Petali di Toscana

Situated amid the fascinating 19C buildings in Ardenza, a district in the south of Livorno, Oscar is an excellent choice for anyone keen to enjoy simple, classic and traditional fish dishes with a focus on good quality – the sort of place where you would be more than happy to eat every day. And surely there’s no higher compliment than that!

Run by the owner-chef and her husband, Locanda Lo Scopiccio is a charming restaurant where careful attention is paid to every detail so that guests feel totally pampered. The cuisine is regional with the occasional hint of creativity, with a choice of two surprise menus or à la carte dining. There’s also a winter garden with a bright yet romantic feel.

It’s well worth leaving the coast and climbing into the foothills to get to this small restaurant serving excellent cuisine. Housed in a rustic-style house with individual furnishings, in what could be the sitting room of a private house, the restaurant serves meat and fish specialities prepared with imagination from local produce and ingredients from further afield. As well as being a wine expert, the female owner gathers herbs, flowers and berries to flavour her recipes.

This restaurant run by the young Nannini brothers (one front of house, the other in the kitchen) occupies one of Livorno’s most interesting buildings, situated in the district of Antignano with its period houses and typical atmosphere. The focus here is almost exclusively on fish, in dishes which are original yet at the same time respectful of their ingredients – matured fish is one of the specialities. A top-quality dining experience.

Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, all the tables at this restaurant offer sea views, whether you’re sitting in the winter dining room or on the outdoor summer terrace. The menu here focuses on top-quality fish dishes, which are classic in style, as is the background music and wine list, although the desserts have a more imaginative flavour.

This attractive restaurant with a simple, minimalist decor stands almost opposite the thousand-year-old church of San Frediano. The inviting menu here focuses on regional dishes with a successful combination of traditional and modern styles, including a section dedicated to barbecue options. Meat takes pride of place, although offal, cheese and a few vegetarian options also feature.

Tucked away in the small medieval village of Rivalto, with stunning views of the surrounding Tuscan hills, the Ripadoro agriturismo is home to this rustic yet elegant farm-restaurant serving traditional Tuscan dishes made from produce grown on the property. There’s an authentic charcoal grill which is used to cook classic ribeye steak, as well as the superb “girarrosto” – boned pigeon and quail served with potato rosti, yellow carrots with ginger and Jerusalem artichokes in foil. Make sure you save space for one of the delicious desserts! In summer, it’s well worth booking one of the outdoor t