Food & Dining

Where can I get groceries in Cortona?


Cortona does not have a large grocery store within the city walls, but there's a good variety of specialty shops (i.e., grocer, butcher, baker, fruit & vegetable stand). 


The greatest selection of food and household items can be found at La Bottega on Via Dardano, which is a small grocery store.  


For a larger, single-stop grocery shopping trip (such as at the beginning of the Feast), you will need catch the local shuttle or drive down the hill to Camucia.

Using the Public Shuttle to Get Groceries in Camucia


A small bus runs between Piazza Garibaldi in Cortona and the Camucia-Cortona train station about every 30 minutes from 7:30AM to 9PM on Monday through Saturday.  Not available on Sundays or holidays.


Tickets can be purchased from the Camucia train station’s coffee shop or a local tabacchi stand for 1€, or from the bus driver when you board for 1.50€ in cash.  The trip takes 10 - 15 minutes.


The shuttle between Piazza Garibaldi in Cortona and the Camucia-Cortona train station can stop at the Conad grocery store at Via Gramsci.  It's a 10-minute ride. 


Be sure to tell the driver you wish to stop at the Conad on Via Gramsci when you get on the shuttle.  Otherwise, they will not stop at that location.


Say or hand them a note that says, “Vado al supermercato Conad. Per favore ferma li. Grazie!” (I'm going to the Conad supermarket. Please stop there. Thank you!)

Are there things we should know before going grocery shopping in Italy?

Grocery shopping in Italy does vary a bit from the United States so here are a few tips:

How do I find a good restaurant in Italy?

For dining in Cortona, here is a website that has a description and price estimate for many of the town’s restaurants: https://www.cortonamia.com/en/eating-in-cortona/

The following advice doesn't really apply to Cortona (nearly every restaurant there is great), but it definitely does apply to the big cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. Italy is truly a foodie's paradise, but in many of these touristy areas the food can be truly bad, and it's rather disheartening to waste a meal eating bad food in a place with so much amazing food! :)

To find a great restaurant, it's helpful to look up reviews in advance on Google and/or Trip Advisor.

Anything below 4 stars we typically avoid. We tend to look for restaurants with 4.5 stars or better. Sounds too easy, but, frankly, it works just as well as it does here in the States.

That said, sometimes you're hungry, out and about, and don't have time or an internet connection to lookup reviews. In those situations, we follow a few guidelines:

How much should I budget for meals in Cortona?

At a mid range restaurant, you'll probably pay around 50EUR/person for a multi-course dinner with wine. There are also fine dining options for multiple courses that will run around 75EUR/person, and less expensive pizzerias and sandwich/salad shops where you can easily eat for under 15EUR/person.

Other than very touristy areas, wine in Italian restaurants is not marked up like it is here in the states. It's often the same price in the restaurants as it would be at the enoteca (Italian wine shop). The most economical option is ordering the house wine, which will run from around 9-15EUR/liter at a mid-range restaurant, to 20-30EUR/bottle in a nicer restaurant.

Cortona has a tourism portal that has a description and price estimate for many of the town’s restaurants: https://www.cortonamia.com/en/eating-in-cortona/

Are there gluten-free restaurant options in Cortona?

Gluten intolerance is not uncommon in Italy and there are many "senza glutine" (Italian for "gluten free") options for those who need alternatives. Be sure to alert the staff at any restaurant about your dietary needs before ordering. They are generally very accommodating and will do everything they can to help you find something appropriate. If you are making reservations in advance, let them know of your gluten-intolerance - they may make some special gluten-free options for you.  We have dietary restriction and allergy cards you can print out and provide to the restaurant. 

It's good to note that many gluten intolerant people have found that the gluten in Italy does not effect them in the same way as it does in the States and they are able to consume it with little to no problems. This may be attributed to the different strains and ancient grains that are used in Italy.

Where can I find gluten-free groceries?

There is a central pharmacy in Cortona that has a great selection of gluten free pasta, bread, cookies, desserts, snacks, and more.

In the near-by town of Camucia, there are grocery stores that carry a large variety of gluten free products, but you'll either need a car to drive there (about 7 minutes from Cortona), or you'll need to take the public shuttle from Piazza Garibaldi.

Is it easy to find clean meats in restaurants?

Cortona has a wide variety of clean meats for us to enjoy. The region is known for its grass-fed Chianina beef (from the valley below Cortona), lamb, poultry, and wild game. 

When you sit down at a restaurant, be sure to let them know about your dietary requirements right away so they don't bring out a complimentary appetizer containing ingredients you can't eat.

What are the local markets like and are there any fresh markets?

There are several specialty stores in Cortona for getting groceries. There is one small general grocery store (La Bottega di Dardano). There are two fruit and vegetable stands that sell fresh produce daily. There are two butcher shops, multiple bakeries, pastry shops, a fresh pasta shop, gelaterias, and several wine shops.

Every week on Thursday there is a large open-air market that spans several blocks in Camucia, which is in the town at the base of the hill Cortona is perched on. You can get there in 10 minutes via public shuttle (pick-up and drop-off in Piazza Garibaldi). At this market you can find all sorts of fresh food, along with many other things.  Cortona also has a weekly open-air market, but it is unfortunately on the Sabbath.

Is it recommended to make dinner reservations in Florence, or is it possible to find dinner without reservations?

It's possible to make dinner reservations when you're there, but we'd recommend making them in advance. It'll give you a much better chance of getting into a place you like, and give you more time to eat before you need to leave for the coaches.

Answer last updated 6/8/2024