Known as “Citta d’arte”, Luca is home to beautiful Renaissance-era architecture. With Medieval buildings and cobblestone pathways characterizing the city, a stroll through Lucca will make you feel like you have traveled hundreds of years in the past. But that is not the only thing Lucca has to offer. Besides its historically rich culture, mountain views, and much more, there’s another spectacular offering on the table for its residents as well as thousands of tourists from all over the world; tantalizing food.
In this article, we will list down the best 9 restaurants in Lucca, Italy so if you’re planning to visit Lucca anytime, you might want to visit any of these food spots:
Buca Di Sant’antonio
Buca Di Sant’Antonio, established in 1782, is not only one of Lucca’s oldest restaurants but also a culinary jewel highly recommended by various sources. This iconic eatery is celebrated for its authentic Tuscan cuisine such as Tordelli Lucchese, Tagliolini with Butter and Black Truffles, and Tortellini.
Buca Di Sant’Antonio is a favorite among both locals and visitors. Its atmosphere is a blend of understated elegance and cozy authenticity, featuring white linen tablecloths, suited staff, and copper pots hanging from ancient wooden beams.
Antica Locanda Di Sesto
Antica Locanda Di Sesto is a renowned Michelin-star fine dining establishment, situated a few kilometers north of Lucca’s historic center. It offers a unique dining experience with stunning views of the Tuscan countryside.
Known for its exceptional service and English-speaking staff, the restaurant’s highlights include a mixed antipasti featuring meats, toast, and delicious cheeses, and the hunter’s rabbit dish. Pairing these with a local red wine is highly recommended.
Ristorante Da Giulio
Ristorante Da Giulio in Lucca, Italy, stands out for its family-style ambiance and relatively reasonable pricing. The restaurant is renowned for its traditional Tuscan dishes like veal stew, sage potatoes, roasted vegetables, ravioli with meat sauce, veal escalope with white wine sauce, and classic desserts like tiramisu and espresso macchiato.
Besides an incredible menu, Ristorante Da Giulio boasts a spacious interior and a scenic outdoor seating area. The restaurant’s popularity among both locals and tourists is a testament to its authentic Tuscan cuisine and a charming atmosphere
Osteria Miranda
Run by the friendly Gianni family since 1989, Osteria Miranda is located in the city center of Lucca. The restaurant is consistently ranked among the top restaurants in the area. It sources high-quality local ingredients from nearby farms and crafts them into hearty Tuscan dishes. Although the sitting capacity is limited to just ten tables, the food served here is anything but simple.
Osteria Miranda’s specialty includes tender bistecca alla fiorentina, gnocchi, and flavorful ribollita soup with new specials rotating daily. On the first visit, visitors may be surprised that there is no printed menu to pick from but guests can opt for the four or five-course tasting menu, putting complete trust in the chef’s expert food selections, or request traditional recommendations verbally from the knowledgeable wait staff.
L’angolo Tondo
L’angolo Tondo’s cozy, home-like atmosphere is naturally welcoming, giving it a warm and inviting ambiance. The menu features traditional local specialties along with innovative takes on classic dishes. Signature dishes include pappardelle with wild boar sauce and Tordelli Lucchese with pasta. Moreover, if you love seafood, you will be delighted by the daily-changing seafood options sourced from the nearby Versilia coast.
L’Angolo Tondo stands out in Lucca for its exceptional cuisine that respects tradition, making it a must-visit culinary destination.
Trattoria Da Leo
Trattoria Da Leo is best known for serving the best lunch in the city. The trattoria’s menu del giorno, a lunch-exclusive deal, includes a starter, main, and dessert, showcasing traditional Tuscan cuisine at its finest. Signature dishes like the bistecca allá Fiorentina highlight the menu, offering diners simply seasoned and flavorful Tuscan beef.
The restaurant’s ambiance, coupled with its excellent lunch menu, makes it a must-visit for any hungry tourist in Lucca.
Cantine Bernardini
If there’s one thing that is more exciting than the food about a restaurant, it’s their location. The restaurant is located in the historic Palazzo Bernardini from the late 1500s. Its’ vibrant rooms, adorned with modern art contrast with its ancient, vaulted-brick wine cellar offering an experience like no other. Now coming to the food, the dining experience here is exceptional. Some of their best dishes include winter panzanella, Tagliolini All’Amatriciana, and Tordelli Lucchese.
The restaurant’s location in Lucca’s center, with a rustic setting and specialties like stuffed chicken and Florentine beefsteak, makes it a top choice for authentic Tuscan dining. Cantine Bernardini offers both a traditional Tuscan-style dining room and outdoor seating experience.
Pizzicheria La Grotta
Specializing in Tuscan cuisine, Pizzicheria La Grotta offers dishes like pappardelle with wild boar ragu and osso buco cooked in Chianti. They have a selection of local meats and cheeses, ideal to eat with Lucchese wine.
Although their menus are concise, every dish on the menu packs a punch. Each item on the menu is carefully chosen while the interior is decorated to offer customers a warm, home-like atmosphere.
Pizzaeria Da Felice
Talking about Italian food and not mentioning pizza? Nothing short of a sin. Last but not least on our list is the Pizzaeria Da Felice. They have been serving piping hot, thin-crust pizzas in Lucca for over 50 years.
They specialize in crispy browned pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. Some of their best-selling pizzas include the classic pizza Margherita with tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and basil, and the pizza funghi with salty prosciutto and earthy mushrooms.
