Authentic restaurants

Look for ones that are down side streets. Smaller mom and pop are the best! Do not go to any that have a waiter standing outside trying to get you to come in, like a car dealership. Do not go to ones that have an English menu posted outside, or ones that have 50 different choices. Authentic places may only have menus in Italian, some with translation, and fewer choices, because they cook to order. This is where I use Google translator.

There are few tourist trap restaurants in Lucca outside of Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. Inside Anfiteatro Sotto Sotto has the local's respect and there is a Michelin Guide listed Peperosa as well. In general Lucca has way more good restaurants than it should for its size so follow the general rules and don't eat in sight of a monument or a place with an English menu first on the outside board and you'll be fine.

If you want recommendations just ask the locals, but the really respected places - like Osteria di Manzo, or Giglio and including those I listed above - should generally be reserved a couple of days in advance if you really want to eat in a specific place. But good, local food is everywhere so you don't need to search out the best restaurants for a great experience.

Hope that helps,
=Tod

I try to avoid places that have pictures of the food outside or on the menus.