The small Tuscan hill town of Cortona in Arezzo, Italy is not only rich in beauty and culture but also boasts a vibrant dining scene. We round up Cortona’s very best local restaurants from typical Tuscan fare to gourmet burgers.
While Tuscany may be better known for its wines, that doesn’t mean beer fans will be disappointed. The region’s craft brew scene is booming, and Cortona’s Birrificio Cortonese is no different. The cozy brewpub, opened in early 2013 in the town’s historic center, specializes in Tuscany-made beers served alongside a range of other Italian and imported beer. The light menu features plenty of pizza, focaccia, Tuscan and Bavarian-inspired sharing boards and other local dishes, making the perfect accompaniment to its craft brews.
Birrificio Cortonese, Via Guelfa 16, Cortona, Italy, +39 0575 613 828
Opened in 1980 and still owned and operated by original owners the Castelli family, Trattoria Dardano is one of Cortona’s most popular restaurants serving classic Tuscan cuisine. For a taste of local cuisine start with the crostini neri (chicken liver on toasted bread) appetizer followed by a bowl of ribollita (a hearty Tuscan soup of bread, beans and vegetables) before a meaty main of bistecca fiorentina (Florentine-style T-bone steak). Finish with a Tuscan-inspired dessert of cantucci biscuits, and wash it down with a glass or two of Trattoria Dardano’s local wines.
Trattoria Dardano, Via Dardano 24, Cortona, Italy, +39 0575 601 944
Diners looking for an alternative to Cortona’s delicious Tuscan cuisine can’t go wrong with a visit to Beerbone Art Burger. A recent addition to the town’s dining scene it specializes in gourmet burgers teamed with local craft beers. Popular options include the spicy tuna burger with calamari rings and wasabi mayo on a sesame seed bun, the venison burger and the spiced lamb burger with Sriracha mayo on a toasted English muffin.
Beerbone Art Burger, Via Nazionale 55, Cortona, Italy, +39 0575 601 790
Bottega Baracchi is a truly local dining experience from its interior crafted from Tuscan-sourced materials, to its tempting cuisine focusing on Tuscan culinary traditions. Guests can opt for mouthwatering dishes like homemade pici pasta with traditional hot green tomato sauce or duck breast baked with spices and honey and served with shallots and spinach. Truly dedicated foodies can take part in Bottega Baracchi’s regular cooking lessons and demonstrations to learn the secrets behind the delicious cuisine.
Bottega Baracchi, Via Nazionale 78, Cortona, Italy, +39 0575 613 874