Restaurants in Cortona (and a bonus bar)
La Grotta
Address- Piazza Baldelli 3, Cortona
Phone- +39 0575 630271
Website- http://www.trattorialagrotta.it/en/home/
Hours- Open for Lunch and Dinner everyday Tuesday
Price- Middle Range
Reservations by phone or email info@trattorialagrotta.it (or try through the website)
This restaurant is tucked back into a very picturesque piazza in Cortona. We had dinner here on our first night, as it was recommended by our wonderfully accommodating AirBnb host, and it was a perfect welcome to the enchanting Tuscan town. The website only offers a selection of what they have on the menu, but it still offers a tantalizing taste. The atmosphere is exactly what you would hope for to envelop you while indulging in truly fantastic Tuscan fare. Since 1977, La Grotta has delighted guests with regional specialties. We had a gorgeous Pappardelle al cinghiale (flat pappardelle pasta with wild boar sauce) and split a Fiorentina (the famed Tuscan steak) as a second course. Even though I am partial to white wines, a Tuscan Sangiovese is the only choice. (Sangiovese is the grape used in many Tuscan wines, Chianti and Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino; read more here.) According to their website, La Grotta proudly buys meats from a trusted butcher every day. One of those meats is the Cinta Senese, used to top a fresh pici pasta, definitely a recommended dish. The Cinta Senese is a special Tuscan breed of pig. Find out more about it here. This restaurant felt appropriately cozy on a chilly October night, but during warmer seasons, you can sit at tables in the piazza out front.
Recommended Dishes
Antipasto- Pecorino di fossa con marmellate (a delicious, intense pecorino cheese paired with jam)
Primo- Pappardelle al cinghiale or Pici fatti in casa alla cinta senese
Secondo- Fiorentina or Tagliata
Dolci- Homemade Tuscan Zuccotto (a pumpkin shaped dessert made with cake and ice cream)
Ristorante La Loggetta
Address- Piazza di Pescheria
Phone- +39 0575 630575
Website- http://www.laloggetta.com/en
Hours- Open for Lunch and Dinner every day except Wednesday
Price- Middle Range
Reservations- By phone, email info@laloggetta.com or on the contact page of the website
A “loggetta” the diminutive form of “loggia” which is a common feature of Italian architecture; it can be translated to ‘lodge,’ but it is better to describe the appearance. The “loggia” is like covered but open-air exterior gallery, and this architectural feature became popular in the early middle ages; in fact, this ‘loggia’ in Cortona that gave its name to the restaurant is from the 13th century. You can enter the restaurant through the “loggetta” and the restaurant is located in the wine cellar of the 13th century building. The restaurant is tastefully decorated with wood beamed ceilings, striking a balance of modern elegance with a historical feel. We found all of the servers to be particularly gracious and good humored. The cuisine is seasonal, regional, but with a bit of creativity mixed in. One of the recent Google reviews described the presentation of dishes as ‘pretentious’ but I appreciated the aesthetics and the tastes will help you readily forgive this. I remember the fresh pasta was particularly delicious, and we indulged in dessert as well.
Recommended Dishes
Un dolce squisito (a delicious dessert) and my friend Kevin at La Loggetta
Antipasto- Shrimp with Filo Crust and Mango Sauce (for something a bit different and creative)
Primo- Tortelli al Pistacchio or a regional classic such as I pici al ragù d’anatra (pici pasta in a duck sauce) or ribollita
Secondo- Fish or Meat, whatever suits your fancy
Dolci- They truly stand out here, so pick what looks good, but definitely save room! We indulged in a chocolate cake that hit the spot at the time, but I believe that the selections change.
Ristorante Taverna Pane e Vino
Address- Piazza Signorelli, 27
Phone- +39 0575631010
Website- http://www.pane-vino.it/ita/la-taverna.php
Hours- Open for Lunch and Dinner every day except Monday
Price- Low to Middle Range
Reservations-By phone or email taverna@pane-vino.it
Fresh market items in Cortona; photo credit to my friend Kevin
This rather casual restaurant is a great choice for lunch; whereas the other two, especially La Loggetta, have a ‘dinner’ feel. What is special about this restaurant is the special attention paid to the quality of local products. Many of the featured wines are from small producers and many make natural (organic or biodynamic wines). Here is a selection of some of the natural,(specifically with extended maceration period, creating the increasingly popular orange-hued wines) that they offer. Find other wine lists by region here. Thus, the same values are applied to selecting quality ingredients for the foods. As you can see from the menu, this restaurant boasts nothing ‘fancy’, but there will be no compromise on quality. The owners even produce their own local olive oil, named ‘Gemma’ after their daughter. On the menu, you will see that they proudly display the names of local producers of some products.
Recommended Dishes
Antipasto- Start with a bruschetta with a topping of your choice. I went for Bruschetta con Pomodori Secchi e pecorino.
Primo- I loved the traditional Ribollita. I would like to try the Zuppa di Farro e Ceci (farro and chickpea soup) but all of the pastas look good as well!
Secondo- Skip if you go for lunch
Dolci- Many are made in house, so you decide!
Bottega Baracchi
Bonus Bar/Restaurant (for breakfast and aperitivo)
Address- Via Nazionale, 78
Phone- +39 0575613874
Website- http://www.bottegabaracchi.com/
Hours- Open everyday from 9 AM – 12 AM
Price- Low to Middle Range
Reservations- There is an option to book online, but we did not find it necessary for breakfast and an aperitivo, which are the meals I would recommend at this place.
Breakfast views at Bottega Baracchi
This casual rather all-purpose bar has a lovely patio area nestled just beyond the Piazza Garibaldi with the view of rolling Tuscan hills in the background. We ate breakfast here two mornings in a row, and it was perfectly pleasant. We sat on a little couch set up in the back of the patio, ate the typical Italian breakfast of flaky cornetti (I always opt for an integrale con miele, (whole wheat flour with honey on the inside), a cappuccino and spremuta di arance (fresh squeezed orange juice). Walk out to the lookout point to take some gorgeous pictures over the Valdichiana (Chiana Valley). We returned to this spot one night and had an aperitivo after a day of exploring the undulating paths of the hilltop town. The position is also a great starting point as you prepare to ‘hike’ up to Santa Margherita.