Michelin Star Tuscany: Florence Welcomes a New Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Michelin Star Tuscany marks one of the region’s most exciting culinary seasons in years, thanks to the debut of a new starred restaurant in Florence: Luca’s Restaurant, inside the refined La Gemma Hotel. The announcement, made during the presentation of the Michelin Guide Italy 2026 at the Teatro Regio in Parma, enriches a gastronomic landscape that already positions Tuscany as one of the top destinations for fine dining in Italy.

This guide offers an in-depth look at the region’s Michelin stars, explores the story and philosophy behind Luca’s Restaurant, and provides a comprehensive list of starred establishments across Tuscany for travelers who want to plan an unforgettable culinary itinerary.

A New Michelin Star in Florence: Luca’s Restaurant Joins the Map

Florence welcomes a new member to its prestigious group of Michelin-starred addresses: Luca’s Restaurant, located just a short walk from Piazza della Signoria. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2026, a recognition that celebrates not only high-level cuisine but also a deeply personal project grounded in family history and hospitality.

Luca’s Restaurant was born as a tribute to Luca Cecchi, a man for whom the dining table represented the most authentic part of life: where people returned to each other, shared stories, and nurtured relationships. His son Massimiliano Cecchi, together with his mother Alessandra, carried this philosophy into the DNA of the restaurant. Their vision aligns seamlessly with the approach of La Gemma Collection’s general manager, Laura Stopani, resulting in a space where warmth and refinement coexist.

When the Michelin star was announced, Massimiliano and Alessandra described the moment with profound emotion:
“Seeing our father’s name connected to this Michelin star moves us deeply. For him, the table was the truest place in life: a place to meet, listen, and care for one another. We are certain he would be happy today.”

This intimate narrative sets Luca’s apart in Florence: it is not only a restaurant, but an expression of a family philosophy that places the guest at the center of everything.

Inside Luca’s Restaurant: Chef Paulo Airaudo’s Philosophy of Truth on the Plate

The kitchen at Luca’s is led by chef Paulo Airaudo, an Argentine talent with Italian heritage and an impressive international career spanning Europe, Latin America and Asia. Known for a style based on precision, restraint and essential flavors, Airaudo did not simply transfer a formula to Florence—instead, he listened to the city.

Airaudo describes the restaurant’s approach in a single sentence: “We do not look for effects—we look for truth on the plate.”

This philosophy shapes a cuisine that respects Florence without trying to imitate tradition. The restaurant’s menu is built around:

• Exceptional ingredients, treated with care
• Simplicity with intention, where nothing is decorative
• Balance between research and authenticity
• Daily attention to detail, rather than theatricality

The chef works closely with Tommaso Querini, who supports the kitchen’s meticulous rhythm, and Olivia Cappelletti, responsible for the pastry section. Together, they create a culinary language that is coherent, elegant and sensitive.

Luca’s Restaurant has quickly become one of Florence’s most intriguing dining rooms, offering an experience shaped by emotion, place and technical mastery. For Michelin, the star reflects the harmony between culinary skill, guest experience and storytelling.

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Tuscany in the Michelin Guide 2026: A Region of Culinary Excellence

With 45 Michelin-starred restaurants confirmed for 2026, Tuscany ranks among Italy’s top regions for fine dining—just behind Lombardy and Campania.

The combination of landscapes, ingredients, craftsmanship and long-standing hospitality traditions makes Tuscany a unique gastronomic destination.

Below is a complete overview of Michelin Star Tuscany, organized to help travelers plan the perfect food-focused itinerary.

Two-Star Restaurants in Tuscany (2026)

Five Tuscan restaurants confirm their two-star status, highlighting a remarkable range of styles and territories:

• Da Caino – Montemerano (Manciano, Grosseto): Chef Valeria Piccini continues to shape one of Italy’s most respected kitchens, blending Maremma identity with refined technique.
• Il Piccolo Principe – Viareggio (Lucca): Chef Giuseppe Mancino leads a creative Mediterranean-inspired kitchen inside the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, known for precise execution and elegant flavors.
• Campo del Drago – Montalcino (Siena): Located within the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco estate, the restaurant offers a refined interpretation of Tuscan ingredients with deep ties to the surrounding vineyards.
• Arnolfo – Colle Val d’Elsa (Siena): Chef Gaetano Trovato continues to refine a contemporary and expressive culinary language rooted in Tuscan tradition and artistic presentation.
• Santa Elisabetta – Florence: Inside the Brunelleschi Hotel, chef Rocco De Santis delivers an intimate and sophisticated dining experience focused on balance, purity and thoughtful technique.

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One-Star Restaurants in Florence (2026)

Florence remains one of the richest urban areas for starred dining in Italy. The 2026 Michelin Guide lists the following one-star restaurants in the city:

• Luca’s by Paulo Airaudo
• Atto di Vito Mollica
• Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura
• Il Palagio (Four Seasons)
• Borgo San Jacopo
• Saporium Firenze

Each offers a distinct take on contemporary cuisine, ranging from luxury-hotel dining to intimate tasting rooms.

Read also: The 7 Best Luxury Hotels in Florence

One-Star Restaurants Across Tuscany (2026)

(organized alphabetically by city/town to facilitate travel planning)

Arezzo

• Octavin

Badia a Passignano

• Osteria di Passignano

Casanova di Terricciola

• Cannavacciuolo Vineyard

Castelnuovo Berardenga

• Il Visibilio
• L’Asinello
• Contrada
• Il Poggio Rosso

Castiglione della Pescaia

• La Trattoria Enrico Bartolini

Chiusdino

• Saporium

Fiesole

• Serrae Villa Fiesole

Forte dei Marmi

• Lorenzo
• Lux Lucis
• La Magnolia
• Sciabola
• Bistrot

Fosdinovo

• Locanda de Banchieri

Gaiole in Chianti

• Il Pievano

Ghirlanda

• Bracali

Marina di Bibbona

• La Pineta

Marina di Grosseto

• Gabbiano 3.0

Marlia

• Butterfly

Montalcino

• La Sala dei Grappoli

Montepulciano

• Osmosi

Porto Ercole

• Il Pellicano

Prato

• Paca

San Casciano dei Bagni

• Castello di Fighine

San Gimignano

• Linfa

San Martino

• Il Falconiere

Seggiano

• Silene

Tavarnelle Val di Pesa

• La Torre

Viareggio

• Romano
• Lunasia

Vinci

• Atman

This broad distribution illustrates a core truth about Michelin Star Tuscany: great food is not limited to major cities. Travelers can discover extraordinary meals in coastal villages, medieval hilltowns, vineyard estates and mountain routes.

Tuscany Is One of Italy’s Great Gastronomic Destinations

Tuscany’s culinary landscape thrives on a combination of elements:

• Rich agricultural diversity, from olive oil and heirloom vegetables to game meats and world-class wines
• A long tradition of hospitality, shaped by rural culture and family-based cuisine
• Contemporary chefs who reinterpret tradition, balancing research with authenticity
• Iconic settings, from Renaissance palaces to wineries and seaside hotels

For travelers, this means endless opportunities for exploration—whether planning a tasting itinerary through Chianti, staying at a countryside relais with a starred kitchen, or booking a special-occasion dinner in Florence.

Planning Your Culinary Trip to Tuscany

If you’re mapping out a food-focused journey through the region, here are simple strategies:

• For Florence: Book well in advance, especially at Luca’s, Gucci Osteria, Il Palagio and Borgo San Jacopo.
• For wine lovers: Pair a visit to Montalcino, Montepulciano or Chianti with a Michelin-starred lunch or dinner.
• For seaside travelers: Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio offer a rare mix of beach life and haute cuisine.
• For countryside escapes: Locations like Colle Val d’Elsa, Montemerano and Gaiole in Chianti offer remarkable starred destinations in peaceful settings.

A New Star for a New Florence

The arrival of Luca’s Restaurant on the Michelin map signals an important moment for Florence. It brings together a meaningful family story, the talent of an international chef, and a contemporary interpretation of hospitality that aligns perfectly with the city’s cultural identity.

For travelers, it adds one more exceptional reason to explore Florence—not just for its museums, architecture and history, but also for a growing gastronomic landscape that continues to evolve each year.

Read also: Michelin Star Milan 2026: A Complete Guide to the City’s Newest Stars and Where to Eat Now

This guide will help you navigate it all, offering a detailed overview of every starred restaurant in the region and highlighting why Michelin Star Tuscany remains one of Italy’s most rewarding destinations for food-loving travelers.