The Best Restaurants in Tuscany – Mecenate in Lucca

Mecenate in Lucca: Where Tuscan Traditions Meet a Modern Culinary Soul

By Artviva – Italy’s Most Trusted Travel Experts for Over 25 Years

There’s a restaurant in Lucca that whispers to you before you even open the menu. The kind of place you want to keep a secret, but can’t help telling everyone about the moment you walk out the door. Mecenate is that restaurant. It isn’t flashy. It doesn’t need to be. Like the best places in Tuscany, it simply is—genuine, soulful, and deeply rooted in the land that surrounds it.

The Story Behind the Table at The Best Restaurants in Tuscany Mecenate

Mecenate is the creation of chef-owner Riccardo and his partner Silvia, two Lucchesi who left the fast-lane restaurant scene of larger cities to come home—not just geographically, but philosophically. They chose to build something that reflects their values: sustainability, seasonality, local agriculture, slow rhythms, and heartfelt hospitality.

The restaurant’s name, Mecenate (meaning “patron”), is a nod to cultural patrons of the past who supported the arts. Riccardo and Silvia see food as art. They cook with olive oil from known producers, buy vegetables from nearby farms, and build menus around what the land offers each week. The wines are predominantly Tuscan, with a focus on small organic estates.

The Food: Simple, Seasonal, Sublime

If you’re looking for foams and theatrics, this is not the place. Mecenate’s menu is a love letter to Tuscan cooking: hand-cut pasta with wild boar ragù, zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and mint, rabbit slow-cooked in white wine and sage, and crespelle filled with porcini and béchamel.

Start with a board of local salumi like lardo di Colonnata and finocchiona, paired with rustic house bread baked daily. Finish with almond cake and Vin Santo. Let the owners guide your wine pairing—they know exactly what fits your mood and the season.

Where to Find Mecenate

Mecenate is tucked just beyond Lucca’s Renaissance walls on a quiet side street. The walk there—through cobbled lanes, soft light, and the scent of espresso—is part of the experience. It feels close to the city, yet completely removed from its noise.

A Little About Lucca Itself

Lucca is a city best experienced on foot or by bicycle, circling its intact Renaissance walls. Inside, you’ll find Roman echoes in Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, rooftop gardens on Torre Guinigi, and masterpieces like the Duomo di San Martino and Ilaria del Carretto’s tomb.

It’s quieter than Florence or Pisa, but that restraint is part of its charm—elegant, lived-in, and timeless.

The Real Deal: Pier Carlo Testa at Mecenate

During filming at Mecenate, Artviva’s Director Pier Carlo Testa immediately connected with the place. Born in Italy and deeply rooted in Tuscan food culture, he embodies the philosophy behind Artviva: authentic people, real food, and meaningful experiences.

For him, Mecenate is not performance—it is lived culture. A place where terroir, memory, and craft come together naturally.

Watch the Video of Mecenate in Lucca

Created by Codegena.

For Those Hungry to Explore More: 10 Artviva Experiences

After a meal at Mecenate, these experiences extend the journey through Tuscan food culture:

1. Truffle Hunt & Wine Tasting in Tuscany – Forest foraging with expert hunters.
2. Florence Food Lover’s Tour – Markets, bakeries, and hidden gems.
3. Chianti Wine Safari – Boutique wineries and long vineyard lunches.
4. Cooking with a Countess – Aristocratic Tuscan cooking traditions.
5. Pasta-Making with Nonna – Traditional handmade pasta techniques.
6. Olive Oil Experience in Lucca – Visit a family-run olive press.
7. Michelangelo & Mozzarella Tour – Art history meets tasting experience.
8. Montalcino Wine Experience – Brunello vineyards with a sommelier.
9. Tuscan Market & Cooking Class – Shop, cook, and dine in a farmhouse.
10. Gelato & Dessert Tour – Florence’s artisanal sweet stops.

Why Artviva?

With over 25 years of experience in Italy, Artviva focuses on real connections—not scripted tours. We work directly with chefs, winemakers, artisans, and local families to create experiences rooted in authenticity and depth.