Buca di Sant'Antonio

Buca di Sant'Antonio, established in 1782 in Lucca, Italy, stands among Tuscany’s oldest taverns. Its origins as 'Osteria a S. Antonio' connect to a nearby hospital dating from 1406 to 1610. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, it functioned as a hostelry, livery, and stabling facility adjacent to the horse postal station. Today, Franco Barbieri and Giuliano Pacini manage the restaurant, maintaining an unbroken tradition of Lucchese cuisine. The kitchen specializes in handmade pasta prepared daily and classic local dishes such as farro soup. Serving Tuscan classics rooted deeply in regional history, the restaurant delivers authentic flavors resonant with the heritage of Lucca. The dining experience unfolds in a warm, family-like environment that respects the establishment’s rich past. Having hosted notable figures including Giacomo Puccini and Princess Margaret of England, Buca di Sant'Antonio embodies a philosophy of tradition, quality, and local culinary preservation.