Restaurants in Italy: From Starred to Exclusive Experiences

André Freitas May, 2025

Why do we travel? To experience a new culture up close? To appreciate architecture different from our own? Or simply to relax? Certainly, all of these reasons are common, but for many travelers, enjoying the local cuisine is at the top of the list. Especially when we talk about Italy, often considered the birthplace of European cuisine. That’s why nothing is more delightful than offering you a guide to restaurants in Italy.

Embark with Cieli di Toscana and discover exclusive experiences, osterias, enotecas, and trattorias that celebrate the pleasure of eating and drinking.

5 Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Italy

La Pergola (Rome)

Part of the “three Michelin stars” family, this is historically and exclusively the only restaurant in Rome to hold this distinction. And it has been since 2005. Today, Chef Heinz Beck runs the kitchen. He proclaims to offer dishes that result from a meticulous analysis of every detail and aspect of the multiple values of ingredients. In other words, balance is the foundation of this cuisine, which is also marked by its lightness.

The restaurant is located at the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, offering magnificent panoramic views of the Eternal City. It’s ideal for a romantic dinner in Italy. Finally, it is also featured in the 50 Best Discovery, an extension of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants ranking, reaffirming its prominence in the international gastronomic scene.

Osteria Francescana (Modena)

If you’re a fan of culinary programs, you’ve likely seen the episode featuring the famous Massimo Bottura on Chef’s Table. Bottura seems to transport the Renaissance ideals of his Italian ancestors into gastronomy. This is because, for him, art is a setting for ideas, inspirations, and possibilities.

The Osteria earned its first Michelin star in 2002, the second in 2006, and the third in 2012, maintaining them ever since. In 2016 and 2018, it took first place on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. It’s also part of the exclusive “Best of the Best” group in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and boasts the Michelin Green Star. An impressive résumé to ensure a place in a guide to restaurants in Italy.

Enoteca Pinchiorri (Florence)

The restaurant defines its cuisine as one that emphasizes research and respect for raw materials, creativity, and mastery of cooking techniques. In other words, an extremely attentive service, but not intrusive. Additionally, the luxurious environment of a Renaissance palace provides a memorable dining experience.

On the other hand, Chef Annie Féolde leads the establishment, which earned its third Michelin star in 2015, making it the only one in Florence. This was achieved through a combination of French and Italian traditions. Finally, among restaurants in Italy, it was the first in Europe to receive the Wine Spectator Grand Award, highlighting its excellence in wine selection and preservation.

Piazza Duomo (Alba)

Here, you’ll have an immersive experience in the Piedmontese terroir. First, one of the menus is inspired by gardens and the seasons, another by the region, while the third takes guests on a culinary journey across Italy. All under the leadership of Chef Enrico Crippa, who led the restaurant to earn three Michelin stars.

Expect a welcoming and sophisticated environment, where the interior walls are adorned with works of art. As if that weren’t enough, the restaurant is located in a historic building in Piazza Risorgimento, 4, in the heart of Alba, making the space even more striking and perfect for a romantic dinner in Italy.

Ristorante Wistéria (Venice)

Poetically, this restaurant named its menu “Serendipity,” which means “happy accident” or “discovery by chance.” Well, if it’s up to us, it won’t be by chance. With our tip, you can plan a visit to the place. This way, you’ll delight in local, seasonal ingredients that create dishes that reflect the richness of the Venetian Lagoon’s ecosystem.

Boasting one Michelin star in the 2025 Guide, Wistéria bets on a welcoming atmosphere and the skilled, precise presentation of dishes, while offering an environment free of affectation. In short, a very special restaurant in Italy.

4 Exclusive Experiences

Rossellinis – Palazzo Avino (Ravello, Amalfi Coast)

If you’re the type who loves breathtaking views, this place is perfect. After all, a spectacular landscape serves as the backdrop for rich cuisine, graced with a Michelin star. That means you can expect contemporary dishes made with fresh ingredients.

For a unique experience, you can choose between the Chef’s Table (designed for up to six guests) with an exclusive menu and the Sommelier’s Table (created for that romantic dinner in Italy) in an original 12th-century cave. All perfectly paired with a carefully selected wine list.

La Sala dei Grappoli – Castello Banfi (Montalcino, Tuscany)

Have you ever thought about having a romantic dinner in Italy inside a medieval castle with a view of the lush Tuscan hills? Well, if you’re here, we bet you have. To make this dream come true, there’s La Sala dei Grappoli, led by Chef Domenico Francone. But if the weather isn’t ideal, you can enjoy your dinner indoors, under the vaulted ceilings of the castle’s ancient wine cellars.

This restaurant in Italy earned a Michelin star, combining specialties from Puglia, Francone’s hometown, with Tuscan cuisine, so that the dishes manage to be innovative while reflecting the rich local culinary tradition.

Ristorante Grotta Palazzese (Puglia)

Palaces, historic buildings, medieval castles—these are fantastic, but somewhat familiar experiences. Now, dining inside a natural cave overlooking the Adriatic Sea is something you’ve probably never thought of. Beyond the absolutely captivating atmosphere, the restaurant offers fresh local ingredients, emphasizing the traditional cuisine of Puglia.

Grotta Palazzese has been known since the 18th century and was used for parties and banquets. It’s easy to see why. The sea view, distant lights along the coast, and the sea breeze transport you to an idyllic world that harmonizes flavors, colors, textures, sounds, and tastes in a completely cinematic way. In short: this is likely to be a romantic dinner in Italy you’ll never forget.

Galeone Veneziano Dinner (Venice)

Venice has its own magic, and this dinner is a way to experience it in a special way. By candlelight, carefully harmonized flavors, and an intimate atmosphere, this dinner is an experience that goes far beyond gastronomy.

As the boat glides through the canals and islands of the Venetian lagoon, you’ll see the city from a different angle, feeling time slow down. A dinner that transcends taste—a moment to be lived and remembered forever.

Experience exclusive dinners in Italy with Cieli di Toscana

After so many irresistible options, it’s almost safe to say you’re salivating. And to satisfy that craving, there’s no better way than to count on a tailor-made trip organized by the team at Cieli di Toscana.

Contact our experts and have an itinerary created just for you. Leave all the travel preparations to us and enjoy the flavors, colors, textures, and aromas of Italy without a care in the world.

We are a travel agency unlike any other. We pave the way for you to live exclusive, authentic, and sophisticated experiences. Plan your trip with Cieli di Toscana and discover the essence of Italian cuisine in its most genuine form.

André Freitas is a copywriter and has traveled to 28 countries, always juggling to include Italy in the itinerary, which resulted in 19 cities and a list of tips.