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We've compiled the best of the best in Southern Tuscany - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Bakers Francesca and husband Davide create classic Southern Tuscan biscuits such as cantucci with cinnamon and almonds, as well local Jewish delicacies like the sfratto di Pitigliano (biscuit log filled with fig paste) that is tied to the nearby Jewish ghetto's long history.
Lots of shaded outdoor seating makes this a pleasant place for lunch on a warm day. Pecorino cheese, spicy salami, and grilled vegetables sott'olio (preserved in olive oil) are served cafeteria-style. And, if you want something even spicier, the stuffed hot peppers are delicious. There is a good selection of wine, but the choice of desserts is limited, and they don't serve coffee.
An elegantly restored monastery in the upper part of Montepulciano is home to this excellent enoteca (wine bar), which has a wide selection of wines by the glass.
Homemade pastas and fresh seafood are served here with a dash of style. The chef puts a creative spin on the classics, coming up with such delights as homemade vegetable gnocchi with scampi in a butter and saffron sauce. The semifreddi (think part gelato, part cake) are particularly good. Just a few steps from Rio Marina's scenic port, this is an easy stop on your way to or from the ferry.
