L' Ortino di Cortona — Restaurant in Cortona

This is a superb restaurant in the heart of the ancient city of Cortona. It features three tasting menus, one focused on vegetarian offerings; one which infuses coffee into each dish, and one that features all of the favorite dishes of the restaurant. In addition, the restaurant offers a three or five glass Wine pairings, and I strongly recommend the five glass wine pairing simply for the experience of several unique vintages.

The restaurant is located in a historic bakery, and the family has remodeled the facility entirely while keeping touchstones to its historic past. It’s a beautiful space on the second floor and features small nightly seatings of only five or six tables.

The staff is incredibly attentive and serves each unique dish in unique plates and settings. And, because the family who developed the restaurant were originally bakers, the bread and Grasini are not to be missed.

The food is wonderful and memorable. More than one friend has told me it was the best food they’ve had in Italy. The dishes begin with simple hors d’oeuvres and continue through unique courses that feature local ingredients prepared by a gifted chef.

This isn’t simply good cooking. It’s a memorable meal created by an international quality chef.

This restaurant is focused on a complete experience that blends location & environment, service, and incredible foods. L’Ortino was identified as one of the top new restaurants in Italy last year, and are clearly on their way to a Michelin star.

Do not miss this experience. My husband and I have taken our friends and family here over the last year and a half and they...

My sister and I ended our 10-day sister trip through Italy with dinner at L’Ortino in Cortona, and it was truly the most magical experience imaginable. Tucked just three narrow streets away from the busy, touristy center of Cortona, this hidden gem feels like a secret you’re lucky enough to discover — and I’m so glad I made a reservation in advance.

From the moment we stepped into the beautiful courtyard, it felt like we were being welcomed into a family’s gorgeous home rather than a typical restaurant. The atmosphere was warm, intimate, and special in every way — so intimate, in fact, that there were only three other dining tables besides ours. We chose the 7-course chef’s tasting menu, which turned out to be one of the best meals I have ever had in my life. Each dish was thoughtful, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. I’m honestly surprised the James Beard or Michelin folks haven’t descended upon this place yet — but it’s only a matter of time.

Monica and Giacomo, the incredible Maître d'hôtel duo, made the evening even more unforgettable. Their service was the smoothest and warmest I’ve ever experienced, attentive without being intrusive, and always making us feel genuinely cared for. In the end, they felt like friends.

L’Ortino is so much more than just a meal; it’s an experience that feels personal and heartfelt. This place is truly special and absolutely perfect for the last night of a beautiful trip. If you find yourself in Cortona, do not miss this phenomenal...

L'Ortino is definitely worth a visit. While we absolutely love the rustic, home-style dishes in many of the restaurants in town, and they are the ones that typically live in our hearts and memories, if you are looking for a more upscale, fine-dining experience, L'Ortino is the best we've found in the area.

The food is actually delicious, not merely pretentious. This is not a case of form over function like some others we've encountered. All five of our courses were good, and two were excellent, which, in our experience, is an unusually high percentage for a tasting menu. The rapa rossa is one of the most perfectly balanced restaurant dishes I've eaten in recent memory.

When we booked our reservation we made note that we were two plant-based diners. Unlike many restaurants, not only did they not ignore it or only look at it moments before we arrived, they planned for us. We were presented with a full vegan-friendly tasting menu that did not merely omit crucial ingredients to accommodate our dietary restrictions, but was thoughtfully and beautifully designed for us. Thank you, L'Ortino for your integrity and commitment to quality and excellence...and for valuing us as your guests, even though we were non-traditional diners. We wish you much success and look forward to visiting you again on our next visit to...