The Best Local Bars in Siena, Italy

One of several bars carrying the legendary Nannini name in Siena. Located in the heart of the Civetta district, this place is always buzzing with nonnas (grandmothers) at breakfast and aperitivo time. Try some of the best pastries Siena has to offer, from breakfast bomboloni to proper panforte. They are justly proud of the quality of their coffee, which you can smell down the street.

Although recently renovated, Bar Impero, situated just outside Siena’s historic centre, retains some of the original elegance which has made it a favourite for over a hundred years. This is a place for real coffee connoisseurs, serving only the Neapolitan Passalacqua brand, which you can sip at the bar, just like a local. A leisurely pre-dinner drink will go down perfectly here.

With a name meaning “I drink” in Latin, you’d expect the clientele here to be an educated bunch. Indeed, Bibò is one of the most popular bars with Siena’s student population, happily situated right next to the main university building. Here you can hobnob with Italy’s future elite and pick up anything from your morning coffee to an afternoon gelato or after-dinner nightcap. They’ll even whip you up a panino if you’re hungry.

Located near Siena’s Medici Fortress in the San Prospero district, it doesn’t get more local than this. The exterior, complete with red postbox and public telephone sign, will transport you back to more innocent times. See all Italian life here – whether sitting outside with a cold beer to watch the world go by, or staying inside to eavesdrop on a lively discussion. On top of that, the stunning quality of Silvana’s sandwiches is the stuff of Sienese legend.

Near an elegant park, Antico Bar La Lizza is the place where everyone knows your name. There’s as great a selection of pastries as you’ll find in any bar in Siena, with a large range of local wines, too. A big plus is that it happens to be near a bus stop used by many wine tour companies, so it’s a great place to wait and warm up for the trip.

The owner of this bar is not called Charlie, but Riccardo. However, if you want to know where the locals drink their cocktails, this is the place. Riccardo is passionate about his work and has been voted among the 10 best barmen in Tuscany – as well as serving you a glass, he offers a range of innovative cocktails in a can, developed during lockdown to keep the bar alive. No need to look at the menu – they do a kicking moscow mule.

A drink in Bar il Palio, right on the Piazza del Campo, is a must when in Siena, if only for the view. Surprisingly, for a bar in such a central location, it’s also full of locals who come to enjoy the finest open space in their city. You’ll pay a little more to sit outside, but why not? Whether you’re in the mood for a morning coffee or watching the sun go down over a cocktail, Bar il Palio is perfect for a drink in Siena.

Although styled as a British pub rather than an Italian bar, Il Maudit is always full of Sienese in for an evening of entertainment. As well as a wide range of beers, Maudit boasts some great pizza and ciaccini — local stuffed flatbreads — to keep you going.