Restaurant Picks in Lucca

Buca di S. Antonio, Lucca, located in a rustic former inn near the church of San Michele, is Lucca’s most famous traditional restaurant.  They have been in business for 225 years, so they must be doing something right! Here the menu focuses on traditional Lucchese cuisines like the tortini, little pies filled with ricotta cheese and hand gathered porcini mushrooms.

Trattoria da Leo, Lucca, close to Piazza Napoleon, a warm and inviting place, animated by locals. This is a typical Lucchese restaurant, not expensive, where you can taste the classical Lucchese dishes like Pappa al Pomodoro, Zuppa alla Frantoiana (a vegetable soup thickened with bread,) Pollo Fritto con Verdure Miste Fritte (fried chicken with fried vegetables) or the more typical Cotechino con Fagioli all'Uccelletto, (a fat, boiled sausage with white beans in tomato sauce), Cipolline al Forno (little roasted onions) and Finocchi alla Parmigiana (fennel with Parmigiano cheese.)

Gli Orti di Via Elisa, Lucca, excellent casual restaurant with extensive menu, especially good pizza, pastas and meats, also vegetarian dishes, very popular with Luccans, reservation needed. Dinner only, no lunch.

Ristorante La Cecca, about 8 km south of Lucca along the old Pisa road, follow the signs. Some of the best food in Lucca area, popular with the locals, try their tortelli with ragu and their lamb chops.

The Gazebo, outside of Lucca near Locanda Elisa, has an excellent restaurant and poolside cafe. Very pricey but pretty. 

All’Olivo, outside of Lucca, has excellent food and a lovely outdoor tent area.

A Bimbotto, outside of Lucca, is a real Italian trattoria, with tables and chairs that don’t match and delicious food.

Antica Trattoria Stefani, outside of Lucca along the old Pisa road, has an excellent kitchen, large restaurant.  

Ristorante Vipore, located 10 minutes from Lucca in the hills, on a sunny day eat outside with a lovely view of Lucca and the surrounding hills.