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, soul-nourishing, 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 the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like an old friend returning for lunch.
The restaurant’s name, Mecenate (meaning “patron” in Italian), is a quiet nod to the cultural patrons of the past—those who supported the arts, music, philosophy. Riccardo and Silvia see food as an art form, and each dish pays tribute to the artisans, growers, and traditions of Lucca. They cook with olive oil pressed by people they know. They buy vegetables from farmers who tell them what grew best this week. The wines are Tuscan, of course, with a strong emphasis on organic producers and small estates.
The Food: Simple, Seasonal, Sublime at One of The Best Restaurants in Tuscany Mecenate
If you’re looking for foams and flamboyance, look elsewhere. Mecenate’s menu reads like a love letter to the Tuscan table: hand-cut pasta with wild boar ragu, zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and mint, rabbit stewed slowly in white wine and sage. Their crespelle—thin crepes filled with porcini mushrooms and Parmigiano, bathed in béchamel—are the stuff of local legend.
Start with a board of salumi from small-scale producers nearby—paper-thin lardo di Colonnata, fennel-scented finocchiona, maybe even a rare prosciutto Bazzone if you’re lucky. Their handmade breads—baked daily—are dense with grains and perfect for dragging through the last drops of sauce. Finish with a barely sweet torta di mandorle (almond cake) and a glass of Vin Santo.
And always—always—let Riccardo or Silvia choose your wine pairing. They’ll match your mood, your plate, and the weather with uncanny accuracy.
Where to Find Mecenate
Tucked away on a quiet side street just beyond Lucca’s iconic Renaissance walls, Mecenate is the kind of place you need to know about in advance. The walk there—through cobbled lanes, past green-shuttered buildings and the smell of espresso—is part of the experience. It’s close enough to the main sites to be convenient, but far enough to remain a haven for those who value the real Tuscany.
A Little About Lucca Itself
Lucca is a city you feel with your feet. A place of walls and gardens, of cool shadows and bright piazzas. It’s known for its perfectly preserved Renaissance ramparts that encircle the old town, now a beloved promenade for locals and visitors alike. Walk or cycle along the tree-lined walls and you’ll glimpse rooftop gardens, bell towers, and laundry fluttering like flags of domestic peace.
The city’s Roman roots run deep—you’ll find the original amphitheater hidden in the shape of Piazza dell’Anfiteatro, its curved buildings holding the echo of ancient cheers. Climb the Torre Guinigi, where a garden of holm oaks grows from the rooftop. Visit the Duomo di San Martino to see Ilaria del Carretto’s haunting tomb by Jacopo della Quercia. Or simply sit in Piazza San Michele, drink a local bianco, and let the city unfold slowly around you.
Lucca is less overrun than its neighbors Florence or Pisa, yet holds its own with a quiet elegance that has seduced poets, princes, and food writers for centuries.
The Real Deal: Pier Carlo Testa at Mecenate
When we filmed at Mecenate for our upcoming culinary series, our Director Pier Carlo Testa—Italian born, with deep roots in Tuscan food culture—was instantly at home. Pier Carlo is the kind of Italian you hope to meet on your travels: erudite, warm, and instinctively tuned into the rhythms of real Italy. He’s not just an expert; he’s lived this culture from the inside, for decades.
He doesn’t just talk about terroir—he grew up in it. When Pier Carlo visits a place like Mecenate, it’s not for show. It’s because this is what Artviva is all about: genuine people, real food, unforgettable experiences that tell the story of a region through its plate.
See the Video of The Best Restaurants in Tuscany-Mecenate Lucca here:
For Those Hungry to Explore More: 10 Delicious Artviva Tours to Pair with Lucca
After your meal at one of the best restaurants in Tuscany Mecenate, you’ll want more—not just food, but connection.
Here are ten handpicked food and wine tours from our Artviva collection, perfect for expanding your Tuscan appetite:
1.Truffle Hunt & Wine Tasting in Tuscany – A sensory journey through oak woods and local vineyards with a real truffle hunter.
2.Florence Food Lover’s Tour – A guided walk through Florence’s best markets, bakeries, and gourmet secrets.
3.Chianti Wine Safari – Private access to boutique wineries, with tastings and a long lazy lunch under the vines.
4.Cooking with a Countess – Step into an aristocratic kitchen and cook historic Tuscan recipes with noble flair.
5.Pasta-Making with Nonna – Learn traditional techniques passed down through generations in a countryside kitchen.
6.Private Olive Oil Experience in Lucca – Visit a small, family-run frantoio (olive oil press) and taste the liquid gold.
7.Michelangelo & Mozzarella Tour – In-depth art history meets cheese tasting in Florence.
8.From Vineyard to Table: Montalcino Wine Experience – Explore Brunello country with an expert sommelier.
9.Tuscan Market Tour & Cooking Class – Shop like a local, then cook what you found in a stunning farmhouse kitchen.
10.The Sweet Life: Gelato & Dessert Tour – Discover the art of artisanal gelato, cantucci, and handmade chocolate in Florence.
Why Artviva?
Because we’ve been doing this for over 25 years, and we live here. We’re not outsiders parachuting into the experience—we’re locals who know the difference between tourist traps and treasures. We personally meet the winemakers, the truffle hunters, the chefs, the artisans. We don’t just take you there. We introduce you to people who become part of your story.
Ready to Taste the Real Tuscany?
Join us on a journey where food isn’t just fuel—it’s culture, history, and pleasure in every bite. Whether it’s a romantic lunch at Mecenate, a truffle hunt in the hills, or a noble cooking class, Artviva offers you access to the true heart of Italy.
Book your next unforgettable Italian food and wine adventure today at www.artviva.com or email us at [email protected] for personal advice from our expert team.
Travel like a local—with people who truly live here.
Buon appetito e buon viaggio!
