Hello everyone,
We will be in Italy this May/June for 5 weeks. I already have some restaurant recommendations for some of the places we will be visiting. I could use some recs for Milan, Florence, Siena and Merano. We don't need Michelin starred restaurants. We prefer more casual places with good ethnic food where the locals go. A fancy restaurant or two is nice, as well. We like just about everything: meat, seafood, pasta. Good wine and desserts.

For Milan, I do have one restaurant on my list: Trattoria Milanese dal 1933 recommended by progol. But that's all I have. I have nothing for Siena. For Florence I have La Buchetta recommended by coral22. And I have nothing for Merano.

Is it necessary to make dinner reservations in advance?
Thank you!

I can suggest two restaurants in Siena, where we spent two days last September:

- Osteria il Carroccio This meal was a pleasure; a casual atmosphere, warm hospitality and, in retrospect, the best food we had in Tuscany.

- Antico Osteria da Divo A slightly more formal place. The food was fine.

The company that arranged our long-distance walk recommended that we make reservations for all evening meals, and well in advance. Based on what we experienced through Tuscany, I would say that was sound advice. We saw a lot of people turned away at the door.

AnselmAdorne, thank you so much for your recommendations! Especially for Osteria il Carroccio. Sounds like the type of place we will love, and especially love your comment that it was the best food you had in Tuscany. I will be sure to make reservations for evening meals!

Siena is one of our favorite cities. Each time we visit, we have to go to Osteria Nonna Gina for either lunch or dinner. They do a ricotta stuffed gnocchi with pistachio sauce that is fantastic. It's a homey, family run osteria with a local clientele.

Merano does have the Castle Veruca within its commune, no sniggering at the back.

Karen,
In Florence, we also really enjoyed Trattoria La Casalinga, which is across the river. It definitely has a locals feel, and it is more casual and lively. We had heard great things about Zeb, which is more upscale, but didn't make it there. I really suggest reservations, everywhere we went was packed, and you can always cancel if you run across something more appealing.

I second Trattoria La Casalinga, good food and as coral22 said more of a local feeling. It's in Oltrarno. And yes, make reservations for dinner.
Buca Mario near Piazza Santa Maria Novella is a nice family run place, good food, very popular, def need reservations.

Thank you to greytop13, coral22, bilboburgler, and raincitygirl!

Two recommendations for Trattoria La Casalinga!. Great! I will put all the recommendations on my list and will definitely make reservations for dinner. Thanks!

Some recommendations (PS: we are vegetarians, so this influences our choices) :
Milan : Joia (fine dining), Princi, Luini, Flower Burger (casual)
Siena : Fonte Giusta, La Sosta di Violante, Menchetti (casual)
Florence : Ciro & Sons. Florence is also gelato heaven.

Karen, from another vegetarian, I second ANUJ’s recommendations for Florence. We also enjoyed early apréritivos at Odeon Café, we had a server from Bulgaria who was super friendly and nice. He also entertained us with some tricks pouring out drinks and brought out several small plates with veggie options.

ANUJ, we’ll be in Milan and Siena in May, I have made note of your restaurant suggestions, thanks 😊

All roads lead to Italy this May! I'm also planning around May - hopefully Abruzzo & Molise.

ANUJ, thank you for your restaurant recommendations. Do you remember if they also serve meat or seafood? Or are they strictly vegetarian? I agree! All roads are leading to Italy this May!

geetika, weren't we in Greece around the same time, too? May in 2022? Will make note of Odeon Cafe. I am so looking forward to drinking Aperol spritz. I had them for the first time in NZ this past fall, and they are delicious and so refreshing!

All restaurants mentioned were "vegetarian friendly" and also served meat, except Joia (holds one Michelin star) which was exclusively vegetarian.

Strongly suggest the restaurant "Fioris" in Florence, especially their desserts with espresso. It was very tasty.

Check Michelin's online guide; they list not only "starred" restaurants but Bib Gourmand (recommended for good food and good value) and others with no designation.
I think many people think that if a place is listed in Michelin it means it's very expensive, but that is not true.

eks' message reminds me, the Gambero Rosso site is also a good point of reference for restaurant recommendations.

In Siena, we had a wonderful meal at Osteria del Gusto. We found it by accident, after taking a look at the stairs up to the cathedral. I said, nope, not climbing those. We happened to find the steep but manageable street on the other side, stopped at this restaurant and thought, this looks appealing. Terrific service and food and not expensive. Would happily go there again! Via del Fusari 13.

In Milan, Nabucco is a solid favorite and located in the attractive Brera district. We also like the fifth floor restaurant at La Rinascente department store. In warm weather, you can eat outside and enjoy the direct views of the roof of the Duomo. Has a nice, buzzy atmosphere.

And in Florence, a few favorites: Il Borro Tuscan Bistro. A definite cut above the average Florence restaurant. Elegant but not stuffy (in keeping with the luxury shopping nearby). Excellent food and wine. Not overpriced, but not the place for an inexpensive meal. Near the Ponte Santa Trinita. Our other fav is Osteria Cinghiale Bianco. The specialise in wild boar but have plenty of other things on their menu (although the pappardelle with wild boar ragu is fab). Casual, moderately priced and hugely popular. On the "other side" of the Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. For both of these, reservations highly recommended.

ANUJ, linas7776, ekscrunchy, and WeisserTee, thank you so much for all of your recommendations. eks, thanks especially for the tip about Bib Gourmand. I didn't know about that part of the Michelin recommendations. That's very helpful!

WeisserTee, I especially appreciate the recommendations for Milan and Siena! And Florence, of course.

In Florence, Aqua al 2, Via della Vigna Vecchia 40r, has the most wonderful steak with blueberry sauce. Might sound unusual, but trust me, it's delicious! Lots of other choices on the menu as well.

I also agree with Osteria Cinghiale Bianco, although it was over 19 years ago that I was there. Delicious wild boar, but also other choices. They had small pottery pitchers that I loved to serve wine or water. Terra cotta color with the name of the restaurant in white and a white boar's head for the spout. Of course, I asked them if they sold them, and they did. At 20 Euro, I thought they were definitely overpriced but decided I had to have one anyway. I have never regretted buying it, and it is still on my kitchen counter reminding me of a great trip! 😀

SusanP, thank you for your recommendations. We love steak and we love blueberries so I am more than willing to try that combination.