Guide to Pistoia Restaurants: Eat Here in Tuscany
Our content is reader supported, meaning that at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase from some of our links. For more information, read our disclosure here.
WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO EAT IN PISTOIA ITALY?
Tuscany is known for its food culture and Pistoia is a wonderful Tuscan city to get a taste of all the mouth-watering flavors, pop into the cafes, bakeries, pizzerias and restaurants that sprawl into the streets. Of course, don’t forget to save room for dessert – we have you covered with the best gelato in Pistoia too!
Planning a Trip to Pistoia, Italy?
Safety Wing has been our go-to for trip insurance over the last few years. They are affordable and it’s easy to receive a quick quote.
Booking.com is the platform we use most often for booking accommodations!
Restaurants in Pistoia
The thing you should note about restaurants in Pistoia is that most of them don’t open for dinner until 7:30 pm (19:30).
Well, 7:30 with young kids is hard sometimes. Quite frankly, I like my kiddos settling down and getting into bed around that time—especially the baby. But, that is not Italian culture!
So, plan accordingly if you want to eat dinner before 7:30 pm (19:30) in Pistoia. The options are limited!
Also, note that almost everything closes for Siesta in Italy, so it’s hard to find shops or restaurants open between 2 pm – 6 pm.
Pizza in Pistoia
It’s kind of a sin to go to Italy and not try the pizza. Just remember, many of the pizza restaurants don’t serve full pizzas until dinnertime.
🍕 Luna Rossa Verace Pizza e Griglia
This Pistoian pizza restaurant was recommended to me by my local neighbor. The pizzas are artisanal and absolutely delicious. Even better is that you can order pizza at 6:00 pm! They also will do carry-out.
🍕 Bottega del Lievitto
Again, my Italian neighbor recommended this pizza place in Pistoia if you want to grab something quick. It’s open until early afternoon and again in early evening, around 17:00 (5:00pm). It is pizza by the slice.
🍕 Osteria Fratelli
This is a worldschool community favorite and many families make this spot a weekly gathering for pizza. They have delicious pizza options and the setting is nice in the Piazza with some space for the kids to run around.
Typical Tuscan Restaurants
There are really a lot of great Italian restaurants in Pistoia. Especially for dinner, you’ll find dozens and dozens of options!
The one thing that I feel Pistoia is missing (mostly for people staying longer) is some healthy smoothie bowl restaurants or some unique vegan restaurants. (We aren’t vegan, however, typically we find vegan restaurants tend to use high-quality ingredients and craft interesting dishes.)
Onto some favorite restaurants in Pistoia…
😋 Locanda del Capitano
Locanda del Capitano is a typical Tuscan restaurant in Pistoia. The atmosphere, the food, the owner—I love everything about this place! Plus, they serve a wonderful lunch menu as well.
😋 Taverna Gargantua
Taverna Gargantua is another popular restaurant in Pistoia with homemade pasta dishes. They have a little storefront just outside their restaurant where you can also purchase fresh homemade pasta to take home and cook.
I really like the outdoor setting at Gargantua, as it feels like Italy. However, the indoor setting isn’t my favorite, as it feels more like a dance club.
😋 Toscana Fair
Toscana Fair is located outside of the historic center of Pistoia. It’s best to have a car but the place is also reachable by walking a solid 20 minutes.
Their food is delicious and they use all local ingredients! The atmosphere is beautiful inside and outside. On Sundays, they typically have brunch in the greenhouse.
💡NOTE: Make sure to check Toscana Fair website for events and to make a reservation if you plan to go during the high season.
😋 Agriturismo A Casa Nostra
The worldschool in Tuscany that we were a part of held their farewell dinner here. It was an absolutely beautiful setting overlooking the Tuscan countryside. The ravioli were some of the best I had in Italy!
Cafes / Pastries
Most cafes and pastry shops in Pistoia are open until siesta. They usually don’t have a huge selection, but are perfect for a quick bite, a treat or enjoying a beverage while people watching!
🥐 Pasticceria Armando Pistoia
Pasticceria Armando Pistoia is a favorite for croissants, treats, cakes, coffee, little sandwiches, and more.
🥐 Bruno Corsini dal 1918 La Dolce
This could almost be listed as one of the ‘Things To Do in Pistoia‘, as it’s kind of a must-go checkout place. After all, this confectionary candy shop has been around since 1918 in Pistoia. If they aren’t busy the owner will tell you a bit about the history and let you try some chocolate candies that they are renowned for.
Careful, you can easily spend a lot of money here, but it’s worth it for a special treat!
🥐 Valiani dal 1831
Valiani dal 1831 is the spot in town to grab a good cappuccino and pastry. Grab a seat outside to enjoy some people-watching in Pistoia!
🥐 Caffe La Corte
Caffe La Corte has really delicious homemade food and treats. It is one of the few cafes where you can order a proper meal too! The setting is quite cute with a little courtyard. The only fault of the place is when they smoke in the courtyard while people are eating – no one likes to inhale smoke while enjoying a meal!
🍲 Premade Meals
We typically rotated between these two places for some premade dishes and meals: Rosticceria Gelli Grancesco & Nu’Juorn Buon. The parmigiana at Nu’Juorn Buon is the best I’ve ever had!
🍝 Fresh Pasta
Taverna Gargantua has a little homemade pasta storefront outside of the restaurant. You can taste all sorts of handmade pasta, ravioli, and more!
💡NOTE: It’s easy to miss. But it’s just off to the left-hand side if you are facing the Taverna Gargantua restaurant.
Best Gelato in Pistoia
To be honest, it took me over a month to finally find a delicious gelato in Tuscany. Believe me, I was trying it all. It was all good, but not like I had remembered during previous stays in Tuscany.
Here are some great gelaterias in Pistoia Italy:
🍨 Gelateria il Taba Dolce di latte
There is a location directly across the street from the Carousel at Resistenza Park. They have gelato kept the proper way, so you don’t get the grand display of flavors, but the texture and taste are amazing. They also will fill your cone with chocolate and the cone itself is actually good!
🍨 Gelateria Pantera Rosa
A local Chef recommended this gelato place to me recently. I need to go, but it is making this list because well, a local chef recommended it!
🍨 Gelateria Artigianale Cipriani Pistoia
This is a little corner gelato place that is easy to miss. I walked past it many times before we finally went in. Really delicious flavors, a nice owner, and they have vegan desserts (including vegan milkshakes) and popsicle options as well. This was one of our favorite gelato spots in Pistoia!
🍨 Gelateria Nonna Lucia
A little further outside of town, this gelato place got rave reviews from many of the families we know. But we made the mistake of trying to go on a Monday—they were closed! Instead, we pivoted and went to Gelateria Monterosa.
🍨 Gelateria Monterosa
A further walk from town, but when Nonna Lucia was closed, we quickly found another gelateria and this one hit the spot. There was also a line of locals out the door, which is always a good sign. They had all sorts of gelato treats. I tried a ricotta gelato and it was to die for!
🍨 Una Mole
This is a popular place in the center of Pistoia The shop is super cute and the staff nice that is conveniently located at the Piazza del Duomo.
Best Hot Chocolate in Pistoia
☕ Cioccoleria
A bit out of the town center and not the best walk, but if you can make it here, the gelato is good but the hot chocolate is addicting!!! It is the thick, real chocolate kind of hot chocolate. The owner is super friendly and always welcoming. A real treat!
The entrance is a little unassuming, so this is what you are looking for:
☕ Globe Cafe
Located in the center of the old town of Pistoia, I heard that they have delicious hot chocolate. However, I can’t confirm it, as they were in the midst of renovations while we were there.
Foods to Try in Pistoia
While you are visiting Pistoia, Italy, you will find a lot of delicious Italian foods to try. Of course, homemade pasta, tiramisu, pizza, and gelato are all known favorites. However, here are some other foods you should try in Pistoia:
Vin Santo is a rich, intense, fruity dessert wine that is usually served with chocolate chunk biscotti. You dip the biscotti into the Vin Santo between sips. The crumbs fall to the bottom and give you a sweet sip at the end.
If you are looking for something a little different than wine, try a local Spritz. A spritz is a cocktail made with bubbly (usually prosecco) and an aperitif (usually Aperol). You’ll see them on the menu boards all over town!
Each village in Tuscany has its own specialties. Sometimes a drink or a cheese or a ravioli filling or a dish. Make sure to find out which each town has to offer and try it all!
Cooking Class in Pistoia
Make sure to check out this Ultimate Guide to Pistoia for recommendations for both adult cooking classes, as well as kids cooking classes.
While in Pistoia, I learned to make Fresh Tagliatelle Pasta, Ravioli, Ragu, Homemade Tomato-Basil Sauce and Tiramisu. Meanwhile, my kids took classes to learn how to make gelato, shortbread pastries, bread and pizza!
Conclusion: Pistoia Restaurants
Deciding where to eat in Pistoia isn’t easy. There are a lot of Pistoia restaurants, cafes, gelaterias, pizzerias and more to choose from. It’s nice to have options in a Tuscan foodie town!
Next, check out this