A versatile Tuscan restaurant with homemade pasta, pizza, seafood, truffle dishes, and substantial steaks, generally praised for food and hospitality but with occasional service delays and heat-related comfort issues.
I Vecchi Amici delivers strong food quality and attentive service that anchor a reliable Tuscan dining experience, with pasta, meat, and seafood earning consistent praise. Inconsistent execution on pizza and occasional doneness issues prevent a higher grade, while service speed lags during busy periods despite overall hospitality excellence.
I Vecchi Amici is a welcoming, full-service Tuscan restaurant that feels especially useful for groups, travelers, and anyone who wants more choice than a narrowly focused trattoria. Reviews describe an attractive interior, warm staff, generous parking, and a room that can shift from a quick lunch stop to a wedding-scale production. One diner summed up the appeal as feeling like dinner among “old friends,” while a few busy-night reports suggest the room can become noisy and the service stretched. The kitchen is broad and confidently contemporary: homemade tortelloni, wild-boar pappardelle, seafood, Fiorentina, truffle dishes, and a large pizza menu share the stage. The cooking is recognizably Tuscan but not shy about modern combinations, such as prawn tartare with cacio e pepe or octopus tortelloni with turmeric. The strongest consensus favors pasta, beef, presentation, and tiramisu, though pizza and individual meat dishes have produced occasional misses. Expect roughly €35-45 for a representative full meal before drinks, with premium steaks sold by weight. Families have plenty of practical choices, including burgers, French fries, roast potatoes, familiar pizzas, and simple grilled chicken, and one review specifically describes a four-year-old dining there. The menu also includes vegetarian and vegan options. That said, some creative toppings and truffle-heavy dishes are aimed at adventurous eaters, so picky children may be happiest with the straightforward pizza or burger options.
Area vibe: Scenic, agricultural Tuscan valley with hill towns, wineries and agriturismi.
Safety: Quiet and safe daytime; rural roads with limited lighting at night require care when walking after dark.
What's nearby: Near Terranuova Bracciolini town center, local shops, regional roads (SR69), wineries and agriturismi; within reach of Arezzo and Florence.
The safest bets are truffle starters, homemade pasta, Tuscan beef, and tiramisu, with premium steaks priced by weight
Budget carefully for weight-priced steaks and be prepared for possible noise, heat, or slower service on busy nights
The setting is welcoming and group-friendly, but busy evenings can turn the attractive dining room noisy and hectic