Osteria Le Logge

Osteria Le Logge is one of Siena's most admired restaurants, set just off Piazza del Campo on Via del Porrione in a former nineteenth-century pharmacy whose original wooden shelving, marble counters and terracotta floors have been preserved as the dining room. The result is a handsome, atmospheric space, warm and intimate downstairs and extending into vaulted cellar rooms that also serve as part of the restaurant's wine operation. The kitchen cooks refined Sienese and Tuscan food that respects tradition while plating it with care: hand-rolled pici, the thick Sienese pasta, here served cacio e pepe; wild boar braised with juniper and other game from the surrounding hills; seasonal vegetable dishes; and desserts such as panna cotta scented with Sienese spices. The restaurant is closely associated with its own wine estate in the Val d'Orcia, and the cellar is a particular strength, deep in Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico and other Tuscan reds, with knowledgeable sommelier guidance. Prices sit in the upper-moderate to expensive range for Siena, justified by the quality of ingredients, the cooking and the setting. The atmosphere is elegant but not stiff, suited to a relaxed special-occasion lunch or dinner, and tables outside under the loggia are prized in warm weather. Lunch and dinner are served Monday to Saturday, and because the dining room is not large and the restaurant is well known, reservations are recommended, especially in the high season and during the Palio. Osteria Le Logge offers one of the most complete dining experiences in central Siena, combining a memorable historic interior, serious wine and confident regional cooking just steps from the city's great central square. It is a reliable choice for travellers wanting to eat well in Siena without venturing far from the Campo.