Arnolfo Restaurant
Arnolfo is a two-Michelin-star restaurant set within the medieval walls of Colle di Val d’Elsa, a hill town in the province of Siena in Tuscany. Named after Arnolfo di Cambio, the 13th-century sculptor and architect born in the town, the restaurant is run by brothers Gaetano and Giovanni Trovato and has been one of Tuscany’s most acclaimed dining destinations since earning its first Michelin star in 1994. The kitchen draws on Sienese and broader Tuscan traditions, interpreted with precision and creative depth.
At a glance
- Type
- Fine dining restaurant (two Michelin stars)
- Period
- Opened 1982; first Michelin star 1994; second star earned subsequently
- Style
- Contemporary Tuscan; creative Italian haute cuisine
- Location
- Colle di Val d’Elsa, Province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy
- Coordinates
- 43.4210° N, 11.1167° E
Overview
Colle di Val d’Elsa divides into two distinct zones — the modern lower town (Colle Bassa) and the elevated historic upper town (Colle Alta) — linked by a steep road that ascends through centuries of architectural layering. The upper town retains its 13th-century street plan, flanked by tower-houses and palaces, and is renowned as the birthplace of Arnolfo di Cambio (c. 1240–c. 1310), who went on to design the Florence Cathedral and Palazzo Vecchio. The restaurant adopts this name as both a cultural tribute and a statement of territorial pride.
History
Gaetano Trovato opened Arnolfo in 1982, bringing a refined culinary vision to a town better known for crystal glass manufacture than gastronomy. The early menu focused on Sienese traditions — pici, wild boar, truffle from the Crete Senesi — elevated through classical French-influenced technique that Trovato had studied in prestigious kitchens. The first Michelin star arrived in 1994, confirming Arnolfo as a benchmark for Tuscan fine dining outside Florence. A second star followed, placing the restaurant in a select group of Tuscan establishments operating at international level.
What you see
Arnolfo occupies an elegant palazzo in Colle Alta’s historic centre, its dining rooms offering views across the rooftops toward the Val d’Elsa and the wooded Chianti hills beyond. The interiors blend stone walls and vaulted ceilings with contemporary furnishings — an aesthetic that parallels the kitchen’s balance of tradition and innovation. The wine list is exceptional in its coverage of Tuscan estates (Brunello, Bolgheri, Chianti Classico Riserva) alongside a thoughtful Italian and French selection.
Cultural significance
By naming itself after Arnolfo di Cambio, the restaurant stakes a claim within a continuum of Tuscan creative excellence that stretches from medieval sculpture to contemporary gastronomy. Colle di Val d’Elsa is otherwise little visited by international tourists relative to its significance — the town produced one of Italy’s most influential medieval architects and remains a centre of artisan crystal craft. Arnolfo functions as a cultural ambassador for this understated corner of Tuscany, attracting food pilgrims who often discover the town’s heritage alongside their meal.
Practical information
- Address
- Via XX Settembre 50/52, 53034 Colle di Val d’Elsa (SI), Tuscany, Italy
- Hours
- Check the official website for current service times; reservation essential
- Admission
- Tasting menus and à la carte; two-Michelin-star pricing applies
Getting there
Colle di Val d’Elsa lies on the SS68 between Poggibonsi and Volterra, approximately 25 km north-west of Siena and 50 km south of Florence. By car from the A1 motorway, exit at Firenze Impruneta or Poggibonsi Nord. The nearest rail station is Poggibonsi-San Gimignano, served by Trenitalia from Siena and Florence; local bus connections link it to Colle. The historic upper town is best reached by car as the gradient is steep.