Siena travel guide: where to stay, what to do and where to eat in Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
Sienese cuisine is built on Tuscan staples with a medieval spice tradition: pici pasta, bean and bread soups, cinta senese pork, wild boar, and the sweets panforte, ricciarelli, cavallucci and panpepato, whose spiced, nut-laden recipes date from Siena's role in the medieval spice trade. Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino come from the surrounding hills, with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano an hour to the southeast.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Gelato
Pizza Al Taglio
Pizza And Sienese Pasta
Sienese
Food tours & tastings in Siena
Eat your way through Siena with a guide.
Browse food experiences in SienaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Pizza al taglio
Rectangular pizza sold by weight, usually eaten from paper.
Price: €2-4 (~$2.3-4.6)
Panini with Tuscan salumi
Rolls filled with cinta senese salumi, pecorino and finocchiona.
Price: €5-9 (~$5.75-10.35)
Panforte and ricciarelli
Siena's spiced cake and almond biscuits, sold by weight to eat on the walk.
Price: €2-8 (~$2.3-9.2)
Gelato
Cones and cups from local and chain gelaterie.
Price: €3-6 (~$3.45-6.9)
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Wednesday market at La Lizza and the Fortezza
One of Tuscany's larger weekly markets, spread around the Fortezza Medicea and La Lizza park, with clothing, household goods and some food stalls.
Hours: Wednesday mornings, roughly 8AM-1:30PM; sources differ on start time, so arrive after 8:30AM
Friday farmers market at La Lizza
A smaller market of local producers selling seasonal produce, cheese and cured meats.
Hours: Friday mornings; confirm the schedule locally
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Eat one block away from Piazza del Campo for better value
Book ahead for dinner in the Palio weeks around 2 July and 16 August
Many osterie close on Sunday or Wednesday; check the day's hours
Coperto of €2-3.5 (~$2.3-4.02) per person is normal
Pici is the dish to order; every kitchen's sauce differs
Carry some cash as a backup, since some small osterie prefer it
Sit-down service ends mid-afternoon, so plan lunch before 2:30PM
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Breakfast €2-3.5 (~$2.3-4.02) (cornetto and coffee at a bar counter), Lunch €6-12 (~$6.9-13.8) (pizza al taglio or panino), Dinner €15-25 (~$17.25-28.75) (pizza or simple pasta at a casual spot), Street food €2-6 (~$2.3-6.9) (pizza al taglio, gelato, panforte slice), Coffee €1.2-1.5 (~$1.38-1.72) (espresso at the bar) | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |