Where to Eat in Lucca, Italy: 8 Restaurants and Food Spots You’ll Love

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Trying to figure out where to eat in Lucca, Italy? I get it.

There are a lot of restaurants in Lucca, and when you’re wandering around the beautiful historic center, pretty much every other street seems to have another trattoria, osteria, café, gelateria, or little shop selling something that smells absolutely amazing.

And while I fully support wandering around and choosing a restaurant based on whichever one looks good at the moment, a little advance planning can make your Lucca food experience even better.

Lucca is a fantastic place to eat if you love traditional Tuscan food, handmade pasta, pizza, panini, gelato, pastries, and plenty of wine.

I’ve eaten my way around Lucca and found some places that I would happily return to—including one restaurant where I had a plate of chickpea and curry ravioli that I still think about.

So if you’re planning a trip to Tuscany and wondering where to eat in Lucca, here are eight restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and food spots I’d put on your list.

Planning a trip? Here’s how to get to Lucca.

What Food Is Lucca Known For?

Before we get to my favorite places to eat, let’s talk about what you should actually look for on a Lucca menu.

Lucca has its own culinary traditions within Tuscan cuisine, and you’ll find plenty of hearty, comforting dishes that make use of simple local ingredients.

Some Lucca foods and dishes to look for include:

• Tordelli lucchesi – meat-filled pasta traditionally served with a rich meat sauce
• Zuppa di farro – a hearty soup made with spelt and beans
• Buccellato – a slightly sweet bread flavored with anise and often studded with raisins
• Garmugia – a traditional Lucchese soup made with spring vegetables and meat
• Rovelline lucchesi – thin slices of breaded beef served with tomato sauce
• Tuscan soups and bean dishes
• Fresh handmade pasta
• Local Tuscan wines

And, of course, there’s gelato.

Lots and lots of gelato.

If you’re looking for traditional Lucchese food in Lucca, this is the kind of place I love.

Trattoria da Leo is tucked away on Via Tegrimi, just north of Piazza San Salvatore, so it’s a little off the main tourist path.

It’s not fancy. And that’s exactly the point. This is the sort of traditional trattoria where you go for hearty, home-style food rather than a trendy dining experience.

You’ll find classic Lucchese dishes such as zuppa di farro, along with meat dishes and traditional pastas.

It’s also a good option if you want to try some of the local specialties you might not find on a more tourist-oriented menu.

The atmosphere is cozy and casual, and prices have traditionally been reasonable for the historic center.

What I’d order: Zuppa di farro or another traditional Lucchese specialty.

Good for: Traditional Tuscan food, casual meals, budget-conscious travelers

A note about reservations: I’d check ahead or make a reservation, especially during busy travel periods. Popular traditional trattorias can fill up quickly.

If you’re planning to drive, check out my guide to parking in Lucca before you go.

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6. Buca di Sant’Antonio

If you’re looking for a more traditional Tuscan dining experience in Lucca, Buca di Sant’Antonio is worth considering.

This historic restaurant dates back to the 18th century and is one of Lucca’s best-known old-school dining establishments.

The atmosphere is part of the experience, with a cozy, traditional interior and the kind of old-world charm you hope to find when you’re eating in Tuscany.

The menu focuses on classic Tuscan and Lucchese cooking, including homemade pasta, soups, and meat dishes.

If you’re feeling adventurous, look for traditional specialties such as rabbit.

This is definitely more of a sit-down dining experience than Pan di Strada or Pizza SUD, and prices are higher than you’ll find at a casual trattoria.

But if you want a memorable traditional Tuscan meal, this is one to put on your list.

What I’d order: Homemade pasta or one of the traditional Tuscan meat dishes.

Good for: A special dinner, traditional Tuscan food, historic atmosphere

Important: I’d make a reservation. This is a popular restaurant, and you don’t want to show up hungry only to discover they don’t have a table.

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7. Buccellato Taddeucci

You can’t visit Lucca without trying buccellato.

And if you’re wondering where to find this traditional Lucchese sweet bread, head to Buccellato Taddeucci.

Located in Piazza San Michele, this historic bakery has been making its famous buccellato for generations.

Buccellato is a slightly sweet, chewy bread flavored with anise and often containing raisins.

It’s not an overly sweet dessert, which makes it perfect with a morning espresso or an afternoon coffee.

And even if you’re not a huge fan of anise, I’d still recommend trying it. You’re in Lucca, after all!

Besides buccellato, you can find other baked goods and sweets here, making this an easy stop while you’re exploring the historic center.

What I’d order: Buccellato, obviously!

Good for: Breakfast, coffee, pastries, edible souvenirs

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8. Caffè Santa Zita

For a slightly more elegant experience, check out Caffè Santa Zita.

Located near the Basilica of San Frediano, this charming café has an old-world atmosphere that feels like it belongs in a vintage Italian postcard.

You’ll find espresso, pastries, cakes, and tea—and yes, tea is worth mentioning because Italy is definitely an espresso-first kind of country.

If you’re craving a leisurely afternoon coffee and something sweet, this is a lovely place to linger. Just remember that Italians don’t do capuccino after 11 AM!

It’s more expensive than grabbing a quick espresso at a neighborhood café, but you’re also paying for the atmosphere and experience.

And sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

What I’d order: Coffee and a pastry.

Good for: Afternoon coffee, pastries, a more elegant café experience

Where to Eat in Lucca for Different Budgets

One thing I really like about eating in Lucca is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to eat well.

Here are my picks depending on what you’re looking for.

Best Cheap Eats in Lucca

For a quick and affordable meal, I’d go with:

• Pan di Strada for a panino
• Pizza SUD for pizza
• In Pasta – Cibo e Convivio for fresh pasta
• Gelateria Gelatiamo for dessert

Best Traditional Restaurants in Lucca

If you’re specifically looking for traditional Tuscan or Lucchese cooking:

• Trattoria da Leo
• Buca di Sant’Antonio

Best Food Experience for Solo Travelers

If you’re traveling solo, don’t feel like you need to book an expensive multi-course dinner every night.

I particularly like:

• Lunch at In Pasta
• A panino from Pan di Strada
• Pizza at Pizza SUD
• Gelato at Gelateria Gelatiamo
• A leisurely coffee at Caffè Santa Zita

Lucca is an easy city to eat your way through on your own.

What to Eat in Lucca

If you’re not sure what to order when you sit down at a restaurant in Lucca, look for some of these local specialties.

Tordelli Lucchesi

This is one of the dishes I’d make a point of trying while you’re in Lucca.

Tordelli lucchesi are stuffed pasta traditionally filled with meat and served with a rich meat sauce.

Zuppa di Farro

A hearty spelt and bean soup that’s particularly comforting on a cooler day.

Buccellato

This traditional sweet bread is flavored with anise and often contains raisins.

It’s perfect with coffee—or as a little edible souvenir to take home.

Local Tuscan Wine

When in Tuscany…

You know the rest.

Ask your server what local wine they recommend. You don’t need to know everything about Italian wine before you order it.

Just ask!

Do You Need Reservations at Restaurants in Lucca?

For some restaurants, yes.

Especially if there’s a particular place you really want to try.

I was able to get lunch at In Pasta without a reservation, but other restaurants on this list can get busy, particularly for dinner and during the high season.

My advice?

If you don’t care where you eat, you can be spontaneous.

If you have your heart set on a particular restaurant, make a reservation.

This is especially true for historic and popular restaurants like Buca di Sant’Antonio.

And don’t forget that Italian meal times can be different from what you’re used to at home. Many restaurants have specific lunch and dinner service hours rather than being open continuously throughout the afternoon.

Eating in Lucca as a Solo Traveler

One of the reasons I love Lucca as a solo travel destination is that eating alone here doesn’t feel particularly awkward.

There are plenty of cafés, casual restaurants, wine bars, bakeries, and places where you can grab something to eat without needing a whole dining party.

For lunch, I especially love the idea of grabbing a panino and taking it to the walls.

It’s inexpensive, casual, and you get to enjoy one of Lucca’s best attractions at the same time.

For dinner, don’t be afraid to sit down at a restaurant by yourself.

Bring a book.

People-watch.

Order the wine.

And enjoy your meal.

You’re in Italy!

Planning your trip to Lucca? Find hotels inside the historic city walls.

Where to Stay in Lucca

If food is one of the reasons you’re visiting Lucca, I’d recommend staying inside the historic city walls if your budget allows.

That way, you’re within easy walking distance of most of the restaurants and food spots on this list.

It also means you don’t have to worry about transportation after dinner—which is particularly nice when you’re traveling solo.

If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out my guide to where to stay in Lucca for more ideas.

Final Thoughts: Where to Eat in Lucca

There are so many great places to eat in Lucca that I don’t think you can really go wrong.

But if I had to narrow this list down to the places I’d make the most effort to visit, I’d start with In Pasta for the pasta, Pan di Strada for a casual lunch, Pizza SUD for pizza, Gelateria Gelatiamo for gelato, and Trattoria da Leo or Buca di Sant’Antonio for traditional Tuscan food.

And don’t leave Lucca without trying buccellato.

Or gelato.

Or pasta.

Actually, just eat everything.

You’re in Tuscany.

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