da Fagiolino
- Serravalle Pistoiese: Trattoria da Marino
Coast and Maremma
- Livorno: Azzighe Osteria a metà (new 2026)
- Bolgheri: Osteria Magona
- Castiglione della Pescaia: Osteria del Mare (new 2026)
- Follonica: The Submarine
- Orbetello: L'Oste Dispensa
- Castel del Piano (Monte Amiata): Antica Fattoria del Grottaione
Arezzo, Cortona and Casentino
- Cortona: La Bucaccia
- Anghiari: Da Alighiero
- Bibbiena: Il Tirabusciò
- Moggiona: The Cedar
All Bib Gourmand restaurants in the region, including opening hours, can be found on the Bib Gourmand page of the Michelin Guide.
What you should try in Tuscany
- Bistecca alla fiorentina: Thick T-bone steak from the grill, usually for two people and served rare.
- Ribollita and Pappa al pomodoro: hearty bread and vegetable soups from peasant cuisine.
- Pici: Thick, hand-rolled pasta from the province of Siena, e.g. with garlic and tomato sauce (“all'aglione”).
- Cacciucco the hearty fish stew from Livorno.
- Lampredotto: Florentine street food made from tripe in a bread roll.
- Cantucci with Vin Santo: Almond biscuits for dipping in dessert wine.
More on this topic: Culinary Tuscany , Tuscan wine and olive oil.
Tips for visiting a restaurant
Trattoria, Osteria or Ristorante?
Trattorias and osterias are traditionally simpler, family-run, and regional; a ristorante is usually more upscale. However, the lines are blurred today – some "osterias" are gourmet restaurants.
Good to know
- Reservations: For well-known restaurants, it's best to book a few days in advance; for Michelin-starred restaurants, often weeks.
- Cover price: Many restaurants charge a fee per person for bread and cover charge; this must be listed on the menu.
- Day off: Many restaurants have a fixed day off and close temporarily outside of peak season – check opening hours beforehand.
- Menu sequence: Antipasto, Primo (pasta, soup), Secondo (meat, fish) with Contorno (side dish) and Dolce – but you don't have to order all the courses.
Cooking classes and food tours
Those who want to learn Tuscan cuisine themselves can find cooking classes in Tuscany , often on country estates followed by a meal. A combination of wineries and regional specialties is offered, for example, on a wine and food tour to Chianti from Florence.
Frequently asked questions about restaurants in Tuscany
How many Michelin-starred restaurants are there in Tuscany?
In the Michelin Guide Italia 2026, there are 45: one restaurant with three stars, five with two stars and 39 with one star.
Which is the best restaurant in Tuscany?
According to the Michelin Guide, Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence is the only three-star restaurant in Tuscany. Arnolfo, Santa Elisabetta, Campo del Drago, Caino, and Il Piccolo Principe have two stars.
Where can you eat well and cheaply in Tuscany?
In traditional trattorias and osterias. The Bib Gourmand of the Michelin Guide offers good guidance, e.g. Da Burde in Florence, Da Pode in San Gimignano or Azzighe in Livorno.
Do you need to make a reservation at a restaurant in Tuscany?
Reservations are highly recommended for well-known restaurants and on weekends; for Michelin-starred restaurants, often weeks in advance.
What is the Coperto in Italy?
The coperto is a charge per person for cover charge and bread. It is common in many restaurants and must be listed on the menu.
