If you’re planning to visit this particular area in Tuscany, this article is best for you because we searched and tried some of the best restaurants in Siena that you should never miss on your visit to this part of Italy.
No matter what time of year, there are many reasons to visit this medieval city that is famous for its cuisine, among other things. However, it is not always easy to find the best restaurants in Siena when it comes to eating out.
From traditional Tuscan cuisine to more innovative dishes and wines from around the world, here are some of our top picks for great dining experiences in Siena, Italy.
12 Best Restaurants in Siena, Italy
Here are 12 best Siena restaurants you should consider when in this fantastic Tuscan hill town.
1. La Napoletana 2.0
Viale Sardegna, 37, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
La Napoletana 2.0 is located on Via di Città, which is just south of Piazza del Campo. This restaurant serves traditional Neapolitan cuisine at moderate prices. The wine list includes over 100 labels, including some very rare finds.
Their specialty dishes include the best pizza in Siena (mozzarella and buffalo ricotta). Desserts are also worth ordering; try the tiramisu or cannoli for your sweet tooth!
Service is excellent here, too — they’ll even give you complimentary limoncello if you’re celebrating your birthday.
2. Particolare di Siena
Via Baldassarre Peruzzi, 26, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Particolare di Siena is a Michelin-starred restaurant, so you can be sure that the quality of the food is outstanding. The menu changes daily based on what’s available at local markets and farms. Still, you won’t be disappointed with whatever they serve.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming; it’s easy to feel right at home here. The location is also perfect — the restaurant itself has an outdoor patio that overlooks Siena’s main square (Piazza del Campo), so you’ll get a beautiful view of this UNESCO World Heritage Site as you eat dinner.
3. La Taverna di San Giuseppe
Via Giovanni Duprè, 132, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
La Taverna di San Giuseppe is a small restaurant and wine bar located in Piazza del Campo, under the tower that houses the Museo Civico e della Resistenza di Siena (Municipal Museum of Siena and Resistance).
The chef, Fabio Tosi, has been named one of the best chefs in Italy. The menu changes every few months but always includes meat dishes with local products such as bistecca alla fiorentina (beef steak Florentine style) or pappardelle al cinghiale.
You can enjoy your meal with wine from their extensive list or choose one of their own unique cocktails. If you are lucky enough to be there on a Tuesday or Friday evening, you can experience a taste of la movida senese — the nightlife experience that takes place after dark in Piazza del Campo.
4. Osteria degli Svitat
Via della Galluzza, 34, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
A short walk from Piazza del Campo, Osteria degli Svitati is a great place to grab a bite while still having access to all of the city’s leading square offers. The restaurant is on the corner of Via del Pratello and Via delle Terme (the latter being the street behind Piazza del Campo), so you’ll have plenty to look at as you take your meal.
The menu at Osteria degli Svitati features local cuisine like pasta e fagioli or pasta e baccalà (both meaning “pasta and beans” or “pasta with cod,” respectively). The seafood dishes are also excellent — try ordering either baccalà alla senese (cod cooked in salted water) or frittura di pesce (fish fry).
If you’re looking for something lighter than fish, try one of their salads: one contains chopped vegetables mixed with anchovies and vinegar; another has artichokes, olives, and capers; there’s even one topped with prosciutto di Parma, one of the best Italian cured meats, if you want something meatier.
5. Osteria Permalico
Costa Larga, 4, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Permalico is located right in the heart of Siena, making it a great place to stop for lunch or dinner on your way to the next sight. The cuisine is traditional Tuscan with lots of meat and cheese – as you might expect from a city once home to many medieval monks.
For those looking for something lighter, there are plenty of vegetarian options.
Permalico has been awarded one Michelin star since 2014; however, they don’t typically list their hours on their website, so make sure to call ahead before planning your trip!
Here is the number you can call to book a table at Osteria Permalico: +39 0577 41105.
6. Tre Cristi Enoteca Ristorante
Vicolo di Provenzano, 1/7, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Tre Cristi Enoteca Ristorante is located on the main street of Siena, where you can enjoy delicious food with a great view. It has an open terrace and garden in front of it and is right across from the Piazza del Campo. The interior is also warm and welcoming, with a beautiful bar area at one end and dining tables at the other.
The restaurant specializes in traditional Tuscan cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients, including dishes like fettuccine alla norcina (sausage), ossobuco alla senese (veal shank), frittata allo straccio di bietole rosse e fiordilatte di grana (chicken liver crêpe), or tagliatelle al tartufo nero con le mazzancolle e porcini (black truffle pasta with chanterelles).
If you’re looking for something lighter, try their carpaccio di bistecca alla fiorentina or insalata di gamberoni e zucchine con verdure croccanti e crema al basilico.
7. Salefino Vino & Cucina
Via degli Umiliati, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Salefino is a wine bar, restaurant, and shop located in the historic center of Siena, just a few steps from Piazza del Campo.
You can find pasta, meat, fish, and seafood dishes on the menu such as spaghetti with tomatoes and basil, ravioli with spinach, risotto with mushrooms, fish soup, and grilled tuna steak served with rice and vegetables.
There are also daily specials that change depending on what’s available from local producers (many of whom are certified organic). The food is delicious — and affordable!
8. Osteria La Sosta di Violante
Via Pantaneto, 115, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
It’s a little out of the way, but this restaurant is well worth the extra effort. It’s located off Via di San Giovanni, between Piazza del Campo and Piazza del Mangia.
The food here is excellent, with a daily menu based on what their local suppliers can provide. The price range for drinks and food is about €30 to €40.
The atmosphere at Osteria La Sosta di Violante is casual enough to feel comfortable with jeans but nice enough to not feel underdressed in your best suit or dress.
As far as reputation goes, this restaurant has been around since 1972 and has earned several awards from various publications over the years.
9. Oro di Siena
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 61, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Oro di Siena is located in the heart of Siena. The restaurant serves various Tuscan cuisines such as gnocchi, pasta, and risotto. The restaurant also serves desserts made with seasonal ingredients that will keep you coming back for more.
This eatery is conveniently located, being near to so many other attractions in the city if you want to explore after dinner.
The price range here is moderate-to-expensive but definitely worth it if you’re looking for some great food while visiting Siena.
10. Ristorante Gallo Nero
Via del Porrione, 65-67, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Located in the center of town, this is another one of the most popular restaurants in Siena.
The menu offers traditional Tuscan cuisine, from spaghetti with meatballs to risotto alla chitarra (with a guitar-shaped pasta).
The prices are reasonable, the service is excellent — and if you’re lucky enough to get a table on the terrace overlooking the medieval city walls, you’ll be treated to a fantastic view!
11. Osteria Le Sorelline
Via dei Rossi, 76, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Osteria Le Sorelline is located on Via di Monte Oliveto and offers a traditional Tuscan menu. The restaurant has been around for over 30 years, making it a mainstay in the Sienese dining scene.
This family-run restaurant serves some of the best local dishes in town at reasonable prices. It’s one of those places where you can get good food without having to go broke — a real rarity in Italy!
Le Sorelline features an extensive wine list that includes all sorts of delicious vintages from Chianti Classico to Soave Classico, as well as an array of seasonal specials crafted by their talented chef, who also happens to be an expert sommelier.
12. Ristorante La Finestra
Piazza Mercato, 14, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Ristorante La Finestra is located in Siena’s Piazza Mercato and features a menu that includes antipasti such as crostini, panzanella salad, and mushrooms on toast.
The pasta dishes include lasagna, homemade gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce, ravioli stuffed with vegetables and ricotta cheese, or spinach and ricotta cheese, and rigatoni con arrabbiata e Ceci (spicy tomato sauce with chickpeas). For dessert, there’s tiramisu or panna cotta.
The restaurant also offers take-out orders for customers who would like to enjoy their meal at home or any other location.