The 10 Most Popular Dishes to Try In Tuscany

By Bridget Castner


Tuscany is a region in Italy known for its magnificent artwork, beautiful landscapes, and food! Whether you love meat, prefer a vegetarian dish, or want to indulge in a delectable dessert, there is something for everyone in Tuscany.


1. Panzanella

A Tuscan farmer knows you never throw stale bread away! In the summertime, the people of Tuscany use their stale bread to make the dish known as Panzanella, or "bread-salad". It is made with cubes of stale bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions served with a dressing of olive oil and vinegar.


2. Pappardelle al cinghiale

Wild boar is the king of country cuisine in Tuscany, and pappardelle is one of the most famous of its pasta varieties. To achieve the incredible taste that this dish offers, the wild boar is first simmered long and slow in a sauce made of tomatoes and red wine. The final dish is served with fresh parsley and Parmigiano cheese. Pair this with a glass of Tuscan red wine and mangia (which means “eat up” in Italian)!


3. Lampredotto

This delicacy is one of the most popular street foods in Tuscany. The tripe-like meat is simmered in vegetable broth with tomatoes, parsley, celery, and onion. It's usually served on a fresh crunchy roll and is the perfect grab and go food when you're on the move. If you love meat, don't leave Tuscany without having (at least) one!


4. Fagiolini alla fiorentina

One of the most popular vegetarian dishes in Tuscany, Fagiolini alla fiorentina, is made with olive oil, fennel seeds, green beans, onions, garlic, and is simmered with crushed tomatoes. While this can be had as a main meal, it can also be ordered as a side dish with a traditional meat entree.


5. Bistecca alla fiorentina

This hearty, thick steak dish is made from an ancient breed of Tuscan cattle called the Chianina, which are known for their flavorful meat. The steak is seared on high heat until the outside is charred, leaving the inside of the steak very rare. Before being served, the meat is sprinkled with salt, pepper, and some olive oil. It can be paired with anything from a side pasta dish to grilled vegetables.


6. Crostini di cavolo nero

Cavolo Nero is a variety of kale with long, dark leaves. You can think of this particular dish as "kale toast". The cavolo nero is cooked in olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. Once the leaves are tender, they are served on top of toasted garlic bread. It's typically served as an appetizer, but also makes a healthy and delicious snack to refuel before you continue exploring during your Tuscany vacation.


7. Cacciucco alla livornese

A traditional Tuscan dish, this seafood stew originated in Livorno around the early 1800s. Packed with tons of seafood, this stew is simply one delicious meal you must try whenever you visit Tuscany. It's usually made with calamari, prawns, mussels, and clams with a red wine base which gives the stew its deep, rich flavor. Seasonings of chile flakes, fennel seeds, garlic, onion, and sage make this must-try dish in Tuscany a food for the soul.


8. Farinata di cavolo nero

This soup is vegetarian-friendly, and incredibly healthy! Corn flour is used to give the soup a thicker texture, and the kale is cooked in tomato puree with cannellini beans, carrots, onion, celery and garlic with hearty seasonings of rosemary, sage, and olive oil. While this dish can be eaten all year round, it's especially comforting in the winter.


9. Castagnaccio

A dessert cake made with chestnut flour, this must-try Tuscany dessert is delicious! There are no eggs or butter, making the cake completely vegan. The dish itself even dates back to the 1500s. The flavor of the chestnut flour is enhanced with raisins or other dried fruit, pine nuts, walnuts, and rosemary. It goes delicious with a cappuccino or cup of tea!


10. Potato tortelli

Holy cannoli! Pasta filled with mashed potatoes? Sign us up! Tortelli is a traditional pasta similar to ravioli that can be square, semi-circles, or fully rounded. The pasta is filled with mashed potatoes, parsley, garlic, cheese, and sometimes spinach. You can have this meal with traditional pasta sauce, olive oil, or any sauce of your choice.

Interested in more? Check out the most iconic foods to eat in Italy or start planning your trip to Tuscany by viewing our Italy vacation packages.

VIEW TUSCANY VACATION PACKAGES

Create Account

The contact email is associated with an existing account, please sign in to continue.
If you have a password, you can use it below. Otherwise, just use your email address and reservation number to login. If you don't have an account, you can create one today.