Love to eat well? Then that already makes Tuscany an ideal destination as you’ll find all sorts of incredible meals at amazing price points in all kinds of eateries, excellent regional dishes, perfect ingredients at markets, delicious street food to eat on the go, food festivals, guided tastings, and much more besides. For foodies, Tuscany presents endless options and food experiences and for foodies who like more exclusive opportunities, it offers a long list of Michelin-starred and Michelin-recognised restaurants. Recently, four new restaurants have been added to Tuscany’s Michelin Guide for 2026. So, if you want to add some fine-dining experiences to your trip and to get ahead of the crowd then these are the newly listed gems that you should add to your itinerary...
Via Gracco del Secco 86, Colle di Val d'Elsa, 53034, Italy
This elegant but cosy and playful little restaurant is located in a beautiful old stone building in the historic and well-preserved town of Colle di Val d’Elsa. A charming gem famous for its crystal and art, located along an ancient pilgrimage route in the province of Siena, not far from San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, the town is a wonderful place for a day trip if you book a villa in Siena. While you’re in the area, hiking, exploring, or just taking in the art and heritage, cap it off with a perfect meal at the atmospheric and excellent Barbagianni. The oak tree decorated in twinkling lights that grows in the middle of the dining room makes an immediate and unforgettable first impression before the food takes centre stage. Unpretentious but adventurous and creative, the offerings at Barbagianni can be enjoyed as an à la carte option or three different tasting menus (either four, five, or seven courses) with prices starting at €85 per person. Perfect wine pairings can also be recommended by the staff on hand to really make this a dream culinary experience.
Via Ponzano per San Donato 35, Empoli, 50053, Italy
Located in a 19th century farmhouse just outside the pretty town of Empoli, about 30km from Florence, this gem honours seasonal ingredients, local heritage, and its rural setting while still presenting everything in a refined and elegant package. The simple but stylish dining room is a perfect place to sample Tuscan delights at their finest. Under head chef Marco Bagordo there is both a 4-course tasting menu and an à la carte menu with plenty of options to choose from. With a wine menu boasting a great local variety including the estate’s own vintages and stunning views all around, this restaurant is well worth a visit if you have booked a vacation rental in Florence or the surrounding area and are exploring the landscape of the countryside as well as the delights of the city during your holiday.
Piazza dell'Unità Italiana 3, Florence, 50123, Italy
Heading to the city itself and something a little different, this trendy fusion restaurant brings together Japanese and Korean culinary traditions with a distinctly American lens. With a varied and exciting à la carte menu and some excellent cocktails, the restaurant is helmed by former snowboarder turned head chef Akira Back. Enjoy the food and the atmosphere in the stylish surroundings of this plush and funky space on the ground floor of the W Florence, just a three-minute walk from the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. For those who book a holiday rental in Florence and who are darting around the famous historic centre of the city, trying to see it all and fit in all of the major attractions, it is a perfect spot to grab an electric and exciting dinner after a day of exploring.
Via del Giglio 9, Florence, 50123, Italy
Not far away is this restaurant inside the Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi, one of several different dining experiences and eateries in the building by Chef padron Iside De Cesare and Resident chef Salvatore Canargiu. Serving up Canargiu’s Apulian sensibility, it boasts a menu of dishes made with local and seasonal ingredients. Choose between either the neat à la carte menu or go for the full experience with the 5 or 6-course tasting menus and dine in the elegant and carefully considered dining room or the lush secret garden that is open depending on the season and the weather conditions. As the Michelin Guide entry notes, the experience of dining at this little gem is made complete by having your aperitif first at the hotel’s rooftop bar, the Aria, from which you can take in views of the city’s skyline and the Duomo while you look forward to an incredible meal. For those looking to grab a chic and impossibly elegant dinner while staying in one of luxury villas in Florence, this is a true must!
So, if you are planning a vacation in Tuscany and you want to add some excellent fine-dining experiences to a dreamy escape in this foodie paradise then consider booking a table at one of the Michelin Guide’s most recent additions to their picks in the region...