12 Best Restaurants in Chianti, Siena, and Central Tuscany, 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.

Although this restaurant is on a tiny side street and can be easy to miss, do try to find it, as it serves fantastic food, with dishes listed on the seasonal menu under "L'Innovazione" (Innovations, usually, on classics) or "La Tradizione" (Tradition). Adventurous eaters should try such flights of fancy bavarese di fegato, which comes adorned with pomegranate seeds and redefines chicken liver pâté. The Del Duca family plays an active role in what food is brought to their tables.

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.

This spot just outside the walled town of Monteriggioni is the perfect stop on the way to Siena from Florence or vice versa. The bar serves excellent coffees and sweets, and the highly informal dining room serves up terrific local specialties. Sublime panini, which can be topped with sott'olii (vegetables preserved under olive oil), can be taken to go, or you can sit outside with a nice glass of wine while you eat.

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.

Residents of Colle di Val d'Elsa hold this trattoria in high esteem, even though it's a little overpriced. Tuscan classics fill the large menu, which concentrates on game, particularly pheasant, pigeon, and quail, and pastas differ from the usual fare. The decor is simple; in warmer months outdoor seating on a square is a possibility. The service is first-rate.

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).

Though it's still very much in the center, it's far from the madding crowds. Wonderful wines pair beautifully with the tasty morsels served atop toasted bread. If you want something more substantial than the delicious cheese plate, soups of the day may be found on the menu. This place is an oasis in a town overrun with day visitors.

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.

This one-room prosciutteria, which opens late in the morning and closes late at night, serves salads and sandwiches featuring pork products in their various incarnations. The wine list is particularly strong with bottles from the area, and its prices are reasonable. Locals flock here for good reason: portions are not small, and the hosts are gregarious. For those who don't eat meat, but do eat fish, the anchovy/sliced potato salad soaked in top-notch olive oil and dotted with capers, is a winner.