La Guardiola In Pienza

Excellent aperitif, kindness, courtesy and professionalism

I arrived in Monticchiello on foot from the north. It was a sunny November day and the sun was slowly approaching the horizon. The path was lined with ploughed fields in the color of Tuscan ochre. Medlars and persimmons were ripening, red rose hips glowed on the branches, and fresh acorns lay in the undergrowth. The landscape shone with the full palette of Tuscan colors. In other words, the walk from Montepulciano was enchanting, yet long enough for me to reach La Guardiola with a proper appetite. I was lucky. Many restaurants were closed off-season, but La Guardiola offered me a splendid gourmet experience. The sun was already touching the horizon over the Val d’Orcia when I ordered my first glass of Orcia DOC red wine for €5. As a starter, a delightfully light bread with lardo arrived at my table. The slice of bread was toasted, and the lardo from the Italian Cinta Senese breed was thin, transparent, delicious, enticingly glossy, and sprinkled with a generous amount of strongly aromatic rosemary, which paired surprisingly well with the fat. And now for another completely needless digression: Did you know that the word for ‘pig’ sounds similar throughout Europe? In Italian suini, in German Schwein, in Norwegian svin, in Czech svině, in Polish świnia, in Urdu swuan? My second course was Florentine tripe (Trippa alla Fiorentina). An unusual ingredient, which I had known only from the Czechia, surprised me here. It was prepared with a tomato sauce. The dish’s flavor was emblematic. Because of their texture, tripe is a very animalistic and dynamic food. My personal theory says that tripe is preferred more by men, for the same reason that sausages and salamis are more popular with women. My taste buds barely resisted the urge to order another course at La Guardiola. I wouldn’t hesitate to compare this inner battle to the year 1555. Just as the armies of Siena held their last strongholds against the advancing Florentines, but ultimately had to surrender, I too had to surrender the desire to order a third course. Night had fallen, and it was time to head back.

Perfect spot in Monticchello to have a glass of wine and relax! Friendly staff and helpful!

Delicious food and impeccable, warm service is what brought us back two days in a row for our family dinners. Standout dishes must be the piglet stew (so tender and flavourful) and the ravioli. Don’t skip the desserts too, we polished the custard cake clean even after a full meal. We had such an enjoyable time here and would love to be back one day.

On a trip to Monticchiello, we decided to stop for a gourmet break at this wine bar. We ordered an excellent platter for two (€30) and two glasses of wine (€10). Highly recommended for the quality, ambiance, and service.

The place is lovely in terms of view, the food was mediocre for our taste, the risotto was very tasty, but we ordered a pork belly dish that was very tasteless and we returned it to the kitchen and still they charged us for it, even though we ordered another dish instead. Tourist prices and there is not much choice of dishes and pastas

At the gates of Monticchiello, this place will remain in our minds: what a beautiful moment facing the beauty of a postcard landscape. The service was perfect, the prices are very reasonable. A little corner of paradise, I will return with great pleasure...

We had lunch here, delicious and good value food, great views, delicious Torta della Nonna!

The place has wonderful views. It's small but charming. The service is wonderful. And the hot chocolate bowl is delicious.

A beautiful terrace for enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine overlooking the magnificent countryside of the Val d'Orcia. Views of Pienza and the white paths.