Lucca, a beautiful city in northern Tuscany, is well-known for its artistic and architectural treasures, as well as its delectable food based on peasant traditions. Here are some of the top restaurants in Lucca.
What to eat in Lucca
Lucca is a charming city in Tuscany, known for its rich culinary traditions and delicious cuisine. From hearty soups and tortelli lucchesi to tasty desserts like buccellato, Lucca offers a wide variety of traditional dishes that reflect its history and culture. The proximity of Lucca to the sea, the mountains, and the fertile valleys has influenced its cuisine, resulting in a distinctive combination of ingredients and flavors that will undoubtedly delight any food enthusiast.
Inside the walls of Lucca, there are several fascinating and characteristic restaurants that entice tourists with their exceptional fragrances of cuisine. The local ingredients used in Lucca’s cuisine, such as olive oil, chestnuts, and wild boar, play a key role in creating the unique flavors that define the region’s dishes. Whether you’re exploring the bustling markets or dining in a cozy trattoria, Lucca’s culinary scene is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
Restaurants in Lucca
Trattoria Da Leo (Via Tegrimi 1, phone +39 0583 492236)
Trattoria da Leo, located in the heart of the city’s historic district, serves home cooking featuring traditional Lucca delicacies. The restaurant is old and housed in the distinctive rooms of a former mill. You can get crostini, Tuscan appetizers, farro soup, handmade tortelli alla lucchese, meat and game courses, and homemade desserts. The menu also includes Garmugia della Garfagnana. This soup has asparagus, broad beans, peas, and sausage.
Osteria La Bottega Da Anna e Leo (Via San Frediano 18, phone +39 0583 490689)
The Osteria La Bottega Da Anna e Leo is located in Lucca’s historic center, near the picturesque Basilica of San Frediano, one of the city’s oldest places of worship. The restaurant serves traditional cuisine from both Lucca and Tuscany at reasonable pricing. It features a rustic and pleasant environment, with tables available outside. The menu includes homemade pasta, regional meat specialties, and traditional appetizers.
Ristorante Pizzeria La Tana dell’Orco (Viale Regina Margherita 225, phone +39 389 02333234)
The Ristorante Pizzeria La Tana dell’Orco is located in front of Lucca’s famed Walls, and it manages to satisfy everyone in terms of menu selection and pricing. The restaurant is unique; the food is simple and homemade, and the pizzas are well-cooked and full. Order platters of assorted cold cuts and cheeses, bruschetta, tortelli alla lucchese, fish-based dishes, salads, and focaccia.
Typical Dishes
Despite its rural and peasant roots, Lucca boasts a rich and old culinary culture. Strong and decisive flavors, while remaining sensitive to the palate, express the city’s distinctive foods with an unmistakable taste. From hearty soups and stews to delicate pastries and desserts, Lucca offers a wide variety of culinary experiences that showcase the rich gastronomic heritage of Tuscany. Be sure to try specialties like tortelli lucchese, a pasta dish filled with meat and vegetables, or buccellato, sweet bread flavored with anise seeds that is perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Lucca’s cuisine frequently serves soups, cereals, and lentils alongside animal-derived dishes like bacon or ham. The vegetables utilized are diverse, reflecting a highly rich type of agriculture: onions, black cabbage, artichokes, asparagus, tomatoes, and pumpkin. Here are the typical dishes of Lucca that you absolutely must try.
- Farro soup
- Tortelli lucchesi (fresh pasta ravioli that are filled with beef and pork, seasoned with meat sauce)
- Garmugia della Garfagnana
- Farinata (soup of chickpeas, beans, black cabbage, and lard)
- Rovelline lucchesi (is a dish that consists of breaded and fried beef slices that are then rehydrated in a sauce of tomatoes, capers, and herbs)
- Stewed rabbit
- Savory pies with herbs
- Bucellato
Restaurants in Lucca, where to eat in Lucca Gallery
