Where to eat in Pistoia: Tuscan cuisine without the crowds
Pistoia serves classic Tuscan cuisine, but with the prices and pace of a city less trodden by mass tourism.
Zairon, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
Pistoia shares the foundations of Tuscan cuisine — unsalted bread, extra virgin olive oil, grilled meats — but serves it at more accessible prices and without the queues of nearby, more touristy cities. The trattorias in the historic centre, around Piazza del Duomo and the surrounding streets, are the easiest starting point for a traditional meal.
Being a city lived in more by residents than tourists, the best places are often found by moving just slightly away from the main squares, into the more residential streets of the old town. It's worth asking for the dish of the day rather than relying only on a guidebook: Pistoia's cuisine, like much of Tuscan cooking, changes with the season and with what the market offers.
Practical info
When should you go to Pistoia?
The best months are April, May, June, September and October, when there are fewer people.
Are there a lot of people in Pistoia?
Pistoia is very quiet compared to the more touristic destinations.
Where exactly is Pistoia located?
Pistoia sits in Tuscany.
Part of the complete guide
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Serravalle Pistoiese ~7 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto Firenze Amerigo Vespucci FLR ~32 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
