Eating & Drinking

Local cuisine from Arezzo is highly recommended, with a great range of both traditional and modern Tuscan cuisine. At the rustic end, expect a hearty version of classic Tuscan cuisine, with inns serving salami, cheese platters, stuffed pasta or a filling ribollita soup (made with beans).  Also expect porchetta (whole deboned pigs, stuffed with garlic and herbs), succulent sausages and cold cuts. Homely inns might serve tripe and grifi con polenta, lambs’ cheeks with polenta, or dishes based on veal, pork or venison.  Also look out for bistecca alla fiorentina, chargrilled T-bone steak, especially as neighbouring Val di Chiana is considered the best place for steak in Tuscany.

Arezzo is the capital of a significant wine-producing province, and offers everything from local Chianti (Chianti Colli Arentini DOCG) to Vinsanto (Vinsanto del Chianti Colli Arentini DOC). In addition, a number of estates, such as Il Borro, produce SuperTuscans, including those inspired by French models. To know more, follow the local Wine Route, the Strada del Vino. The 200-km-long Terre di Arezzo route takes in over 120 wine estates.

Address: Strada del Vino wine route:
Via Ricasoli 38, Arezzo
Web: www.stradadelvino.arezzo.it

Set within the Old Town pedestrianised area, this timeless, traditional Tuscan inn is ever-popular. The clock seems to have stopped in the 1950s. This family-run retro inn serves up trusty, homely Tuscan fare, including the Chianina, Tuscan steak. You can’t go wrong with the `antipasto misto’ (mixed appetisers), or with mushrooms or wild asparagus. Game is a house speciality, including wild boar stew served with pici, the local short, stubby pasta. Meals are decently-priced.

Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini 10, Arezzo
Web: www.agania.it

This cosy, unpretentious wine bar is run by the same family who own Antica Osteria L’Agania. The concept is clear: to offer excellent regional wines and well-priced platters of Tuscan cured meats and cheeses - all served in a rustic wine bar setting. The wines are mostly from Arezzo Province, backed up by wines from Chianti and Siena. In season, there are truffles, too.

Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini 14, Arezzo
Web: www.agania.it

This mid-priced fine-dining spot serves fancy, creative cuisine, beautifully presented, gourmet-style.
Expect seemingly bizarre taste combinations that actually work, such as fried egg with truffle-salted ice cream, or stubby pici pasta with peperoncino and white chocolate. Less adventurous diners can also tuck into such dishes as tagliolini with truffles or rabbit and garlic ravioli. The desserts include a sphere-shaped chocolate fondant and Vin Santo mousse.

Address: Via Oberdan 31, Arezzo

Tucked into a lovely loggia on the main square, the setting is as appealing as the elegant restaurant itself. In summer you can dine al fresco. Dishes are Italian and Tuscan classics but with a Modern Tuscan touch. On the menu might be T-bone Tuscan steak, or pici pasta in duck sauce, or courgette-stuffed ravioli with courgette flowers in a creamy pecorino and creamy saffron sauce. Prices are from mid-price upwards but still value for money.

Address: Piazza Grande 18/19, Arezzo
Web: https://www.ristorantelanciadoro.it/en/

Set just off the northern corner of the main square, this cosy wine bar and inn is a popular choice for a cheap and cheerful meal, such as a hearty ribollita soup, onion soup, roast pork, or a cheese platter. Or simply choose crostini accompanied by a glass of wine from a long list of well-chosen local selections. This spot is popular with both the market crowd and the antique-dealing fraternity.

Address: Piaggia San Martino 8, Arezzo
Web: www.latorredignicche.it