8 Best Restaurants in Tuscany, Italy

This is, without a doubt, one of the region's most creative restaurants—an intimate place with a menu that's Tuscan but not (its signature egg yolk starter is done with élan). Not a step is missed, and although it's possible to order à la carte, the tasting menu is also popular. When it's warm, you can sit outside in an enclosed courtyard.

This beautifully remodeled restaurant and wineshop serves a light menu that pairs nicely with the lovely wines here, the main draw. Upon entering, you descend a staircase to a tasting room filled with rustic wooden tables. The menu includes typically Tuscan ingredients such as pigeon, and bistecca in a Brunello wine sauce, with a wide choice of vegetarian options. Adjacent is a small dining area with a splendid view of the hills far below, and outside is a lovely little terrace perfect for sampling Brunello di Montalcino when the weather is warm.

Divine, cutting-edge food and Tuscan classics are served in this one-room space, where in winter, there's a roaring fireplace and, in warmer months there's outdoor seating on a pretty little piazza. If mushrooms are in season, try the tacchoni con funghi, a homemade pasta with mushrooms and a native herb called nepitella. A local favorite during winter is the coniglio con olive (rabbit stew with olives).

Locals swear by this small, unpretentious trattoria a couple of blocks from the beach, where the Artizzu family has been serving specialties from the sea since 1979. The house specialty aragosta alla catalana con verdure (Mediterranean lobster with steamed and raw vegetables) is pricey but divine, and the spiedino di sogliola (sole kebab) arrives with silken mashed potatoes topped with bottarga (a smoked-tuna product). If you can't decide, opt for the tasting menu, which gives you a little bit of a lot of the menu. Patrizia makes all the desserts; remember to leave room for them.

Apricot walls hung with etchings of Pisa make this small, single-room restaurant warmly romantic. Husband and wife Damiano and Sandra Lazzerini have been running the place for two decades, and it shows in their obvious enthusiasm while talking about the menu (fish is a focus) and daily specials, which often astound. The ripieno di polpa di pesce a pan grattato con salsa di seppie e pomodoro (fish-stuffed ravioli with tomato-octopus sauce) delights. Seasonal ingredients are key throughout the menu; Sandra works wonders with tartufi estivi (summer truffles), artichokes, and market fish of the day. Remember to save room for desserts as they are scrumptious.

The fact that the dining room can seat only about 35 guests makes a meal here an intimate experience, and the ever-changing menu mixes traditional and creative dishes. In late September and October, zuppa di funghi e castagne (mushroom and chestnut soup) is a treat; grilled meats and seafood are on offer throughout the year. There's also an excellent wine list. When the weather is warm, make sure you dine on the terrace.

Alessandro Aniello and his brother, Lorenzo, carry on with the captivating food created by their late father. Local ingredients are emphasized, and the dishes are turned to perfection. Try the tortelli di castagne al seme di finocchio (chestnut-stuffed pasta with butter sauce and fennel seeds). In good weather, enjoy your meal on a terrace overlooking the town's main square.

Part of the elegant Hotel Byron but open to the public, La Magnolia is helmed by chef Marco Bernardo, who knows his basics and allows flights of fantasy to take over. The games begin with amuse-bouches; his take on fegatini (a typical Tuscan chicken liver spread) with a gelatin made from Aleatico (a serious red wine) sets the stage for what's to follow. Stellar service and a well-informed sommelier also make the meal memorable, especially when it's served poolside.