Where to eat in Pontedera and the Valdera
The Valdera is a land of good food and outstanding produce. Here's what to taste, where to find it and how to experience the local food and wine.
In Pontedera and the nearby villages the cuisine is the most genuine Tuscan kind: simple ingredients, extra-virgin olive oil, saltless bread and traditional recipes. But the area also hides some excellences known across Italy.
Flavours not to miss
Fine chocolate
The Valdera boasts an internationally awarded chocolate maker: top-quality bars and single-origin crus to take home.
Artisan pasta
In Lari a historic pasta factory produces bronze-drawn, slow-dried pasta: a Tuscan culinary institution.
Lari cherries
Sweet and fragrant, celebrated each spring with a much-loved festival. Many historic local varieties.
Pisan Hills wines
Local reds and whites, with wineries around Terricciola where you can taste straight from the producers.
Extra-virgin olive oil
The hills' green gold: mills and farms open their doors for tastings, especially during the pressing season.
Truffle and mushrooms
The hills yield truffle and mushrooms, stars of the autumn food fairs and of the local trattoria menus.
Food & wine experiences to book
Winery tastings, chocolate and oil tours, Tuscan cooking classes and food tours can be booked online, often with free cancellation.
FAQ
What are the typical dishes of Pontedera and the Valdera?
Hearty Tuscan country cooking: ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, pici and tordelli, grilled meats and wild boar, with extra-virgin olive oil and saltless bread. Signature products include artisan pasta, Lari cherries, truffle, fine chocolate and Pisan Hills wines.
Where can I do a wine tasting near Pontedera?
In the Valdera hills, especially towards Terricciola and the Pisan Hills, where many wineries offer visits and tastings. They are easy to book online among the area's food and wine experiences.
Where can I buy local produce?
In the shops of central Pontedera and in the Valdera villages: artisan pasta makers, chocolatiers, oil mills and wineries. Seasonal markets and food fairs are great chances to buy directly from producers.