A polished Tuscan restaurant with standout wood-fired beef, attractive dining rooms and generally warm service, though recent isolated reports raise concerns about steak temperature, takeaway delays and perceived pricing.
Osteria MARTINELLI delivers strong food quality anchored by carefully prepared meats and traditional Tuscan dishes, paired with notably attentive service that earns consistent praise. The elegant multi-room setting with its Piazza location and outdoor pergola creates a welcoming atmosphere, though modest consistency notes on recent steaks prevent a higher tier.
Osteria Martinelli feels more polished than its osteria name suggests: a welcoming restaurant on the town square, with two indoor rooms and a pergola outside. Diners describe a refined, relaxing setting and service that is discreet but attentive; one recurring impression is that the team makes a substantial steak dinner feel like an occasion rather than a production. The cooking is proudly Tuscan and meat-led, with wood-fired Florentine steak, Chianina beef, lamb, game, Cinta Senese pork and traditional pasta. The menu is elevated regional cooking rather than experimental cuisine, and the strongest chorus of praise goes to tender beef, porcini tagliatelle, careful cooking and the unusual gelato with olive oil and Maldon salt. A small recent counterpoint reports a cold, reheated steak and bland beans, so diners ordering expensive beef should expect careful execution but may reasonably check temperature on arrival. Families can find approachable choices, especially €8 rigatoni with tomato, €10-12 pasta dishes, roast potatoes, desserts and familiar grilled meats, although there is no clearly listed children’s menu. The atmosphere is more suited to a relaxed family dinner or celebratory meal than a rushed casual stop; takeaway service may be a different story, with one recent visitor reporting a wait of more than two hours.
Area vibe: Touristic Tuscan area mixing seaside resort culture and small-town historic centres.
Safety: Generally safe, quiet town square with low evening footfall outside high season.
What's nearby: Small historic piazza in the village of Marginone near Lucca, with local shops, churches and rural roads to nearby towns.
The wood-fired Florentine steak is the main event, but the €12 porcini tagliatelle and olive-oil gelato are also worth seeking out.
Plan ahead for a relaxed, meat-focused meal, with premium beef, wine, and occasional service delays capable of changing the experience and cost.
Expect an elegant town-square setting, attentive service, and a dining room that feels more occasion-ready than casual.