Eating and Drinking

In rural Chianti, food and wine are the real religion. Our recommended local wine estates with restaurants include Dievole, Castello di Ama, Casanuova di Ama, Rocca delle Macie, Fonterutoli and Castello di Selvole, all featured in this guide. For other estates, do see our individual Chianti guides.

The local Chianti cuisine is as traditional as the castle-strewn countryside. Rustic ribollita soup, often made with black cabbage and beans, is on the menu. Not for nothing are Tuscans derided as `bean-eaters’ by grander culinary rivals. Typical dishes include ribbons of pappardelle pasta in a meaty wild boar sauce or a massive T-bone steak, bistecca alla fiorentina.

This is just a taster to the Chianti. See our restaurant recommendations below and also see our other guides to top Chianti towns and villages, all accessed through our Destinations listings, In particular, see our guides to Lecchi in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti, which are all nearby.

Although not cheap, this friendly, traditional inn is far better value than comparable restaurants in neighbouring Siena. Locals consider it every bit as good, particularly for grilled meats and pasta. Chef Andrea concocts typical Tuscan dishes, such as hearty ribollita soup, fried courgettes, tagliatelle or ravioli with meaty ragù sauce, and his signature Florentine style T-bone steak. This mid-priced rustic-elegant restaurant opens onto a pleasant summer terrace. This is the spot from which to view the October L’Eroica vintage bike race, www.eroicagaiole.com.


Address: Via del Sergente 4
Vagliagli
53019
Castelnuovo Berardenga
Tel: 0577 322532

This much-loved, mid-priced inn is highly-rated by both the locals and visitors. Tuck into their vegetarian-friendly antipasti, including herbs and vegetables from the chef’s kitchen gardens. Typical dishes include Pecorino and pear tortellini, truffled gnocchi, stewed rabbit, wild boar stew, and panna cotta. Book ahead and request a table on the terrace in fine weather. If impressed by dinner do the cookery course with chef Simone Murici, including Chianti Classico wine-pairing. Learn how to make a complete meal, featuring such dishes as ravioli, steak, ragu sauce, truffle dishes and tiramisu. The morning course ends with you eating your feast. The cookery course costs around €135 per person. This village inn is set in Lecchi in Chianti about 5 km off the SS408 Gaiole-Siena road.

Address: Via Monteluco 4
Localita Lecchi in Chianti
53013
Gaiole in Chianti

Tel: 0577 746201
Web: www.malborghetto.net

Set in a vaulted palazzo in the heart of Castellina in Chianti, this big, bustling taverna (tavern) showcases pasta dishes along with the wines and olive oil from the local Fattoria la Castellina. Expect a mix of modern Tuscan and inventive Italian cooking with such tweaks as serving wild boar in a chocolate sauce. Try the duck in Chianti sauce, the pumpkin risotto or the chick-pea flour cannelloni with truffle sauce. Enjoy wine pairings if wished in this mid-priced inn. Sit on the sunny terrace built into the medieval town walls and drink it all in.

Address: Via Ferruccio 26
53011
Castellina in Chianti
Tel: 0577 741405
Web: www.squarcialupirelaxinchianti.com