JWard

Planning trip to Florence and Tuscany in early September and will be in Chianti region on two different days and am looking for good spots for lunch. I have seen several with mixed reviews. Any help is appreciated.

Athena39

We had a fantstic meal at the Osteria di Brolio, at the Castello di Brolio.
http://www.seamus.it/osteria.html

hanl

When staying at the Fattoria di Rendola near Montevarchi, we ate a few memorable meals at the Osteria di Rendola, which is apparently one of the renowned restaurants of the area. There's a review here: http://www.truetuscany.com/food/rest/direndola.shtml

Parker

My husband and I were staying in Tuscany in June with another couple. One of our day trips was visiting Chianti towns. So we packed a lunch picnic basket and headed out. Our first stop was Radda in Chianti. As we began walking down the main road through town, we were overcome with wonderful smells! As we proceeded down the street, the smells would change to different ingredients - garlic, to roasting meats, to basil, etc. Right then and there, we bagged the picnic and set out to find a restaurant. We ended up at a small restaurant one level below the main street but still one level up from the lower road that had a view of the hills outside the wall. It's near the Palazzo Leopoldo hotel but I can't remember the name to save my life! We had the best meal of our two week trip there! My girl friend and I had ravioli with leek and orange sauce, then green apple sorbet for desert. I can't remember what the men had, but they raved about it for days! I got a card but can't find it. Maybe someone else will know the name of the restaurant. If I find the card, I'll post the name. Bottom Line - lots of wonderful options in Radda! Ciao

Peggyann

Near Poggibonsi, we found the lunch to die for in a small town called Certaldo (upper) The restaurant is " Osteria del Vicario. Fantastic setting overlooking the luscious contryside, wonderful food and incredible service.Our group of 5 couples still talks about that lunch. This was in May.

JillD

We spent a week based in Chianti last summer. A few we loved were Badia Coltobuono for lunch - make a reservation though, and be sure to order the tasting menu - our was fabulous. We also enjoed Castello di Spaltenna in Gaiole, it is a converted monastery, dine in the cloister courtyard, even better in the evening for dinner. If you want something a bit more casual in Gaiole is a place called Lo Sfizio - it is wonderful, the BEST pesto ever, plus the owner is so sweet.