Ristorante Giglio, Lucca

Ristorante Giglio is a well-regarded Lucca restaurant set in a historic palazzo on Piazza del Giglio, near the cathedral and the Teatro del Giglio in the heart of the walled city. It occupies handsome rooms within the period building and spills onto the square in warm weather, offering a refined yet relaxed setting for Lucchese and Tuscan cooking. The kitchen takes a more contemporary, ingredient-led approach than the city's oldest trattorias, with a seasonal menu built around products from the Lucca plain and the Garfagnana mountains, balancing respect for local tradition with a lighter, modern sensibility. Dishes draw on the Lucchese repertoire, including farro soup made with the local spelt, tordelli lucchesi, the stuffed pasta with meat ragu, and pappardelle with duck ragu, alongside seasonal meat, vegetable and, at times, fish preparations. The wine list is a strength, with a thoughtful selection of local and wider Tuscan bottlings to match the cooking. The atmosphere is elegant but unstuffy, suited to a special lunch or dinner, and the terrace tables on Piazza del Giglio are prized in fine weather. The restaurant generally opens for lunch and dinner across most of the week, with a closing day, so confirming hours and reserving, especially at weekends, is sensible. Prices sit in the moderate range, offering good value for the quality and the central setting. Ristorante Giglio is a strong choice for travellers wanting to eat well in Lucca in a more contemporary register than the traditional historic restaurants, sampling local specialities prepared with a modern touch in an attractive square near the cathedral. It suits those looking for a balance of tradition and refinement in one of the most appealing settings in the walled city.