The 8 Best Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Pisa
Food, oh, glorious food.
It is something I indulge in often, perhaps too often. I love it. There is not much better than a perfectly baked loaf of bread, a bowl of piping-hot noodle soup, or a fresh vegetable salad. But, then again, we are in Italy!
Food from Italy is famous across the globe. Pizza, pasta, and so much more. One food group that is very much adored in Italy, especially Tuscany, is meat. Andrew and I live in Tuscany, and we are vegetarians. I admittedly will indulge in some fish every so often, but for the most part, I stick to the world of veggies.
We also love to eat, and we love to eat out at new restaurants. So we were a bit intimidated by the lack of vegetarian options. That is until we learned to read the menus before going out, and that asking questions is at some point is essential. It can also lead to some AMAZING meals.
So, when it comes to finding vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Pisa or any other city, it’s best to look at the menu before committing. There are restaurants that do not have a single dish that doesn’t contain meat. It can sometimes be a bit difficult to find something both delicious and vegetarian-friendly. So I have made things easier on you. Here you will find a list of our favorite vegetarian (and wallet) friendly restaurants in Pisa. I have also included a list of tips and tricks for eating out in Italy.
Eating Out in Italy
We are always looking for new, delicious, and affordable restaurants in Pisa. Andrew and I love going out with our friends and enjoying a good meal followed by dessert and an espresso. These are the nights that we stay up past my normal bedtime. Be forewarned, Italians tend to eat LATE, at least later than what I am used to in the United States.
Many restaurants won’t even open until 7 p.m. or later, and there has been more than one occasion where I have gone to dinner with friends after 9! As someone who used to go to bed at 8 in order to get up at 5, this has taken some getting used to.
This was a cultural difference I had heard of but was not completely prepared for. That’s okay, I am getting used to it. And you will too. It’s always a good idea to look up the opening times for restaurants as they typically have a lunch hour and dinner hour.
The siesta hours are a real thing in Italy. Many shops and restaurants will close for 2-3 hours in the mid-afternoon. Especially in smaller cities and villages.
Popular Vegetarian-friendly Italian Meals
Pasta
Need I say more? Pasta is one of the quintessential Italian meals that you think of when talking about Italian cuisine. And I can attest to the fact that Italians LOVE their pasta. There are 350+ different types of pasta noodles in Italy!
Noodles come in every shape, color, size, and ingredients you can imagine. Supermarkets have entire aisles dedicated to the delicious carbohydrate. You can buy them dried or fresh, with/without egg, all depending on your mood. And there is a special sauce to go with almost all of those delicious noodles.
When it comes to an Italian menu, you will find pasta dishes listed under ‘Primi’ or firsts. They may be considered the first course, but they typically fill me up without the help of a starter, second, or dessert.
Pizza
Here we have another world-famous meal. I bet that if you took a poll of all the people in the western world, asking what their favorite food was, the majority would say pizza. Especially when it comes to children.
If you are visiting from the United States, then you are probably used to having pizza smothered in cheese and covered with toppings. Or perhaps the deep-dish pizza of Chicago, which is inches deep and filled with a rich sauce, cheese, and meats/veggies.
In Italy, you will find the pizza to be quite different. I am not saying it is necessarily better than the aforementioned, but I would say it is, simply put, delicious. I remember the first time we had pizza at a local pizzeria (l’arciere). They didn’t have very many vegetarian options, but we opted for the pizza with marinara and buffala cheese and mushrooms. It was AMAZING! A thin and chewy crust, splashes of cheese, and a sprinkling of mushrooms. The ingredients may be minimal, but it is a case of less is more.
Pizza is not for sharing in Italy. Everyone gets their own personal pizza. And they are not small. Be prepared for your pizza to come unsliced, as you are expected to eat it with a knife and fork, but really you can do whatever you like.
Street Food
The street food that we have encountered in Pisa, and have further fallen for, is actually from the South of Italy. It seems that the most common street food originates from Rome and further south, and from islands such as Sicily.
Deep-fried arancini, pastries filled with cheeses and eggplant, and many more greasy treats (did someone say pizza?) will leave you smiling. Diets are out the window while in Italy!
Sandwiches
One of America’s go-to lunches. The sandwich. PB&J, egg salad, cheese, veggie, and many more. They are all great examples, but we aren’t in America, we are in Italy! Italy has its own version of the sandwich, or as they call it: Panino.
In the U.S. it is common to find hot sandwiches filled with gooey melted cheese go by the name panini. But did you know that in Italian, panini means sandwiches? Whichever way you slice it, that is the way the bread crumbles in Italy.
Foriegn Food A.KA. Not Italian
Italians love their country’s food, and for good reason. It’s delicious, simply scrumptious. And because of this, Italian’s don’t venture far out of their culinary comfort zone.
Coming from a melting pot of cultures in America, we have been spoiled with a wide range of different types of food. I have a weakness for Ethiopian and Thai food. Unfortunately, I have not found either of these in Pisa. But we have found a select few delightful foreign cuisines.
Okay, here we go.
The 8 Best Vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Pisa
Pasta
Ir Tegame:
This is our favorite pasta stop in Pisa. It provides very fresh ingredients, homemade pasta, and seasonal dishes.
One of my favorite kinds of pasta is with fresh truffles, and when it is in season, Ir Tergame has the best. Ir Tegame has a fantastic Caccio de Pepe, which originates from the nearby region of Siena. The fresh pasta is delectable and the restaurant is usually full, so be sure to try to make a reservation. The closer to opening you come, the greater chance you have of finding a table, due to Italians typically dining later in the evening.
Website: irtegame.com
Address: Piazza Cairoli, 9, 56127 Pisa
Street Food
Etna Street Food: As the name suggests, this food originates from the south. You will find Arancini, which is our very favorite snack. These are balls of rice and cheese with a variety of fillings and then deep-fried. At Etna, we always find them to be fresh and delicious. The vegetarian-friendly arancini are eggplant as well as spinach. It is located directly off of Corso Italia, making it a quick and delicious option for food. It easily ranks at the top of our favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Pisa.
Address: Via S. Bernardo, 55, 56125 Pisa PI
Pizza
Pizzeria ‘89: This pizzeria is located in Piazza La Pera. It has a street entrance as well. It has incredibly delicious pizza with a perfectly chewy crust. The pizzeria also has several vegetarian pizzas to choose from on the menu. They range from basics like the margarita pizza to other slightly more complex pies. Between its location and its quality pizzas, this pizzeria is a great choice for one of the best vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Pisa.
Website: pizzeria89
Address: Via S. Martino, 8956125 Pisa PI
La Taverna Di Pulcinella: Located on a small quiet street that parallels Corso Italia, La Taverna is one of the most popular pizzerias in Pisa. It even has pizzas with crusts stuffed with mozzarella. This pizzeria has several options when it comes to vegetarian pizzas. The quattro formaggio is a favorite of ours and if you are a lover of eggplant then you will also be very satisfied. Check out all of the different options other than pizzas as well.
website HERE
Address: Via Garofani, 10, 56125 Pisa PI
- Many pizzerias also have fried calzones called panzerotti. They are almost like little deep-fried handheld pizzas. Originating from the South, they are absolutely delicious. They also fit under street foods, but there are so many pizzerias that have them, I have left them off.
Sandwiches/Panini
Il Crudo: Also located in a piazza near piazza Garibaldi on the north side of the river, this sandwich shop does not have any vegetarian options on the menu BUT don’t let that deter you. They will happily let you build your own sandwich (panino) with all of their spreads, veggies, and cheeses.
Address: Piazza Cairoli, 8, 56100 Pisa PI
I Porci Comodi: As one of the highest-rated panini shops in Pisa, this is an obvious favorite for carnivores and herbivores alike. One of the top vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Pisa, in regards to panini, they are bound to have something for everyone. They offer several different vegetarian options and it is located next to a beautiful park in which you can enjoy your sandwich under a shady tree.
Address: Via l’Arancio, 3-1, 56126 Pisa PI
Ethnic (Not Italian)
Al Madina (Syrian): Al Medina is a restaurant that offers Syrian cuisine. There are several clearly labeled vegetarian dishes that are sure to leave you satisfied. The vegetarian sampler is a favorite for vegetarians and carnivores alike. The portions are large but the ingredients are fresh and (primarily) very healthy. You will find dishes like falafel, couscous, and curry. The hummus and baba ganoush are fantastic appetizers or sides to accompany your meal.
Address: Via S. Martino, 41/45, 56125 Pisa PI
Website Here
Namaste (Indian): Similar to the United States, Indian food in Italy tends to be very vegetarian friendly. In Pisa, this vegetarian-friendly and delicious restaurant actually has two locations. It is one of the rare places you can actually find spicy cuisine (if requested), which is a nice change of pace. It is one of our favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Pisa.
Address: via San Bernardo, 34 and via A. Ceci, 56
Website Here
Find The Best Gelato In Pisa Here
Tips and Tricks to Finding the Best Restaurants
*hours: Keep in mind that many restaurants in Pisa will have lunch hours and dinner hours. They tend to close for several hours in the afternoon. Some won’t open again until 6 pm or 7 pm.
*menu length and variability of foods: Many of the tourist-heavy locations will have restaurants that offer a vast number of dishes. This probably means that the dishes are frozen before preparations. Look for small trattorias for fresher and more authentic cuisine.
*look at the menu before going: This may go without saying, but as a vegetarian, it can be very annoying to get to a restaurant and find that it has no options for you to eat. If you are able to, look up the menu before going to see if there are any options.
*Ask questions and have google translate: If you weren’t able to look up the menu or the restaurant was chosen without your input, be sure to ask if they can make something for your dietary restrictions. You will be surprised by how many places will be happy to make you something.
