The Suite Spot is the newsletter extension of Lux Travels Insider, a personal journal of travel notes, beautiful places, and thoughtful observations on the art of traveling well.
Each edition brings together the places I’ve personally loved, the hotels and villas I recommend, and the under-the-radar discoveries I believe are worth bookmarking. Free subscribers receive select stories and recommendations, while upgraded subscribers get full access to every edition, including complete destination guides, personal travel notes, and exclusive offers worth knowing about.
For those of you who are new here, I’m a travel writer and photographer based in Nevada, so I usually spend my summers trying to escape the desert heat. This year, the heat wave followed me all the way to Tuscany, but thankfully so did rolling countryside, cooler evenings, and some of the best meals I’ve had in quite some time. I’m admittedly a bit of a hotel snob, and apparently that extends to restaurant reservations too, because even when the rest of my itinerary is relaxed, I always make room for one or two Michelin-starred dining experiences.
In Tuscany, these restaurants often feel like an occasion in themselves, whether you are dining inside a centuries-old palazzo in Florence, overlooking the vineyards of Montalcino, or tucked away on a countryside estate in Chianti. Below are the Michelin-starred restaurants in Tuscany truly worth building into your itinerary.
Enoteca Pinchiorri, three Michelin stars: Set within a magnificent seventeenth-century palazzo, Florence’s most celebrated dining experience brings together inventive Italian cuisine, gracious old-world elegance and an extraordinary wine cellar.
Santa Elisabetta, two Michelin stars: Hidden inside the ancient Pagliazza Tower near the Duomo, Santa Elisabetta offers an intimate and beautifully composed evening that feels wonderfully removed from the bustle of Florence.
Saporium Firenze, one Michelin star: Saporium brings the beauty of the Tuscan countryside into the city through imaginative farm-to-plate cooking inspired by biodiversity, regenerative agriculture and ingredients from the Borgo Santo Pietro estate.
Atto di Vito Mollica, one Michelin star: Opening onto the frescoed Emperors’ Court of Palazzo Portinari Salviati, Atto pairs elegant contemporary Italian cuisine with one of Florence’s most romantic historic interiors.
Il Palagio, one Michelin star: Located within the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Il Palagio is especially enchanting on warm evenings, when contemporary Tuscan cuisine is served on a terrace overlooking the hotel’s private gardens.
Borgo San Jacopo, one Michelin star: Just beyond Ponte Vecchio, this intimate Hotel Lungarno restaurant pairs refined seasonal cooking with beautiful Arno views and two coveted balcony tables suspended above the river.
Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, one Michelin star: Set within Gucci Garden on Piazza della Signoria, this fashionable dining room brings a playful, international spirit to Italian cuisine in the very heart of Renaissance Florence.
Osteria di Passignano, one Michelin star: Surrounded by Antinori vineyards beside the medieval Badia a Passignano, this elegant country restaurant celebrates Tuscan ingredients alongside wines aged in the historic cellars beneath the abbey.
Contrada, one Michelin star: Set along the medieval piazza of Castel Monastero, Contrada offers a romantic countryside evening shaped by seasonal ingredients, polished Tuscan cooking and the quiet beauty of the surrounding estate.
Il Pievano, one Michelin star: Located within Castello di Spaltenna in Gaiole in Chianti, Il Pievano combines creative cuisine and an atmospheric castle setting for an evening that feels unmistakably Tuscan.
Poggio Rosso, one Michelin star: Inside the beautifully restored village of Borgo San Felice, Poggio Rosso presents refined Mediterranean cooking with subtle Greek and Turkish influences in the heart of the Chianti countryside.
Il Visibilio, one Michelin star: Tucked inside The Club House near Castelnuovo Berardenga, this intimate restaurant creates an imaginative tasting experience that draws together Tuscan ingredients, unexpected ideas and quietly theatrical presentation.
L’Asinello, one Michelin star: Housed in a former stable at the entrance to the tiny village of Villa a Sesta, L’Asinello feels especially romantic in summer, when dinner is served in its secluded garden.
Campo del Drago, two Michelin stars: At Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Campo del Drago pairs some of Tuscany’s most creative cooking with estate-grown ingredients and a panoramic terrace overlooking the hills of Montalcino.
La Sala dei Grappoli, one Michelin star: Perched on the Castello Banfi estate, La Sala dei Grappoli offers an elegant interpretation of Tuscan cuisine accompanied by vineyard views and the celebrated wines of Montalcino.
Il Falconiere, one Michelin star: Set in the former conservatory of Villa Baracchi, Il Falconiere serves graceful, seasonally inspired Tuscan cuisine beneath a glass-covered terrace overlooking Cortona and the rolling countryside beyond.
Osmosi, one Michelin star: Surrounded by the vineyards of historic Fattoria Svetoni near Montepulciano, Osmosi offers creative contemporary cuisine in an elegant wine-estate setting made for lingering over a beautifully paired dinner.
As a VRBO partner, I spend hours researching beautiful hotels, homes, and villas around the world so you don’t have to. Below, I’ve linked some of the most beautiful places to stay in Chianti, all of which are highly rated.
~$600/night
If your idea of Tuscany includes vineyard views, a private infinity pool, and scenery that barely looks real, this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom villa just outside Greve in Chianti may be exactly what you are looking for. The restored 16th-century farmhouse has traditional Tuscan interiors, two king bedrooms, and a twin room, along with gardens that open onto the surrounding countryside. Outside, there is an outdoor dining terrace, a pizza oven, and plenty of space for slow mornings and long evenings at the villa. It is a beautiful choice for anyone wanting privacy and an authentic Chianti setting, with some of the region’s most charming villages and wineries close by.
~$600/night
For anyone who loves the beauty of the Tuscan countryside but still wants to walk into town for dinner, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom cottage is just ten minutes from Panzano. This restored home sleeps five, with a double bedroom, a twin room, and a charming single room, all surrounded by traditional Tuscan interiors and views across the Greve Valley. Outside, the private infinity pool and shaded pergola overlook olive trees and vineyards, creating an idyllic setting for breakfast outdoors and leisurely afternoons by the water. This home is particularly a lovely choice for those wanting an intimate Chianti stay with both privacy and one of the region’s most charming villages close by.
Book Lucrezia’s Panzano Cottage
~$1,200/night
For the Tuscany trip that calls for a true private estate, Villa Benedetta offers nine bedrooms, seven-and-a-half bathrooms, and space for up to 18 guests just outside Greve in Chianti. The historic villa sits within a renowned family wine estate, with traditional interiors, a private heated pool, shaded gardens, and a beautiful gazebo overlooking the countryside. Guests can visit the estate’s wine cellars, arrange private dining or cooking classes, and even walk into Greve for dinner, which is a rare luxury in rural Tuscany. I would save this villa for a milestone birthday, an elegant celebration, or the kind of group trip everyone will still be talking about years later.
I shared a few Q&As on Instagram last month, so I thought I’d bring some of the most frequently asked questions here, from beautiful places to stay to where I’m traveling next.
Do you travel full-time?
Not at all, in fact I’m home most of the time. I usually plan one long Europe summer trip each year, along with a few weekend getaways, but honestly, I love being home just as much as I love traveling.
Do I need to rent a car in Tuscany?
Yes, absolutely! Private transfers make sense on wine-tasting days, but having your own car gives you the freedom to explore Tuscany’s countryside and smaller towns on your own schedule.
Where should we travel in Europe this fall?
Piedmont would be my first choice for Barolo, white truffle season, and beautiful countryside stays, with the Douro Valley or Bordeaux as equally lovely options for wine tasting and a polished fall escape.
Domenica Ida is a travel writer and photographer based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the founder of Lux Travels Insider. For newsletter features, photography packages, and brand partnerships, please email Contact@LuxTravelsInsider.com. Follow along on Instagram and visit LuxTravelsInsider.com to explore our curated travel guide collection.
This newsletter may contain affiliate links for hotels and products featured. If you book or purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, everything I share reflects my honest perspective and genuine enthusiasm for what’s featured.
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