The Top 10 Restaurants In Volterra, Italy
Walk down the cobbled streets in this well-preserved ancient Etruscan city in Tuscany, famous for its carved alabaster goods and a feature in the popular Twilight series. Volterra is a beautiful city to visit, and it is full of excellent restaurants around every corner. Here’s our list of the top ten restaurants in Volterra before you plan your next Italian getaway.
Ristorante-Enoteca Del Duca
Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian
Owned and run by the Del Duca family, this restaurant and wine cellar opened in 2001. The chefs create traditional Tuscan favorites featuring delicious rich meats, vegetables, cold cuts, cheeses, mushrooms, and white truffles. The menu changes seasonally so as to serve only the freshest meals. Sit under the vaulted ceiling in the dining area or in the peaceful courtyard. Each item on the menu can be paired with the best Tuscan wine recommended by one of the on site sommeliers.
Osteria Di Villa Felice
Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Italian
Located in the picturesque Tuscan countryside just out from the city center, Osteria Di Villa Felice has the wonderful combination of delicious food and a breathtaking view. The building was formerly an old manor house and was recently restored as an inn and restaurant. The farmhouse is surrounded by the hilly countryside, perfect for a leisurely walk after your meal. The restaurant serves traditional Tuscan and Sardinian dishes made from high quality ingredients. Enjoy fresh pasta, succulent meats like Tuscan boar stew or free-range chicken, and homemade desserts like Sardinian nougat with almonds and hazelnuts.
La Carabaccia
This trattoria, named after a Tuscan vegetable soup, was started by sisters Sara, Lalla, and Patrizia. The menu changes every day to accommodate the freshest and most seasonal produce from local vendors. The Carabaccia soup is a specialty here, but visitors can also try some of the various homemade pasta dishes prepared with sauces made from wild boar, rabbit, and more. The dishes are made from authentic family recipes. You’ll find favorites like ravioli with ricotta and spinach served with a meat sauce, pasta with lamb and artichokes, or guinea fowl served with olives.
La Vecchia Lira
Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian
This family-run restaurant is located in the heart of Volterra, and here you’ll find true Italian recipes prepared with care to tradition. Using seasonal ingredients from local producers, the restaurant has a rotating menu to serve the freshest meals possible. During lunch hours, La Vecchia Lira offers a self service option for high quality quick meals. There are options of cold or hot dishes including cold cut meats, bruschetta, vegetable soup, pasta, steak, and more. In the evenings, the restaurant serves its full service dinner menu. The dinner menu includes options like Florentine steak, Chianina beef steaks, wild boar, pasta, and more.
Osteria dei Poeti
Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian
Typical Tuscan fare is served at Osteria dei Poeti, including antipasto del poeta, canapés, cheeses, and cold cuts. The restaurant is full of character and charm with its vaulted ceilings and arches. Sit in the cozy, bright dining area and relax with a glass of wine from the huge collection, servers can always help pair a wine with your meal. At Osteria dei Poeti your fresh Tuscan meal will look as good as it tastes.
Molino d’Era
Hotel
Molino d’Era is a hotel and restaurant that serves genuine Tuscan dishes. Although it looks quite modest from the outside, the interior dining area has a warm, rustic ambiance with beautiful terracotta arched ceilings. At Molino d’Era you’ll break away from the tourist traps with pricey, overcomplicated meals and instead eat like the Volterrans do. Expect simple country-style dishes cooked fresh and reasonably priced served in a casual and relaxing environment.
Osteria La Pace
Restaurant, Italian
Osteria La Pace‘s history dates back to the 1600s, and since 1939, the restaurant has been managed by the same family. The restaurant is located inside Volterra’s walls near Porta a Selci, and it is a typical Volterra inn that’s full of history. Every dish is made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, like traditional homemade tagliatelle with Lardo di Colonnata and Volterran truffle, local cold cuts, strozzapreti pasta with boar, and gnocchi with pumpkin and pecorino cheese.
Sapori di Toscana
Restaurant, Italian
Sapori di Toscana is a quaint, charming Tuscan restaurant that serves fresh made panini sandwiches. This restaurant is another great spot to go to avoid crowds of tourists, but it’s not designed for sit-down eating as there is only one small table. The family run restaurant has excellent service, and everything is prepared quickly with high quality ingredients. Try the bruschetta and focaccia or any one of the tasty sandwiches.
Pizzeria da Nanni
This old fashioned, family run establishment is everything you want in an authentic Italian pizzeria. The kitchen is complete with a traditional wood stove to give the pizzas their crisp texture. The pizza dough is handmade and shaped every day before it’s topped with fresh ingredients. Enjoy a casual lunch here with a traditional pizza, friendly service, and a fun environment.
Ristorante Don Beta
Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian
Enjoy authentic Tuscan flavors at Ristorante Don Beta, a spacious restaurant divided into several small, cozy rooms, including some wine cellars where wine tasting can be arranged. Try the homemade pasta with a variety of freshly made sauces, Chianina Florentine steaks, and specialty truffle and mushroom dishes that use the mushrooms that grow in the woods around Volterra. The servers tend to take their time with their tables, so plan a leisurely meal.