7 Best Restaurants in Chianti, Tuscany

In an ancient wine cellar owned by the Antinori family—who also happen to own much of what you see in the area—is a sophisticated restaurant ably run by chef Marcello Crini and his attentive staff. The menu changes seasonally; traditional Tuscan cuisine is given a delightful twist through the use of unexpected herbs. The extensive wine list includes local vintages as well as numerous international labels. Daylong cooking courses are also available.

Outside the walls of Badia a Coltibuono is the abbey's pleasant restaurant, with seating on a terrace teeming with flowers or in soft-yellow rooms divided by ancient brick arches. The menu is schooled in Tuscan flavors, but has twists and flights of fantasy.

Sample the local vino while satisfying your appetite with simply prepared and presented bruschetta, soups, and pastas. In summer, a few tables are set in the shade under the trees in the town's main square.

On Sunday afternoon, this old-fashioned farmhouse-esque trattoria is teeming with lively Italian families. Grilled meats are the specialty of the house, and if you have room for dessert, the kitchen whips up a mean tiramisu. Eat in the dining room, or choose a shady table in the garden overlooking the vineyards. The restaurant is 4 km (2 miles) west of Passignano.

A perfect stop for lunch while exploring the region's wineries, this trattoria offers cucina casalinga (home cooking) that can be eaten in the dining room or on a lovely outdoor patio. Outstanding primi include maccheroni alla nonna (macaroni with asparagus in a light cream sauce dotted with truffle oil). The misto alla griglia (mixed grilled meats) includes succulent pork. Also notable is the filetto al pepe verde (Chianina beef in a creamy green-peppercorn sauce).

This pleasant restaurant, with outdoor seating on Gaiole's main square, is as popular with the locals as it is with travelers. The menu, presented on small blackboards, has the occasional unexpected item, like the plate of perfectly grilled vegetables that is listed as an antipasto but is practically a meal in itself. The kitchen also makes its own delicious pastries and ice cream, so skipping dessert is difficult. Reservations are essential on weekends.

Relax amid vineyards on a countryside terrace with one of Chianti's most spectacular views, namely that of vineyards in the valley of the River Pesa. Enjoy the sophisticated menu, which pairs perfectly with the wine list (many of its selections are from what's growing around you). Try any of the delicious desserts. It's in La Piazza, 15 km (8 miles) north of Castellina.