This is a somewhat busy restaurant where it wouldn't hurt to make recommendations, but no matter what you'll be glad to have eaten here. The atmosphere is cool and relaxed--brick walls with giant old framed posters and candlelight. Its patrons are both locals (in groups and in couples) and tourists alike, and not just American tourists but people from all over the globe. The food is DELICIOUS and the wine selection is superb. Ask your waiter for a great match and he will offer a very smart and knowledable answer. Recommended dishes: polenta with formaggio & funghi (cheese and mushrooms), ravioli with a pear stuffing, etc. If you can handle it, finish your meal with a bit of grappa and you'll be good to go!

Very convenient location just south of Duomo, though on difficult to locate small side street. Excellent, imaginatively prepared food. I particularly liked the Spada salad: raw swordfish, thinly sliced and well-seasoned, with greens. Many excellent and unusual salads. The only restaurant we went to in Italy during the summer which was willing to serve us from their excellent hot chocolate menu (many varieties and flavorings, very thick and substantial). Relaxed and inexpensive, great value. Second-best meal we had in Italy.

Step into Coquinarius and you might think you’re in Paris or New York, until you taste the handmade spinach ravioli or rucola tossed with fennel and blood orange. As an appetizer, try the crostini, small slices of Tuscan bread, or crostone, large slices for one, served with whipped marscapone cheese and fresh salmon. The thickzuppa di farro, or barley soup, is served in a heaping bowl with fresh-cut vegetables and a drizzle of olive oil. Salads are a forte here; creative choices include toppings such as sun dried tomatoes, eggplant, sunflower seeds, zucchini flowers or pear.

Since this restaurant is also a well-stocked wine bar, you can choose either a bottle or glass from over fifty local labels. Also try a pot of tea from their menu of exotic blends.