The Top 10 Restaurants In Cortona, Italy

Nestled in Via Ghibellina, one of Cortona’s steepest and most enchanting streets, La Bucaccia is a charming restaurant focusing on typical Tuscan cuisine. Owner Romano Magi is a charcuterie and Denominazione di Origine Protettacheese connoisseur and his wife and chef Agostina is a champion of local cuisine. Guests are guaranteed a truly authentic dining experience with dishes like wild boar tartare and homemade tagliolino pasta with truffles on the menu. La Bucaccia’s locale is as delightful as its cuisine, boasting two cozy yet elegant dining rooms and a street-side terrace open during summer with gorgeous views out over Tuscany’s beautiful Chiana Valley.

Chef and Cortona native Matteo Sciarri opened Ristorante Ambrosia in 2011. Located in an historic building featuring a partial glass floor giving way to views of the Etruscan-era well that sits below the restaurant, guests will be treated to unique dining experience. Chef Sciarri’s mix of traditional Tuscan and Mediterranean fare are highlighted by dishes like pappardelle pasta with wild boar ragu alongside plates such as roast suckling pig with black cabbage stew and spicy, creamy apple sauce.

A cozy, welcoming little place located in the historical heart of Cortona, Bar 500 has been serving its signature Italian eats for over a decade. Grab some snack-style fare like focaccia and panini sandwiches or stay for a full meal with daily special pasta dishes or made-to-order pizzas, all complemented by a range of Tuscan and Umbrian wines.

Opened in 1994 by chef Emiliano Rossi, Osteria del Teatro is a romantic restaurant located in a beautifully restored 6th-century building, offering a modern reinterpretation of traditional Tuscan cuisine. Combine antipasti like venison tartare with orange, fennel and black olives with dishes such as yellow squash gnocchi with a sweet-and-sour wild boar ragu. Follow this with a second courses of codfish with pureed chickpeas, capers and anchovies. To finish, try a Tuscan cheese plate or go for indulgent desserts like homemade gelato.

Ristorante Preludio has maintained its reputation as one of Cortona’s best loved dining destinations since first opening almost 20 years ago. Traditional Tuscan cuisine updated for the modern palate and crafted in accordance with the seasons is the focus. On offer is ravioli stuffed with pumpkin and Cinta Senese pork, served with mascarpone and salmon roe, or snail-stuffed pigeon served on a bed of leeks with spicy herbs and a polenta flan. All complemented by an extensive list of Tuscan and international wines.

As the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the province of Arezzo, Ristorante Falconiere is a must-do dining destination for any discerning foodie. Located on the outskirts of Cortona on the grounds of the luxury hotel and spa Relais Il Falconiere, the restaurant features panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Local chef Silvia Regi Baracchi oversees two menus brimming with the traditional flavors of Tuscany. Choose from an à la carte menu offering dishes like rabbit with tomato confit and black eye peas or a Chianina beef tasting menu, featuring fare like beef tartare or ossobuco with marrow cream and saffron. By Helen Armitage