Located between the sea and mountains, Lucca boasts a simple, diverse, and genuine gastronomic scene that reveals much about its history, geography, and culture. The region is renowned for its farm-fresh ingredients, such as Garfagnana porcini mushrooms, chestnuts from its forests, cereals, and grains that are used to create some traditional dishes like Zuppa Frantoiana, rich in vegetables and grains, including beans, zucchini, pumpkin, celery, potatoes, black cabbage, and green cabbage; Minestra di Farro, a farro-based (spelt) soup with vegetables, grains, and bacon, topped with delicious olive oil from the region; Matuffi, a polenta-based (cornflour) dish usually served with meat sauce or porcini mushrooms; Rovelina alla Lucchese, features slices of breaded and fried meat cooked in tomato sauce with capers; and one of the most famous, Tordelli Lucchese, a type of pasta stuffed with a meat and herb mixture and served with a meat ragu. To taste these delicious local dishes and the innovations of the new restaurants, we have created a Lucca Restaurants Guide, from casual to exclusive.
Top Picks
Trattoria Da Giulio
Trattoria da Giulio is a warm and friendly restaurant where you can enjoy the traditional flavors of Lucca in a simple but delicate ambiance. This restaurant is popular among locals and visitors due to the exceptional quality of its dishes at affordable prices. Some of the must-try dishes include Tordelli Lucchese, Mattufi, and Spezzatino di vitella con olive.
Address: Via delle Conce, 45, 55100 a Lucca
Budget: $
Ristorante Buca di Sant’Antonio
Buca di Sant’Antonio is a renowned restaurant known for its rich history and traditional cuisine. Established in 1782, the restaurant offers handmade pasta, high-quality ingredients, and a selection of typical regional dishes. The warm and inviting atmosphere of the restaurant is steeped in history and tradition that can be felt in every corner. The menu features classic dishes such as Minestra de Farro e Fagioli and Risotto made with the beloved porcini mushrooms.
Address: Via della Cervia, 3, 55100 Lucca
Budget: $$
Ristorante Mecenate
Mecenate‘s is located in one of the most peaceful and suggestive areas of the historical center of Lucca, offering calmness and harmony while enjoying its delicious dishes. The cuisine reflects the love for the territory and the small producers who provide the ingredients. In more than a quarter of a century of history, it has created a unique and strong personality, always influenced by the passion of its chef, Sole, and the warm service of Stefano. Mecenate offers delicate and high-quality traditional dishes. These include Roveline and Tordelli Lucchese (exceptionals), and for dessert, Piatto forte Lucchese (sponge cake with liqueur, cream, and chocolate).
Address: Via del Fosso, 94, 55100 Lucca LU
Budget: $$
Antica Macelleria e Ciberia Pucci
A butcher shop that is also a steakhouse? It can’t go wrong. Antica Macelleria e Ciberia Pucci is one of the locals’ favorite steakhouses. And as a butcher shop with excellent, quality products, it ensures the same quality in its finished dishes. It is located just outside the historical center of Lucca, only a 15-minute walk from Porta San Pietro. As expected, its specialty is meat, mainly grilled. But they also have other dishes, such as pasta, soups, and charcuterie boards.
Address: Via Nottolini, 871, 55100 Lucca LU
Budget: $$
Osteria la Dritta
Osteria la Dritta is one of the most recent openings in Lucca. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with rustic and modern touches in the decor. It has a professional and friendly staff that makes you feel comfortable during your dining experience. This young restaurant offers a combination of traditional and innovative cuisine, using local ingredients. Some of the traditional dishes on the menu include Zuppa alla Frantoiana, while their innovative dishes include Anguilla alla brace with sauce alla cacciatora and radicchio. Overall, Osteria La Dritta is a restaurant that’s definitely worth a visit.
Address: Piazza S.Francesco, 33, 55100 Lucca LU
Budget: $$
Da Ciacco
Da Ciacco is located in Piazza Napoleone, one of the most famous squares in Lucca. In a cozy atmosphere overlooking the most important palaces of the city, you can enjoy a casual lunch or dinner. Da Ciacco offers a different menu where you will not find pasta or pizza. But it’s the ideal place to enjoy a glass of wine while tasting delicious products, cheeses, charcuterie, sandwiches, salads, and cold-cut platters.
Address: Piazza Napoleone, 10, 55100 Lucca
Budget: $
Pizzeria Sud
If there is something that is never missing in any Italian city, it’s a good pizzeria. In the historical center of Lucca, you will find Pizzeria Sud, one of the most loved by the locals. They are characterized by their selection of high-quality ingredients with which they make delicious classic pizzas such as Margherita and Marinara, as well as other more creative combinations such as Laura, a spicy pizza composed of San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, nduja calabra (chili pepper sausage), blue cheese, basil, extra virgin olive oil, and extra virgin olive oil.
Address: Via della Cavallerizza, 29 – Lucca
Budget: $
Ristorante Il Giglio
Il Giglio is a fine-dining restaurant, one of the best in Lucca, that lives by the motto “Past, Present, and Future”. They offer a cuisine ranging from traditional to contemporary, taking a step into the future. It’s a restaurant run by three creative young men who have taken it to the highest level – being awarded a Michelin star. They propose three types of tasting menus, as well as an a la carte menu, where you can choose the dishes of your preference. If you want to enjoy high-quality and refined cuisine in Lucca, this is the perfect place for you.
Address: Piazza del Giglio, 2, 55100 Lucca
Budget: $$$
Il Grammofono Restaurant & Wine
Il Grammofono is a hidden gem in Lucca’s historic center. The vintage and elegant decor of the restaurant evokes another era, creating an inviting and welcoming atmosphere. The philosophy of Il Grammofono cuisine is to showcase the flavors of the world using seasonal ingredients. This way, each month, you can embark on a sensory journey to different destinations through its dishes.
Address: Via della Fratta, 7, 55100 Lucca
Budget: $$
Pizzeria Funiculì
Funiculi is a local pizzeria in Lucca, just outside the city walls, only a 12-minute walk from Porta San Pietro. This pizzeria is a little piece of Naples in the city, from the delicious variety of pizza to the ambiance and decor. The menu is extensive, so it can often be challenging to choose between so many delectable combinations. Among my favorites are the spicy Calabrisella (Margherita-based pizza topped with spicy salami, olives, nduja, and peperoncino) and E Io Pago (Tomato, mozzarella, basil, bacon, gorgonzola and onion, olive oil).
Address: Viale S. Concordio, 483, 55100 Lucca
Budget: $
Lucca is a great city to taste the authentic flavors of the territory, as the number of tourist trap restaurants is very low. This means that the city has a wide range of quality restaurants, which are constantly growing. In this top 10 Lucca restaurant guide, I have listed just a few of the many restaurants I recommend.
Thank you to my guest blog contributor, Food & Travel Writer, Yareli Parra. She currently lives in Lucca and founded the blog, “Wandering & Tasting”. Check out her blog at wanderingandtasting.com and her amazing photography on Instagram @yareliparramora.
Follow Toscana Dream on Facebook and @thetoscanadream on Instagram & Pinterest.
