Surrounding the province of Siena is the beautiful Val d'Orcia, an expanse of breathtaking landscape stretching from the Crete Senesi to the northern slopes of Monte Amiata, crossing the hills of Buonconvento and Trequanda and the slopes of Radicofani and Castiglione d'Orcia. A landscape shaped by forests, vineyards and olive groves, dotted with characteristic medieval villages where time stands still. And where one can find solid, traditional cuisine that emphasises local products and local wines: here are the best addresses.
The best restaurants in Val d'Orcia
Boccon DiVino
The menu proposed by the Fiorani family mixes tradition, substance and a pinch of modernity that enhances the quality of the ingredients. Mezzelune stracciatella and finocchiona on cream of courgettes, almonds and black truffle; and fiorentina steak with potatoes are well accompanied by local wines. The outdoor area is beautiful.
Boccon DiVino - Montalcino - loc. Colombaio Tozzi, 201 - boccondivinomontalcino.it
Il Campaccio
A well-kept Relais with an enchanting view (and delightful swimming pool), terraces on which to enjoy the panorama and the cuisine of chef Raniero di Benedetto are worth the journey. The service is friendly and competent. For wines, one pivots on the house and distributed treasures. The splendid wine cellar (which can be visited) and the shop complete the offer.
Il Campaccio - Montalcino - loc. Castelnuovo dell'Abate Podere Loreto and San Pio - mastrojannirelais.com
Campo del Drago at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco Relais
An enchanting structure set in an ancient hamlet housing villas, hotel, golf course and a winery. There are two restaurants entrusted to Matteo Temperini (the other is the Osteria La Canonica), a chef of vast experience and author of original dishes, marked by skilful use of ingredients and the contribution of the magnificent vegetable garden that covers the gourmet supply. The proposals, of a high standard, are of character but without excess of flavour. The menu closes with delicate and successful desserts. In the cellar there are many fine labels, in addition to the excellent “house” ones.
Campo del Drago at the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco Relais - Montalcino - locality of Castiglion del Bosco - rosewoodhotels.com
Drogheria Franci
An inn with elegant and spacious rooms, well-stocked wine bar and grocery store that has made quality and customer care its cornerstones. The cuisine offers Tuscan specialities revisited with skill and an interesting choice of innovative dishes made with excellent ingredients. Attentive and professional service.
Drogheria Franci - Montalcino - p.le Fortezza, 5 - locandafranci.com
Il Giglio
This hotel and restaurant has existed since the end of the 19th century. After a century, the Machetti family revived its fortunes, modernising it and adapting it to the needs of the times and the ever-increasing number of tourists. However, thanks to the furnishings and timeless courtesy, that air of yesteryear that welcomes guests and makes them feel at home remains intact. Mario oversees the dining room, Anna is always in the kitchen, and son Michele is in charge of the wines. From the fabulous pinci (as pici are called here in Montalcino) with breadcrumbs, to the wild boar scottiglia with polenta, the menu is traditional, with some digressions of contemporary style.
Il Giglio - Montalcino - via Soccorso Saloni, 5 - gigliohotel.com
Il Grappolo Blu
In the heart of the historic centre, an unpretentious little place but capable of offering good satisfaction. An informal and warm ambience, affectionate service, and a cuisine that showcases the cornerstones of tradition without variations on the theme other than those linked to seasonality. Tuscan cured meats and cheese, handmade pasta served with typical sauces, for example pici all'aglione or tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, hearty main courses such as pork cheek in Brunello, or tripe with meat sauce.
Il Grappolo Blu - Montalcino - grappoloblu.it
Alle Logge di Piazza
Located are in the heart of the town, in the square dominated by the silhouette of the Palazzo Civico. Next to the large loggia, which houses the restaurant's ample outdoor seating area, is what was once above all a bar - and still is, given the frequency at aperitif time - but which has gradually developed its own identity thanks also to its cuisine. In the few places inside that enjoy a stupendous view over the valley or under the loggias, one can taste typical local dishes, such as variously seasoned pinci, soups, pork livers, as well as extra-regional variants.
Alle Logge di Piazza - Montalcino - via G. Matteotti, 1 - Facebook
Vineria Le Potazzine
Right in the town centre and a few kilometres from the estate of the same name that stands out for its production of quality wines and spirits, is this restaurant offering simple, substantial cuisine inextricably linked to the territory. The cellar is extensive, in addition to maison and other Tuscan references, one can choose terroirs around the world and alsofind very interesting vintages.
Vineria Le Potazzine - Montalcino - p.zza G. Garibaldi, 8 - lepotazzine.com
Il Pozzo
Regional cuisine and many specialities from the Val d'Orcia are among the certainties of this menu: veal carpaccio with Etruscan sauce and pinci with breadcrumbs. And if four kilos of Florentine steak for a second course is not enough, you can count on the surprising off-menu items that change according to the market and the availability of the restaurant’s trusted butcher.
Il Pozzo - Montalcino - hamlet of Sant'Angelo in Colle - trattoriailpozzo.com
Taverna dei Barbi
This is the restaurant of the winery by the same name, a characteristic and cosy place that serves all the local specialities, with a few old recipes that have been recovered. Depending on the time of year, one might find the house crostini with liver pâté “all'uso di casa Colombini” on walnut and sultana bread, tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, pinci with meat sauce, beef cheek in Brunello dei Barbi with rosemary-flavoured soft potatoes, as well as steamed cod on a velvety pea soup and tomato dressing.
Taverna dei Barbi - loc. Podernovi, 170 - fattoriadeibarbi.it
Dopolavoro La Foce
An oasis in the heart of the Val d'Orcia, an ideal refuge for families with children, gourmets passing through, or anyone in the mood for a no-strings-attached stopover with local products and wines. Beautiful and suggestive is the ancient structure where the restaurant is located, spacious and bright even inside, open from noon to evening for lunches, snacks, aperitifs, even just a coffee, without restrictions.
Dopolavoro La Foce - Pienza - loc. La Foce - s.da della Vittoria, 90 - dopolavorolafoce.it
Latte di Luna
An unmistakable address that has become a reference point for the area, located right in the charming historic centre of Pienza. Here one sits in a simple, well-kept environment and on the table come typical local dishes prepared with fresh, genuine ingredients. In the wine cellar guests can choose from a fine selection of mostly local references.
Latte di Luna - Pienza - via San Carlo, 2
Podere Il Casale
Il Casale is an agritourism farm founded in 1991 when Ulisse and Sandra Schmidig moved here from Switzerland. Starting out by breeding sheep and goats and transforming their milk into excellent dairy products, they later focused on hospitality with rooms, pitches for camper vans and, last but not least, the restaurant. In the rustic-style dining room, or on the terrace with a view that sweeps from Pienza to Monte Amiata, guests can enjoy cheeses, cured meats, olive oil, wine and vegetables from the garden, all from the house, and a homemade cuisine made up of tortelli with ricotta and plantain seasoned with butter and wild fennel, or suckling pig with vegetables.
Podere Il Casale - Pienza - via Podere Il Casale, 64 - podereilcasale.com
Osteria del Leone
A lively osteria offering an interesting take on typical regional cuisine. The atmosphere is intimate and extremely relaxing, with the rustic-style setting and the patio to grace the meal in fine weather. The cuisine is based on the typicality of the area, both in terms of ingredients and recipes that are sometimes interpreted with a touch of flair. The wine list is in line.
Osteria del Leone - San Quirco d'Orcia - loc. Bagno Vignoni - via dei Mulini, 3 - osteriadelleone.it
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