Siena Food Specialties: What to Order

# Siena Food Specialties: What to Order

Siena's food is hearty, sweet, and unapologetically peasant in origin. These are the dishes you should not leave without trying.

Key facts

• Pici al ragu: hand-rolled thick spaghetti with slow-cooked beef ragu.
• Pici cacio e pepe: same pasta, pecorino cheese and black pepper.
• Ribollita: bread and bean soup, hearty enough to be a meal.
• Cinta senese: ancient Tuscan pork breed, served as cured meat or roast.
• Panforte: dense honey-spice cake, the local Christmas sweet (sold year-round).
• Ricciarelli: soft almond cookies, often dusted with icing sugar.

What I tell visitors

Pici cacio e pepe is the safest order at any trattoria — even bad versions are good. Pici al ragu varies wildly; ask for the recommendation.

Related guides

• Florence
• Vs Sg
• Things

Final word

Whatever brings you to Siena — food, the Palio, the Tuscan countryside — slow down. The city repays attention. If you have a tip to add or a correction, write us at redazione@visitsienaguide.it.