"A 14th-century tower where Massimo Masselli has cooked wild-boar ragù since 1984 — the pappardelle is worth crossing the Arno for."
About Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco
Borgo San Iacopo is one of the oldest streets in Florence, running parallel to the Arno on the Oltrarno side, its medieval tower-houses still standing between later building. Massimo Masselli took over the ground floor of one of those towers in March 1984 and turned it into an osteria that reads like the neighbourhood's living room.
The cooking is traditional Tuscan with a leaning into wild game. For the wider city, the Florence dining guide maps every reviewed table by occasion.
The Kitchen
The signature is pappardelle al ragù di cinghiale — wide ribbons under a slow-cooked wild-boar ragù finished with herbs and a touch of red wine. Around it sit a celebrated truffle flan, roast suckling pig and the rest of a short, confident Tuscan carte. Portions are generous and the kitchen has had four decades to refine each plate.
It is hearty regional cooking rather than modern refinement. Diners who want a starred Oltrarno room should see Borgo San Jacopo.
The Room
There are two rooms: the original medieval tower with exposed stone walls, and a second built over the tower's old courtyard under vaulted seventeenth-century ceilings. Both are warm and low-lit, with traditional decor that gives the place a homey, lived-in feel a few steps from Ponte Vecchio. Reservations are strongly advised — it fills nightly.
Best for a First Date
The stone-walled tower and low light make Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco a quietly romantic first-date table, and its hearty Tuscan carte and generous portions suit a relaxed birthday dinner just off the Arno.
Not for
Not for vegetarians wary of a game-heavy menu, diners after modern or refined plating, or anyone hoping to walk in unannounced on a busy night.
Frequently Asked
Who runs Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco?
Massimo Masselli, an experienced restaurateur, took over the osteria in March 1984 and has run it since, cooking traditional Tuscan food with a focus on wild game.
What is the signature dish at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco?
Pappardelle al ragù di cinghiale — wide pasta ribbons in a slow-cooked wild-boar ragù — is the signature, alongside a celebrated truffle flan and roast suckling pig.
Where is Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco located?
It occupies the ground floor of a 14th-century tower at Borgo San Iacopo 43R, in Florence's Oltrarno, between Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita.
Is the building really medieval?
Yes. One dining room sits inside the original medieval tower with exposed stone walls; the second is built over the tower's old courtyard under 17th-century vaulted ceilings.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes — the tower rooms are small and fill most nights, so booking ahead is strongly advised.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco
Small tower rooms fill nightly — reserve ahead.
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Practical Information
AddressBorgo San Iacopo 43R, Oltrarno, Florence
NeighbourhoodOltrarno
CuisineTraditional Tuscan
PriceMains and pasta in the mid range
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingTwo medieval stone rooms
ReservationStrongly recommended
