Val d’Orcia is a mecca of a delicious food. In our trips since 2008 we do not remember a restaurant where we would not like the food. There is always a challenge what to choose despite that menus are typically short.
​
Every good meal should start with some appetiser, be it cold cuts of local prosciutto, pecorino cheese or variety of crostinis. In the season we love burrata with king-sized tomatoes often harvested from the restaurant's garden.
​
From pastas we love three that we find the best representing local cuisine: our kids favourite pici with wild boar sauce (alla cinghiale), tagliolini with fresh truffles (for Pavel) and ravioli with butter and sage (for Eva).
​
From the meat, there is of course la bistecca Fiorentina, one of the best steaks in the world and a great meal for sharing (given that its typical weight with a bone is north of 1,3 kg or 3 pounds). But great alternative, still heavy, though, is a wild boar stew (spezzatino) or slowly cooked Chianina beef (pepposo).
​
​
​
​
​
​
To close a good dinner, one needs to take a dolce which is guaranteed to be fantastic!
​
We love to mix our food choices, so you will find all types of price levels in our recommendations. For true Tuscan experience we highly recommend eating also in some agriturismo-based restaurants (called Agristoro) where you have a guarantee of fresh ingredients and splendid views over the rolling hills.
NEAREST PLACES
Dopolavoro
La Foce +39 578 754 025
​
Dopolavoro (='"after work" in Italian) is our nearest restaurant and we used to frequent it very often. However, our friends Asia and Helena, that used to run the place, decided to take a break after 2022 season. There is a new team, slightly revised menu since - food is still very good, you just might wait a bit longer as the team needs to optimise their routines. The place has both interior and exterior seating and good selection of wines at very friendly prices. While driving up make sure you take in the views of the “Tuscan” winding road on your left side. In the night, watch out for boars.
​
Pizzeria Green Point
Contignano +39 335 830 7094 +39 339 312 5658
​
This is the nearest place for pizza, just 3 km away across the valley in the village of Contignano. Do not be taken aback by its rundown ambience, the pizza is authentic, thin and available throughout the day. Best is to call ahead and pick it up, you will have your dinner in less than 20 minutes on the table. And its incredibly great value, most pizzas cost around 5-6 EUR. While you are in the village, you can stock up on the food basics in the local convenience store, just next to the Castello di Contignano.
MONTEPULCIANO 14km
Osteria Porta di Bacco
Via di Gracciano nel Corso 102, +39 0578 757948
​
Right after the lower gate to the medieval centre, it evokes to be a typical tourist catch. But the owner Andrea (also owning very good enoteca and another restaurant in town) ensures the high quality of meals and service with his daily presence. Do not be surprised if he takes your order or collects the plates in the peak hours. The cuisine is Tuscan but with a fusion of modern cooking. If you are bigger group, we recommend doing a combo: do wine tasting in La Bottega di Vino Nobile and order food from this place, just tell the staff you come from Chiancianello
Osteria Acquacheta
Via del Teatro 22, +39 0578 758 443
​
This is a must do if you want to eat like a local. The unpretentious interior in basic rustic style is well compensated by the great local cuisine. As menu is changing all the time, everything we tried was delicious but steaks are their signature (we are pretty much regulars here once a week). However, if you want a wine other than the house one, bring your own bottle - they encourage it to keep food prices moderate. And you might bring wine glasses as well, as they serve any liquid in water glasses :-). Reservation is recommended, it gets packed pretty quickly, even off season.
Teatro
Via del Teatro, +39 0578 440 368​
Small but vibrant place that has a special atmosphere thanks to the host Salvatore. He is very attentive to every group, knows his wines extremely well and rotates the menu so that we always find something new here. Food is based on season and not strictly traditional Tuscan recipes. If you are lucky, try shrimps deep friend inside the glass-noodles and served with sweet&sour dip - easily the best meal in town for our family. But their barley risotto or lentil soup are delicious as well. Ambience is equally captivating as you will be sitting in the cellars of the beautiful Teatro di Montepulciano with its active list of performances during the season.
BAGNO VIGNONI 14km
Osteria del Leone - Michelin recommended
+39 0577 887300
​
A Michelin-recommended osteria with a chef Andrea who is mixing local dishes and seafood meals prepared with seasonal ingredients. Definitely a bit lighter than most places around but heavier on the wallet :-). But we love the service by Raluca and ever-changing menu. Tagliolini with fresh white truffles are a must if they have it on the special’s menu. If you are tired of central tuscan dishes, fish has never dissapointed. For dessert, panacotta with strawberries is best ever. Seating is available both outside and inside.
Bistrot Languorino. +39 0577 888935
​
Relatively newly opened in 2019, this is a non-pretentious place with pleasant outside seating under big trees. You can choose from the menu, but make sure you check out the daily specials first. Our favorite are scrigni, pasta filled with delicious filling and covered by pistacchio crumblings. In any case, you will not pay a fortune here while portions are more than filling :-)
Il Loggiato. +39 0577 888973
​
A small place with both outside and inside seating, located right at the Roman pool in the center of the village. The menu is quite unusual, yet very Tuscan – you will not find much pasta (if any) on the menu, the choices are more about vegetables, cheese and meat. All we tried was yummy, but lamb skewers were just delicious.
MONTICCHIELLO 16km
La Guardiola.
+39 331 880 0443
​
This is more a bistro, for a smaller bite, a drink or a coffee located just before the gate to the town (good pitstop when on a bike). It’s a very friendly place with an informal atmosphere run by a young team. It has great views over the valley under pleasant shades of fig trees and an (almost) adjacent kids’ playground. Good budget alternative to La Porta or Daria, especially for families. Kitchen is very small but salads are one of the best in the valley. In summer offer yummy ice-cream!
Daria.
+39 0578 755170 (ex Cantina della Porta)
​
The charismatic owner Daria (unfortunately passed away in spring 2023) that used to run also Osteria La Porta was a truly local champion. She was a avid promoter of slow food and tuscan wines served at the highest quality. Despite not receiving a Michelin start we always feel the ambition is there. Like in more famous La Porta, you will find same quality of food and service, further inside the little town, with larger premises. We prefer this place when coming with friends or family, the atmosphere is more relaxed and homier compared to the elegant La Porta. And they opened enoteca/bar next door in 2022.
Osteria La Porta - Michelin recommended
+39 578 755 163
​
Right at the hill-top town gates, this became a popular place (almost too much), so you typically need a reservation. For the perfect experience, ask for a table at the outside terrace – you will be sitting on the medieval ramparts with views of the Tuscan rolling hills, Pienza and maybe even an amazing sunset. It’s slow food, ideal for an adult-only meal. Despite the ownership changed in 2019, chef, delicious menu and warm service remain.