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Tuscany countryside - foodie help!

Posted by on

Hi community,

My questions are mainly food-centric but would appreciate any input on my itinerary in the Tuscany countryside. I am driving from Florence to my countryside accommodation in Castellina where I will be staying for 3 nights. Any recommendations for a good place to stop for lunch on the way?

As check-in is only after 4pm I am thinking of just exploring around in Castellina once we check in. Is it easy to find a supermarket or somewhere we can obtain basic groceries like water, toilet papers and snacks?

Day 2 am thinking of heading to Greve & Panzano. Where would be a good place to get breakfast items like bread and cheese? How about any dinner recommendations in Greve or Panzano?

Day 3 Siena, and possibly San Gimignano on the way back if I have time

I actually am also rather interested in visiting Montalcino and Val d'Orcia but as they are much further drives am currently favouring the above towns. Are any of the above sites/towns "repetitive"? So I might cut that leg of trip out and make time to Val d'Orcia region instead.

Appreciate any help. Thanks!!

Posted by
8371 posts

We found the best supermarkets in the region to be in Poggibonsi--west of Castellina. Unfortunately the roads into Castellina are quite crooked, and it's a little off the beaten path.
We used to plan out meals when traveling, however we never seemed to execute our plans. I would suggest asking your B&B host for places to eat.
When in Tuscany and staying in an agriturismo with a kitchen, we often just cook for ourselves.

Posted by
16240 posts

If you want to taste the best bistecca alla fiorentina you could take the Via Chiantigiana (SR222), and stop at the Ristorante Da Padellina at Strada in Chianti.
There are plenty of good places to eat in or near the areas you are going. We Italians don't normally eat bread and cheese for breakfast. That is more a lunch or snack. The norm for a traditional Italian breakfast is to go to a bar caffè and have a cappuccino or espresso or caffèlatte and a brioche or other pastry (or more than just one if you have a big appetite).
You don't need to go all the way to Poggibonsi for groceries. There is a very convenient Coop supermarket in Castellina itself. Not a huge Hyper-Coop supermarket but large enough to carry everything you need for your stay. Their opening hours are 08:30-13:00 in the am and 16:00-19:30 in the pm, Monday to Saturday. In summer they close at 20:00 I think.

Posted by
1054 posts

I've been to both Greve and Montalcino and I enjoyed Montalicino more. I also prefer Brunello wine to Chianti wine so visiting some of those wineries was nice. The Val D'Oricia is beautiful. I'd go there instead of Greve and Panzano

Posted by
4 posts

Thanks so much for the info Robert, Roberto and David! Definitely very helpful for my planning :)

Posted by
2148 posts

We ate at the small restaurant in Lamole near Greve. It is a wonderful restaurant with both outside and inside options. You can do a google search for the exact name and website ). Lamole us quite tiny and they only have one restaurant. By the way, we also like the chiati wine that us made in Lamole

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