Situated in the city center, halfway between Corso Italia and the leaning tower Antica Trattoria Il Campano, aka “Il Campano” is an institution in Pisa. And if you ask to someone local about a traditional restaurant, for sure Il Campano will be mentioned. The menu is wide, with dishes based on meat or fish. We suggest to try the meat there: starter like tartar of tuscan beef, then Maltagliato al ragu bianco ai profumi dei Monti Pisani (english: homemade pasta with meat sauce, spices and pecorino cheese), and as main course sirloin steak with chianti souce and served with baked potato, or, if you like to try something new: trippa centopelli e lampredotto alla pisana (english: tripe in tomatoe souce).

Just a stone’s throw from the first one, there is placed my next best place to eat in Pisa. More informal and a less expensive than Il Campano, is another piece of meat tradition in Pisa, without disregard fish obviously.

Still in the city center Trattoria Pizzeria Il Montino, aka “Il Montino” is best for pizzas. This is the first pizzeria in Pisa, opened in the XIX century. Obviously it is the best place in the city to eat pizza, you can try calzone, a particular type of pizza folded on itself.

Another place you don t’ have to miss in the city center is Sottobosco Libricaffè. As its name implies, it is not just a place to eat, but a cultural center as well. Indeed is at same time a caffè, a tavern and a library, and not only: in fact in the evening you can find there also good cocktails while listening live bands playing jazz music.

Finally, another unexpected place situated in the heart of the city: Orzo Bruno. It is mainly a brewery, where they sell their own beer, all of which is brewed in a small factory is near Pisa. But you can also eat sandwiches and wraps made with all biological ingredients. The place is large and, sometimes, a bit loud in the evening when it is full of students. Anyway it is probably the best place to have a beer in Pisa.