What a wonderful bakery. During our visit to Lucca, our tour guide said this is the best place for…read morebaked goods. She did not steer us wrong. As you step in, you catch the aromas of baked breads, cookies, and pastries. There is a line, and you just have to be patient and wait for your turn. Once it's your turn, you must resist ordering everything in the store. They also can put together a gift basket for you to gift someone. We ordered two items, and they were exceptional. Both of us have a deep love for Italian baked goods. Coming to Italy, we were fortunate enough to sample these scrumptious delights. When in Lucca, this is a must-stop to satiate your heart's desire for Italian baked goods. The ambiance is beautiful as it transports you to the old-time feeling, and their service is quick and very efficient.

Traditional raisin bread with a hint of anise. Sold as a baton or a ring…read more It's got a good crumb and chew. I joked about being able to make it at home but the clerk wasn't impressed. The flour, the yeast, the salt, and the water are different so good luck!

What an absolute treat! From cookies to gelato, and featuring a variety of coffee options,…read morePasticceria Giovannini is worth the stop. The cookies are all crumble in your mouth fresh, with an attention to quality that is immediately apparent. Each offering has a unique style and flavor, and everything is very reasonably priced. The staff is super friendly, especially if you're making an effort to communicate in Italian. And as you'd expect, this cafe has a neighborhood, local feel. It's stylish and lively, but not overwhelming. One of our favorite spots in Montecatini.

Words don't do this place justice! Amazing pasticceria!!! Friendly staff, super affordable, amazing…read moreespresso and the desserts are out of this world. My mother and I were on vacation in Montecatini at a hotel that was a 1 minute walk away (dangerous). Our morning routine was to get a cappuccino and un caffe. The espresso was strong and full of flavor. Most days we came back later in the day and tried other varieties - all great. Now about the desserts....nothing like I've ever tasted in America! Everything was so clean, had unique tastes with a perfect amount of sweetness - just mouthwatering. The prices were super low too. One visit we got 5 pastries for 8 euros. Giovannini makes me want to vacation there again ASAP!!

This chocolate shop is beyond fabulous. The chocolate makers are true artists. You will find all…read morethings chocolate here and all beautifully created. Everything we tried was so beautiful to behold you almost didn't want to eat it. But once you bite into anything here, you swoon. There is candy, pastries, cake, cookies all made with exquisite care and the best ingredients. This is a wonderful place to pick up a few gifts to bring back home. I don't know too many people who wouldn't feel like they've died and gone to heaven after sampling some of the chocolates made here. I was so taken with the chocolate in the shape of attrezzi (tools) and nuts and bolts....so cool! Even the coloration of the chocolate was made on some pieces, to suggest a hint of rust. The owners of the shop are helpful and kind. This is a beautiful, old-world chocolate shop with delicious and gorgeous products. The shop itself is in an ancient building within the walled city of Lucca. Everything about it, like all of the walled city of Lucca is just dreamy. Go!

Some very good chocolate. There were these circle chocolate topped with nuts that I saw the…read moreprevious customers bought, so I decided to give them a try as well. They were quite good. Might have been peanuts...not sure. Chocolate with raisins were well balanced. Would definitely stop by again when we're in town!

couldn't have asked for a better pastry shop. Great selection of morning pastries but it's the…read moredesserts that are to die for. All pastries are so fresh and they will pack them with paper and ribbon for to go. I loved their rum brioche, and every chocolate or cream filled pastries for breakfast and desserts. It's busy all day long and if you can get a table across the street, it's your lucky day

This little bakery in the heart of Lucca was very busy and popular with locals. We stopped by in…read moresearch of a quick breakfast and were almost overwhelmed by all the choices. We chose a mini lemon fruit tart, croissant, palmier, and some kind of cream-filled choux. The croissant was our favorite with perfect buttery layers. Nothing else stood out in particular, but everything was fresh and well-made. Prices were reasonable. There's no seating in the bakery, which is to be expected in Italy, but there is outdoor seating a short walk across the street. On a nice day, it's really quite lovely sitting outside and people-watching while you enjoy your pastries.

Walk past any bakery in Lucca and youre bound to see foccacia in their shop, but this is the place…read moreto go for the straight up, no toppings needed foccacia. My family picked up a fair amount of plain foccacia to make our own antipasti and foccacia+moz+pesto for appertivos at our airbnb... but it was so good for nibbles, only one small piece lasted until antipasti time. The dolce foccacia also caught my eye and man oh man do I wish I got more/could find something so simple yet indulgent close to home. Guess I need to re-visit Lucca sooner rather than later. Also helped that the people working behind the counter were helpful and friendly.

(4/4/2014) Great little place for a good, quick, portable snack to go while traipsing around the…read moretiny alley streets of medieval Lucca. Got a 4" x 6" inch (sorry, American, I have poor metric skills) square of Olive Focaccia. It was very chewy, sparkling with coarse sea salt, glowing with baked in olive oil; was 1,15 euro, seemed worth it to me. This place is just off Piazza San Michele, essentially the town center. Spot is quaint, staff are friendly and thankfully not condescending to tourists. Prices seemed reasonable.

Heard great things about this restaurant. Hotel suggested it. Saturday evening, solo, traveling…read moreon business. Deliberately arrived early, 8 pm, only 2 out of 40+ tables had guests. Asked the head waiter, dinner for one please. He was nice about it but shook his head, noooo, we have no tables available?!!! Not until 10 pm. All tables were empty, it was 8 pm. After dinner elsewhere (thank you great Ciccia Lische), i returned with Italian translation saying "As an executive of a famous company, traveling solo on business, it's a pity to not feel welcome. One small table, probably before any of your reservations arrived. Keep this in mind should you have another female executive wanting to dine in the future." he told me the text was spanish, not italian ?! and offered his mobile. No thank you.

By far the hidden gem in all of Italy. Pietrasanta is blessed to have a restaurant with combination…read moreof great service, food, and atmosphere. A definite place to visit in morning for breakfast, for lunch, and evening for dinner. Everything on the menu is worth trying. Absolute must stop!

From the owner: Pasticceria, caffetteria, hamburgerread more