Anyone who has spent time in Italy will have an appreciation of the quality of seasonal fruit and vegetables. We are truly blessed.

That said, it can still be difficult when travelling to find enough of this amazing produce in restaurants, particularly on the well beaten tourist trail where iconic Italian dishes rule. Once you’ve had your first few sittings with a plate of incredible pasta, cold cuts or protein rich secondi, even those who are not vegetarians can find themselves craving a plant based meal.  Contorni are a good way to begin, it’s often possible to find a selection of delicious pulses and vegetables by turning to the back of the menu (which would typically be an accompaniment to your main course). You can put this together with an antipasto or two and you can strike the plant based balance.

There are however an increasing number of dedicated vegetarian and vegan restaurants coming to the fore and some of these should be a destination in their own right. Here are just a few that merit your attention and should be on your bucket list for your next trip.

Precision, regenerative agriculture, ferments and fresh, seasonal produce are at the heart of Osteria Ancestrale, run by the inspired couple Fabrizio Bartoli and his partner Martina who take the very greatest care to deliver excellence in flavour, presentation and service. If you plan to spend any time on the Tuscan coast, this is very much worth a detour.

Sitting out in the main square of the small town Trequanda is a treat in itself, but when you receive a thought through vegan menu, it’s really both a surprise and delight. This is worth a visit if you are in the Val d’Orcia.

With a michelin star and a green sustainability star, Joia has to be included in the line up.  It was the first vegetarian restaurant in Europe to receive a star in 1996 and each dish is the result of extensive experimentation that you can truly perceive. The creativity is all thanks to the imagination of chef (and owner) Pietro Lehmann who takes you on a culinary journey.