Osteria l'Orciaia In Bucine

WOW. This darling, family-owned restaurant in the tiny medieval village of Monte Benchi was one of the standout meals of our trip to Italy. Perched on a hilltop, the town—once a fortress—is now home to just 18 residents, three of whom run this incredible restaurant. The menu is handwritten on a chalkboard brought to your table, offering a small but thoughtful selection of traditional Tuscan dishes. Every plate was simple, authentic, and absolutely delicious. The standout was the spaghetti pomodoro — incredibly simple, yet easily one of the best pasta dishes we’ve ever had. We also loved the perfectly cooked Florentine steak, a delicate ricotta-filled “crepe” pasta, and lemon chicken that was understated but packed with flavor. Dining here felt like being welcomed into someone’s home, and wandering the picturesque, history-soaked village afterward made the experience all the more magical. An absolute must-stop — and truly one of the highlights of our entire trip.

The restaurant is located in a very small and charming village, which enjoys a beautiful view of the hills, typical menu well presented by the co-owner. The first courses are good, the meat is quality and for this reason I would prefer less spiciness. (I took the pork fillet) but it is my personal taste. As for the desserts, I would have liked a little more originality in the proposal. Overall a nice experience. Reservations are recommended.

Words can’t express how perfectly wonderful our experience was dining here tonight. From the bruschetta to the tiramisu and everything in between. We loved talking with the owners and learning a little about their history and a little about the medieval village of Montebenchi. Unforgettable evening.

Fuimos dos veces durante nuestra estancia. Restaurante familiar. Cocinero humilde, su esposa nos cuidó de maravilla. Platos tradicionales toscanos. Mi hija agradeció las opciones vegetarianas. El vino de la casa era bueno. Volveré.

Recommended by my brother. Family run restaurant. When twice during our stay. Excellent Fiorentina steak. The rest is very good as well. All typical Tuscan. Very good choice of wines but we appreciated the house wine. Relaxed atmosphere. Very reasonable waiting time. My daughter is vegetarian and my wife has DT1. Both were at ease and both times we left this restaurant with a smile.

If you’re within 100 miles, it’s absolutely worth the trip to experience this exceptional restaurant. From the food to the ambiance—and especially the host and chef, Gino—everything was unforgettable. We began with a pear, honey, and walnut appetizer that was deceptively simple yet perfectly balanced. Next came a rich, homemade pasta with meat sauce, followed by the most incredible Florentine steak we’ve ever tasted. We ended the meal with a luxurious chocolate mousse made from high-end chocolate—decadent and delicious. Gino was a true highlight: warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about ensuring we had a memorable evening. A charming man in a truly charming place.

Wonderful find! Family owned and traditional Tuscan food prepared simply and with great care. Everything we ordered was delicious. There was only one other couple in the restaurant on a rainy, cold Wednesday, but they had travelled from Ireland to visit because they had a recommendation from a family member. We were waited on by the owner / chef who ran the entire operation himself, including all the cooking. It was a very special evening and an opportunity to taste a meal prepared according the long traditions of the region. Highly recommend!