Lucca Food
Explore Lucca Food: Restaurants, Street Food & Markets
Lucca is a culinary paradise waiting to be explored. From traditional dishes to international flavors, this city offers a wide range of gastronomic delights that will satisfy every palate.
We spent a month in Lucca researching what local foods to eat and where to eat them. We’ve compiled a summary of the information we collected so you can start enjoying Lucca food as soon as you arrive!
This Lucca food guide includes a list of the top traditional dishes, best restaurants, and markets to visit. Additionally, it offers a great food tour for an immersive experience.
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Local Food in Lucca
When it comes to local food in Lucca, you’ll find a rich culinary heritage that reflects the city’s history and cultural diversity. Traditional Tuscan dishes take center stage, showcasing bold flavors and hearty ingredients.
Check out our Tuscany Food page for more information about these foods.
Tuscany Food
Tuscan food is known for its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients.
Restaurants in Lucca
Lucca is home to a vibrant culinary scene, with many restaurants offering traditional cuisine.
Ristorante All’Olivo
Address: Via Arancio, 38, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Peperosa
Address: Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, 4, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Ristorante Mecenate
Address: Via del Fosso, 94, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Ristorante Giglio
Address: Piazza del Giglio, 2, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Buca di Sant’Antonio
Address: Via della Cervia, 3, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Food Markets in Lucca
Lucca is not only known for its top-notch restaurants but also for its vibrant food markets. These markets offer a wide array of fresh produce, local delicacies, and culinary delights for both locals and tourists to explore.
Mercato Contadino di Lucca
The nineteenth-century site of Foro Boario boasts the first farmers’ market in Lucca, held on Saturdays and, during the summer months, also on Wednesdays. This area is situated near the San Quirico bridge, where roads from the Garfagnana valley and the Versilia coast once converged, and where seasonal markets were traditionally held.
Address: Foro Boario, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
MercoledìBio
Address: Via Santa Croce, 10, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Food Tours in Lucca
Food tours in Lucca provide an organized way to learn about traditional Tuscan dishes, local ingredients, and the role of bakeries, markets, and small eateries in the city’s food culture. These tours typically include short walks through the historic center combined with tastings of regional specialties.
Best Places to Stay In Lucca
Hotels in Lucca
There are many great places to stay in Lucca. For the best experience, we recommend staying near Piazza dell’Anfiteatro (the castle marker on the map below). The area around Piazza dell’Anfiteatro is the most pedestrian-friendly, surrounded by restaurants and historical shops, and the main attractions are nearby.
Here’s a map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.
FAQs About Lucca Food
What is Lucca known for food?
The symbolic dishes of Lucca include garmugia (a spring soup made with vegetables and bacon), tordelli al ragù (fresh pasta stuffed with pork and beef, soaked bread, cheese, and eggs), and rovellina (breaded and fried beef slices cooked in a tomato and caper sauce).
What is Lucca famous for?
Lucca is famous for its historic center, which is filled with monuments, palaces, and churches, the significant cultural events it hosts each year, and its delightful culinary traditions.
What is the specialty of Lucca pasta?
One of the most famous dishes in Lucca is tortelli lucchesi (locally known as “tordelli lucchesi”), a bright yellow pasta made from wheat flour and eggs.
What is tordelli in Lucca?
Tordelli lucchese are a rather large ravioli filled with meat and served in a meat sauce.