Where to Eat and Drink

In what used to be the cellars storing the munitions in the Fortezza Medicea is today the Enoteca Italiana (tel. 0577 28 84 97; open midday-1am except Mon, to 8pm Sun). It has more than 1500 labels, of which some are 1944 vintage.

Café Ortensia (Via di Pantaneto 95) is popular amongst students. Small yet lively.

Antica Trattoria Botteganova focuses on contemporary cuisine and Tuscan dishes among which the house specialty is tortelli di pecorino con fonduta di parmigiano e tartufo (pecorino ravioli with parmesan and truffles). The restaurant is composed of two little dining-rooms tasterfully decorated.  (tel.  0577 284230; www.anticatrattoriabotteganova.it; Strada Chiantigiana 29, per Montevarchi; closed Sun).  


If you are looking for dishes with a creative touch, good wine and a modern setting for dinner, Il Canto is the place to be. There you can try the homemade gnocchi di patate- a favourite.(tel.  0577 288182; www.certosadimaggiano.com; Strada di Certosa 82; open  Mar-Nov, closed Tue).

Trattoria Fori Porta specializes in regional recipes passed down through the generations. It is located just outside of  the walls of Siena (tel. 0577 222100;  www.foriporta.com; Via Claudio Tolomei 1).

Tre Cristi has mastered delicious seafood dishes. The beautiful décor is an additional bonus (tel. 0577 28 06 08; www.trecristi.com;  Vicolo di Provenzano 1/7; closed 10 days in Jan, closed Sun; tax and service charge: 10%).
  
Nello "La Taverna" includes regional and vegetarian dishes on its menu. Perfect after a passeggiata around Piazza del Campo it affords a laid back and rustic atmpsphere  (tel.  0577 289043;  spaghettialdente@email.com;  Via del Porrione 28;  closed Jan and Sun).  

Grand Hotel Continental's restaurant is a distinguished site for regional fare, good wine and originality (tel. 0577 56011; www.royaldemeure.com;   Via Banchi di Sopra 85). 
 
Osteria le Logge also focuses on regional cuisine. Its location in the centre of town makes it very convenient for a break from sightseeing (tel. 0577 48013;  www.osterialelogge.it;   Via del Porrione 33; closed  7 Jan-2nd Feb, closed Sun). .

La Taverna di San Giuseppe  is also a great choice for the centre of Siena (tel.  0577 42286; www.tavernasangiuseppe.it;   Via Giovanni Duprè 132; closed 15th-30th Jan and 15th-30th  Jul, closed Sun, tax and service charge: 10%). 
  
Highly considered Villa Scacciapensieri serves traditional dishes and  local wine outdoors in the summertime. It serves dinner only with the exception of  high summer season (tel. 0577 41441;  www.villascacciapensieri.it; Strada di Scacciapensieri 10; open   Mar-Nov,  closed Wed).  

If you want to dine at Enzo reservations are certainly needed.  Its regional cuisine and wine list are delicious ( tel.  0577 281277;  Via Camollia 49).

You can trust Garden to deliver. From December to March it is open only for dinner, In the summer you can enjoy the sweeping terrace (tel. 0577 567111; www.gardenhotel.it; Via Custoza 2).

Trattoria Papei  has affordable prices and a friendly atmosphere. It is particularly suitable for families. It is off the Piazza del Palio  (tel.  0577 280894;  Piazza del Mercato 6;  closed 20th-31st Jul and Mon evening).

Al Mangia features delightful décor and great service. It follows traditional regional recipes (tel. 0577 281121;  www.almangia.it ;  Piazza del Campo 42;  closed Thursdays with the exception of Mar-Oct).