Essential guide to the best restaurants and local flavors to savor in Lucca for cruise passengers to the port of Livorno with reviews, photos, and basic info: opening hours, addresses, and contacts.
If the cruise ship visitor travels to Lucca from Livorno on a tour there will not be much time to explore the local cuisine. Unless you are on a tailored tour, most excursions offered by cruise lines do not allow more than 1-hour free time in Lucca. Most tours include other destinations in Tuscany (like Pisa or Torre del Lago) and usually include lunch at a selected restaurant. However, even on the free time, the cruise ship passenger will have enough time to have a relaxed coffee at Turandot or taste the famous 'Buccellato'.
When traveling to Lucca on your own, the cruise ship passenger will have more than enough time to explore the highlights of Lucca and also to enjoy a memorable lunch in town. Be it a quick bite, a light fare, a traditional no frills Tuscan meal or a sophisticated splurge, Lucca has all to offer. There are many options close to the main points of interest and all at walking distance. On this page, you will find a selection of the Editor’s Favorite restaurants in Lucca.
Lucca’s cuisine is known above all for its extra-virgin olive oil, which is unlike any you have tasted before. Drizzled on almost every dish served in the city, the fresh olive taste brings Luccan food to the next level. The locally produced ingredients that get the most attention are Lucca’s asparagus, strawberries and honey. And of course, Lucca wouldn’t be an Italian city if it didn’t have some excellent local wines to go with its mouthwatering cuisine – in this case, 'Rosso delle Colline Lucchesi' and 'Montecarlo'.
Quick Bites
For quick eats, Lucca does not let the cruise ship passenger down. The Pizzeria de Felice on Via Buia serves wood-oven pizza by the slice, as well as local specialties that include cecina and castgnaccio. The bakery Amadeo Giusti on Via S.Lucia 18/20 has lines out the door of people waiting to sink their teeth into the shop’s heavenly focaccia bread.
1. La Buca di Sant’Antonio - $$$ | $$$$
La Buca di Sant’Antonio is a charming restaurant with impeccable service, delicious food and the best wine list in town. Some house specialties include breast of guinea hen with sweet Muscat grapes, 'frantoiana' soup, baby goat on the spit with herbs; the caramelized fruit with chestnut gelato is a must.
Traditional Ambiance
Photo by Management
| WHERE | City Center - off Via S. Paolino a few meters east of Piazza San Michele |
|---|---|
| Address: | Via della Cervia, 3 |
| Open: | Tue to Sun 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm Tue to Sat 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm |
| Closed: | Monday |
| Website: | Visit Owners Site |
| Phone: | (39) 0583 55881 |
2. Osteria da Rosolo - ($ | $$)
The lunch menu (menu del giorno – per pranzo) is a fixed price complete meal featuring local specialties and priced at around €15.00. In the summer a special light menu to enjoy on the terrace is offered and is ideal for cruise ship passengers to enjoy a quick al fresco lunch.
Al Fresco Delights
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | City Center - in a quiet courtyard between Piazza Napoleone and Piazza San Michele. |
|---|---|
| Address: | Corte Campana, 3 |
| Open: | Summer - noon to 10:00 pm |
| Closed: | Wednesday |
| Website: | Visit Facebook Page |
| Phone: | (39) 0583 31203 |
3. Ristorante Giglio - $$$$
Expensive but one of the must restaurants in Lucca for a high quality splurge. It has great service (pampering), excellent food quality and fabulous menu choices. Most agree that it is an excellent value for money.
Splurge Delicacies
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | City Center - heart of town, in the Theatre square next to Piazza Napoleone |
|---|---|
| Address: | Piazza del Giglio, 2 |
| Open: | Sun to Sat for lunch: noon - 2:30 pm Dinner: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm |
| Closed: | NA |
| Website: | Visit Owners Site |
| Phone: | (39) 0583 494058 |
4. Cantine Bernardini - $$$
In the quaint ambiance of the basement of the Palace Bernardini (1580), this is not the regular Italian restaurant as tradition is reinterpreted with a gourmet touch. Menu includes delicacies like 'garmugia lucchese' (a vegetable soup), tench risotto, roasted cod fish, and original recipes as "cecina milfoil" or veggy goulash. Also available: gluten free, vegetarian and vegan proposals.
Cosy Gourmet
Photo by Management
| WHERE | City Center - west of Piazza San Michele, on a small street off Via Santa Croce. |
|---|---|
| Address: | Via del Suffragio, 7 |
| Open: | Sun to Sat for lunch: noon - 2:30 pm Dinner: 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm |
| Closed: | NA |
| Website: | Visit Owners Site |
| Phone: | (39) 0583 494336 |
5. Enoteca Calasto - $$
Ideal for a quick bite with great wine. Don't expect large pasta meals but the cruise ship passenger will be served a light tasty lunch. Typical dishes include lasagna and ricotta ravioli in sage butter, always served with ample bread to dip on a nice mix olive oil and balsamic whilst sipping a great wines.
Wines galore al fresco
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE | City Center - next to St. Giovani's church on the square connecting with the Cathedral Square. |
|---|---|
| Address: | Piazza S. Giovanni, 5 |
| Open: | Wed to Mon from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm |
| Closed: | Tuesday |
| Website: | Facebook Page |
| Prices: | (39) 0583 954267 |
6. Trattoria da Leo - $$
This busy Trattoria is the place where locals, tourists and students alike come for lunch. The inexpensive fare is easy on the wallet and stomach. The best dishes include the 'vitello tonnato' and 'torta di fichi e noci'.
| WHERE | City Centre - a few meters north of Piazza San Michele, just off Via degli Asili |
|---|---|
| Address: | Via Tegrimi, 1 |
| Open: | Sunday to Saturday from noon to 2:30 pm | Dinner from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm |
| Closed: | NA |
| Website: | Visit Owners Site |
| Phone: | (39) 0583 492236 |
