If you’re wondering where to eat on your visit to San Gimignano, you’ve come to the right place. This article will help you decide where to dine among the best restaurants in San Gimignano.
Located in the province of Siena in Tuscany, San Gimignano is in the center of many popular travel destinations. This charming medieval town will give you an authentic experience of the Tuscan countryside, outside of the region’s major cities like Florence and Siena. Its location is a perfect base if you’re traveling in Tuscany, just an hour away from Florence and about 45 minutes from Siena.
As you approach San Gimignano, you’ll understand why it’s known as “medieval Manhattan.” Its incredible skyline is dotted with dozens of centuries-old towers built by the town’s overly competitive citizens, which earned it the title “la città dalle belle Torri” – or “the Town of Fine Towers.”
San Gimignano had over 70 towers at one point in its long history. Only 14 are left today, medieval reminders of the wealth that once flourished in Tuscany’s finest hill town. The historic center of San Gimignano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an enthralling place in the heart of Italy.
The people of San Gimignano are just as proud of their food these days. While you’re here, make the most of it by dining at the following fantastic San Gimignano restaurants.
10 Best Restaurants in San Gimignano, Italy
Let’s have a look at the 10 best restaurants in San Gimignano, Italy.
1. Ristorante San Martino 26
Via S. Martino, 26, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
Ristorante San Martino 26 is one of the most popular San Gimignano restaurants.
Brick arches, white tablecloths, dark wood chairs, and brightly lit candelabras are common decorative elements. One look at the menu tells you you’re somewhere else.
Order sashimi for variety. Salmon, chives, cucumber, and citrus dressing are a welcome departure from Tuscan classics. The main courses transport you to Tuscany.
Gnocco dumplings in roast sauce with mussels and courgette flowers are recommended. You’ll have deviated from the norm with pigeon curry with cherry, a must-try in San Gimignano
2. Osteria Delle Catene
Via Mainardi, 18, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
The Osteria Delle Catene is a cozy and traditional restaurant in San Gimignano, and it is known for serving dishes like the gran tagliere dellosteria, which is a large mixed antipasto that can be shared by two people.
The restaurant specializes in traditional dishes from the area, such as stracotto al chianti, and offers a selection of wines at prices that are more than reasonable.
3. Ristorante Perucà
Via Capassi, 16, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
It’s easy to see the history of every stone when looking at the stone façade and crawling ivy that highlights the exterior of this San Gimignano favorite. You’ll likely feel like you’re being treated to something special as you sit underneath the domed brick ceiling at one of the few secluded tables.
The family recipes at Ristorante Perucà are unique in their authenticity and deeply embedded tradition.
As a light appetizer, we recommend the house risotto tossed with Cinta Senese ham, courgette flowers, and seasonal truffle flakes. It’s a tasty way to start your meal without being too heavy.
You should stick to a local favorite for your main course. Try the Wild Boar “Made the Old Way,” marinated overnight in red wine and spices for a tender, juicy, and flavorful finish.
4. Ristorante Le Vecchie Mura
Via Piandornella, 15, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
Le Vecchie Mura has the best view among any restaurants in San Gimignano and is synonymous with Italian country dining. Its garden-inspired decor keeps white tablecloths and silver cutlery from feeling stuffy. Le Vecchie Mura is a refined experience with family roots.
You can start your meal with a sweet and sour appetizer, prosciutto e melone (ham and melon), then have a space for the second course after homemade short pasta with cherry tomatoes and burrata. The aroma of the peposo beef stew will surely help you finish the hearty meals.
5. RiccaPizza
Via S. Giovanni, 94, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy / Via S. Matteo, 5, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
San Gimignano has many sit-down restaurants, but travelers on the go can’t go wrong with a pizza joint. Because of the massive brick oven, there isn’t much room to sit inside these tiny pizza shops located in San Gimignano’s via San Matteo and via San Giovanni. But this is the kind of pizza best enjoyed on your feet, so sitting is not exactly a requirement!
There’s a fantastic selection of fresh, locally sourced toppings, and it’s easy to overdo it. However, if you’re looking for a flavorful, well-balanced pizza, try the Bianca Asparagi e Pancetta. It has a mix of asparagus, bacon, and fresh tomatoes that perfectly complement each other.
6. La Mangiatoia
Via Mainardi, 5, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
La Mangiatoia is a very popular restaurant in the Tuscan region that is known for its delectable cuisine and its eclectic ambiance. Specialties include gnocchi deliziosi, tagliatelle dell’amore, and cervo in dolce et forte.
Each of the desserts is of the highest quality. For its ravioli, which are widely regarded as among the very best in all of Italy, La Mangiatoia has earned a reputation as one of the most highly regarded dining establishments in San Giminiano.
7. Azienda Agricola Palagetto
Via Racciano, 10, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
A trip to the Tuscan countryside wouldn’t be complete without a stop at a local winery. Our favorite in the area is Azienda Agricola Palagetto, one of the best wineries in San Gimignano.
This winery has been in the same family for three generations. During that time, it has seen a lot of changes in Italy’s history, but it still follows deep-rooted traditions that haven’t changed.
The wine tastings here are also a great deal for how good they are. For €18, they offer an hour-long, four-wine tasting with a sommelier.
However, Palagetto doesn’t only offer wine but tasty Tuscan food as well – at very reasonable prices. They also provide “Wild Tasting,” which includes a taste of rich cured meats from Cinta Senese along with their house reds.
8. Ristorante Dulcisinfundo
Via Degli Innocenti, 21, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
When you walk under the brick arches that lead to this local favorite, you might think of the vast catacombs in Rome. This architecture made one of the best restaurants in San Gimignano.
There are cozy tables and hidden places to sit while the chefs focus on making authentic Tuscan food. Albeit small, Dulcisinfundo is perfect for lunch or dinner if you’re traveling with your family because it’s friendly.
All the dishes at Dulcisinfundo are made with herbs and olive oil from a small farm hidden behind the restaurant. This pride and authenticity come through in dishes like the pappardelle with wild boar sauce and the pork fillet with vinsanto-glazed chicory.
You will not be let down. And make sure to get the exceptional selection of Tuscan sheep cheeses with honey and homemade jams.
9. La Mandragola
Via Diacceto, 23, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
La Mandragola brings outdoor dining to a new level with its gravel-paved and well-shaded patio. Many of San Gimignano’s famous castles from the Middle Ages can be seen in the views. It’s where we would take you for lunch if we could take you anywhere.
La Mandragola gets its ingredients close to where the food is served. After you’ve had an aperol spritz, we suggest a starter of veal with tuna sauce and shrimp in burrata.
These are simple dishes, but the fact that they taste buttery and melt in your mouth shows how good the ingredients are.
10. Spizzicheria Le Chicche Toscane
Via S. Martino, 5, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy
One of the most highly-rated restaurants in San Gimignano, Spizzicheria Le Chicche Toscane is situated on a quiet street and offers great Tuscan food at fair prices. To focus on the best quality ingredients, they keep their menu small – all high quality, all traditional. Try the Pici al ragu di cinghiale (Pici with wild boar ragu) and the scrumptious bruschetta; you will not regret!
Here you can sit outside and enjoy your lunch in the shade as you savor the gentle breeze of the Tuscan countryside. However, you have to make sure to get at this ristorante on time since there’s only limited seating availability.
Spizzicheria Le Chicche Toscane is a must when in San Gimignano.