Best Restaurants in Siena Italy – Siena is a beautiful medieval city in Tuscany, famous for its art, architecture and history. But it is also a great destination for food lovers, who can enjoy the rich and varied cuisine of this region.
From traditional dishes like pici pasta, ribollita soup and panforte cake, to modern and creative interpretations of local ingredients, Siena offers a wide range of dining options for every taste and budget.
In this article, we will take you on a culinary tour of the city, and show you some of the best restaurants in Siena Italy that you should not miss.
Traditional Tuscan Cuisine
Siena is famous for its traditional Tuscan cuisine, which features hearty and rustic dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Here are some of the must-try dishes in Siena:
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina: A thick, juicy T-bone steak, cooked over an open flame and seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Pici are thick and hand-rolled spaghetti made with water, flour and salt.
- Scottiglia: Scottiglia is a stew made with different kinds of meat, such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.
- Ribollita: A hearty vegetable soup, made with stale bread, beans, and seasonal vegetables.
- Gnudi: Gnudi are dumplings made with ricotta cheese, spinach, eggs and flour.
- Panforte: Panforte is a traditional cake made with honey, nuts, candied fruits and spices.
Best Restaurants in Siena Italy
If you want to taste the authentic flavors of Siena and Tuscany, you should visit some of the traditional restaurants in the city. These are places where you can find classic dishes made with fresh and seasonal products, cooked with care and passion. Here are some of the best traditional restaurants in Siena Italy that we recommend:
Fine Dining
Fine dining in Siena Italy – If you are looking for a special and memorable dining experience, you can also find some fine dining restaurants in Siena Italy that will impress you with their exquisite and refined dishes.
These are places where you can enjoy the best of Italian and Tuscan cuisine, prepared with high-quality and fresh ingredients, and presented with elegance and style. Here are some of the best fine dining restaurants in Siena Italy that we suggest:
- La Locanda dei Tintori: This restaurant is located in a former dyeing workshop from the 14th century, with vaulted ceilings and stone walls. It specializes in seafood dishes, prepared with fresh and high-quality ingredients from the Mediterranean. You can enjoy dishes like the octopus carpaccio with citrus fruits and mint, the risotto with cauliflower and grapefruit, and the duck breast with orange sauce.
- Ristorante Campo Cedro: This restaurant is not only a great place for sushi lovers, but also for fine dining enthusiasts. It offers a fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisine, with dishes that are beautifully presented and full of taste. You can choose from a variety of sushi, sashimi, tempura, noodles and more, or opt for a tasting menu that will take you on a journey through different flavors and sensations. Some of the highlights are the prawns with tartar sauce and saffron puffed rice, the tagliolini with squid and Taggiasca olives, and the chocolate cake with matcha tea ice cream.
- Ristorante Tar-Tufo: This restaurant is situated in a former Etruscan tomb, dating back to the 6th century BC. It offers a menu that combines tradition and innovation, using organic and high-quality ingredients. Some of the specialties are the wild boar stew with polenta, the ravioli with ricotta and spinach in butter and sage sauce, and the tiramisu with coffee cream.
- Antica Osteria da Divo: This restaurant is located in a medieval building near the Piazza del Campo, decorated with antique furniture and paintings. It offers a menu that reflects the history and culture of Siena, with dishes made with local products such as truffles, saffron, cheese and honey. You can try dishes like the pici pasta with duck ragout, the rabbit with artichokes and rosemary, and the panforte cake with ricotta cheese.
- Osteria le Logge: This cozy and elegant osteria is located near the Piazza del Campo, the main square of Siena. It serves typical Tuscan dishes with a touch of creativity, such as pici with duck ragout, rabbit with artichokes and rosemary, and almond semifreddo with chocolate sauce. The wine list is extensive and features local and national labels
- La Taverna di San Giuseppe: This tavern is located in a historic building from the 12th century, decorated with antique furniture and paintings.
It specializes in meat dishes, especially the famous bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), a thick cut of beef grilled over charcoal. You can also try other meat dishes like lamb chops, pork ribs and roast chicken. The wine cellar is impressive and contains more than 500 labels from all over Italy.
International Restaurants in Siena Italy
If you are looking for a change of pace and want to try some different cuisines and flavors, you can also find some international restaurants in Siena Italy that will satisfy your curiosity and appetite.
These are places where you can find dishes from Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Turkish and more cultures, prepared with quality and authenticity. Here are some of the best international restaurants in Siena Italy that we suggest:
- Ristorante Campo Cedro: This restaurant is not only a great place for fine dining lovers, but also for sushi lovers. It offers a fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisine, with dishes that are beautifully presented and full of taste.
You can choose from a variety of sushi, sashimi, tempura, noodles and more, or opt for a tasting menu that will take you on a journey through different flavors and sensations. Some of the highlights are the prawns with tartar sauce and saffron puffed rice, the tagliolini with squid and Taggiasca olives, and the chocolate cake with matcha tea ice cream. - Ravioli Wang: This restaurant is specialized in Chinese dumplings, which are handmade with fresh dough and stuffed with different fillings.
You can find vegetarian and vegan options, such as the dumplings with spinach and tofu, the dumplings with mushrooms and cabbage, and the dumplings with pumpkin and chestnuts. You can also try other Chinese dishes like noodles, rice, soups and salads. - Taj Mahal: This restaurant is located near the Porta Romana, one of the ancient gates of the city. It offers a variety of Indian dishes, such as curries, tandoori, biryanis and more. You can enjoy dishes like the chicken tikka masala, the lamb rogan josh, the vegetable korma and the naan bread[^3^][3]. The restaurant also has a buffet option for lunch.
- Pizzeria Gurgu Kebab: This pizzeria is not only a great place for pizza lovers, but also for kebab lovers. It offers a variety of pizzas that are suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, such as the pizza with tomato sauce, vegan cheese and vegetables, the pizza with hummus, falafel and salad, and the pizza with pesto, tofu and cherry tomatoes.
You can also try their kebabs, which are made with chicken or beef meat, vegetables and sauces. - Caffe 19zero3: This cafe and wine bar is situated near the Piazza del Campo, the main square of Siena. It offers a menu that changes according to the seasons and the availability of local products.
The dishes are creative and colorful, with a touch of international influence. You can try dishes like the green pasta with burrata cheese and tomatoes, the rabbit stew with olives and capers, and the tiramisu with coffee cream. You can also enjoy their cocktails, wines and beers.
Street food in Siena Italy
If you are looking for a quick and cheap bite to eat, you can also find some street food in Siena Italy that will fill you up and delight your taste buds. These are places where you can find sandwiches, pizzas, kebabs, dumplings and more, that you can enjoy on the go or sitting at a table. Here are some of the best street food in Siena Italy that we suggest:
- Pretto: This deli and street food shop is located near the Piazza del Campo, and offers a variety of charcuterie, cheese, bread and wine. You can choose from different types of sandwiches, such as the one with porchetta (roasted pork), pecorino cheese and honey, or the one with salami, mozzarella and truffle cream.
- Al 22: This street food and seafood shop is situated in a small alley near the Duomo, and offers a menu that changes daily according to the availability of fresh fish. You can find dishes like fried calamari, grilled octopus, tuna tartare and more.
- Forno Antiporto Sclavi: This bakery and pizza shop is located near the Porta Camollia, one of the ancient gates of the city. It offers a variety of pizzas, focaccias and pastries, made with natural ingredients and baked in a wood-fired oven. You can try the pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil, or the pizza with sausage, mushrooms and cheese
PLACES TO GO IN FLORENCE, ITALY: AN OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
Vegetarian restaurants in Siena Italy
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, or simply want to enjoy some healthy and delicious plant-based dishes, you can also find some vegetarian restaurants in Siena Italy that will satisfy your appetite.
These are places where you can find fresh and organic salads, soups, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas and more, made with local and seasonal vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and seeds. Here are some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Siena Italy that we recommend:
- Ristorante Campo Cedro: This restaurant is not only a great place for sushi lovers, but also for vegetarians and vegans. It offers a variety of dishes that are suitable for plant-based diets, such as the vegetable tempura, the tofu salad with sesame dressing, the vegetable curry with rice, and the vegan chocolate cake with coconut cream.
- Pizzeria Gurgu Kebab: This pizzeria is not only a great place for pizza lovers, but also for vegetarians and vegans. It offers a variety of pizzas that are suitable for plant-based diets, such as the pizza with tomato sauce, vegan cheese and vegetables, the pizza with hummus, falafel and salad, and the pizza with pesto, tofu and cherry tomatoes. You can also try their kebabs, which are made with chicken or beef meat, vegetables and sauces.
- Ravioli Wang: This restaurant is specialized in Chinese dumplings, which are handmade with fresh dough and stuffed with different fillings. You can find vegetarian and vegan options, such as the dumplings with spinach and tofu, the dumplings with mushrooms and cabbage, and the dumplings with pumpkin and chestnuts. You can also try other Chinese dishes like noodles, rice, soups and salads.
- Blandis Cafe & Wine Bar: This cafe and wine bar is situated near the Piazza del Campo, the main square of Siena. It offers a menu that changes according to the seasons and the availability of local products. The dishes are creative and colorful, with a touch of international influence. You can try dishes like the green pasta with burrata cheese and tomatoes, the rabbit stew with olives and capers, and the tiramisu with coffee cream. You can also enjoy their cocktails, wines and beers.
- Bruscello Bistro: This modern and stylish bistro is located near the Piazza del Campo, and offers a menu that changes according to the seasons and the availability of local products. The dishes are creative and colorful, with a touch of international influence. You can try dishes like the green pasta with burrata cheese and tomatoes, the rabbit stew with olives and capers, and the tiramisu with coffee cream.
What to eat in Siena: local food, wine and typical dishes
Siena is a city that boasts a rich and varied culinary tradition, influenced by its history, culture and geography. The local cuisine is based on natural and simple ingredients, such as legumes, vegetables, cereals, cheese, meat and game.
The dishes are hearty and flavorful, reflecting the rural and peasant origins of the Sienese people. Here are some of the most popular traditional dishes of Siena that you should not miss:
- Pici: Pici are thick and hand-rolled spaghetti made with water, flour and salt. They are usually served with different sauces, such as aglione (garlic and tomato), ragù (meat sauce), cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) or nana (duck sauce).
- Ribollita: Ribollita is a thick soup made with stale bread, beans, black cabbage and other vegetables. It is cooked several times until it becomes dense and creamy. It is a typical winter dish that warms up the body and the soul.
- Gnudi: Gnudi are dumplings made with ricotta cheese, spinach, eggs and flour. They are boiled in water and dressed with butter and sage or tomato sauce. They are similar to ravioli but without the pasta wrapper.
- Scottiglia: Scottiglia is a stew made with different kinds of meat, such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork. The meat is cut into small pieces and cooked slowly in a pot with wine, herbs and spices. It is a rustic and flavorful dish that can be accompanied by bread or polenta.
- Cinta senese: Cinta senese is a breed of pigs that are native to Siena and have a distinctive black coat with a white belt. The meat of these pigs is tender and tasty, and is used to make various products such as salami, ham, sausages and lard. You can find them in many shops and restaurants in Siena.
- Panforte: Panforte is a traditional cake made with honey, nuts, candied fruits and spices. It has a dense and chewy texture and a sweet and spicy flavor. It is one of the most famous sweets of Siena and is usually eaten during Christmas time.
- Ricciarelli: Ricciarelli are almond cookies that have a soft and moist interior and a crunchy exterior. They are shaped like diamonds and dusted with powdered sugar. They are another typical sweet of Siena that can be enjoyed all year round.
FAQs:
Q: Can I find vegetarian or vegan options at these street food spots?
A: Yes, all of the mentioned restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan options.
Q: Is street food safe to eat in Siena?
A: Yes, street food is generally safe to eat in Siena as long as you are careful about where you buy it. Stick to reputable vendors and make sure the food is freshly cooked and served hot.
Q: Are these street food spots open all year round?
A: Yes, all of these spots are open year-round, but hours may vary depending on the season.
Q: What type of cuisine is most commonly found in Siena restaurants?
A: Siena is famous for its traditional Tuscan cuisine, which emphasizes high-quality ingredients and simple preparation.
Q: Are reservations necessary at the best restaurants in Siena?
A: It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance, especially during peak tourist season and for popular restaurants.
Q: Is it customary to tip at restaurants in Siena?
A: Tipping is not mandatory in Italy, as a service charge is often included in the bill. However, it is common to leave a small amount as a gesture of appreciation for good service.
Q: What is the typical price range for a meal at a top restaurant in Siena?
A: Prices can vary widely depending on the restaurant and the number of courses ordered, but expect to pay anywhere from €25 to €120 per person at a high-end restaurant.
Conclusion
Siena is a city that offers a lot to its visitors, not only in terms of art, culture and history, but also in terms of food and wine. The local cuisine is rich and varied, with dishes that reflect the traditions and the flavors of the territory.
Whether you are looking for traditional, modern, vegetarian or international restaurants, you will find plenty of options to suit your taste and budget.
Siena is a city that will delight your senses and make you fall in love with its charm and its gastronomy.
