Excellent gelato can be found just off the Campo at two gelaterias called “Il Gelato” and “Brivido”. Ask for Romaney at “Il Gelato”

For something more substantial, “La Chiacchiera” next to the House of St Catherine is an excellent source of typical Tuscan cuisine; the pici (thick, homemade noodles) are superb.

Restaurant off the beaten path, with owners who serve you personally; the waitress speaks fluently English (very rare in Italy) and knows how to recommend you wine, as she is also a wine tour guide. Is a pleasant walk downhill shortly outside the gates of the city, allowing you to look up at the top of the Duomo.

Nannini, Banchi di Sopra, A bakery/cafe with an excellent selection of Tuscan pastries: Ricciarelli, Cavalucci, Cantucci, Panforte, etc. The ingredients of same are prominently displayed in most cases, making Nannini a very attractive option to the travelling vegan.

Sienese specialties include: Panforte – a unique kind of dense cake, made of honey, flour, almonds, candied fruits, a secret blend of spices, etc. Tipo Margherita is not the classic; it is a 19th century variation with less spice and more sugar; several other types are made. Panforte is commercially manufactured only in Siena and neighboring Monteriggioni, its loyal ally in medieval wars with Florence. The most famous brand of panforte is Sapori. You can buy panforte most cheaply in local supermarkets, but don’t miss a trip to Nannini on Banchi di Sopra (see above), a pleasant caffé where you can buy not only their panforte by weight but also many other types of unusual pastries and so forth. Ricciarelli – small almond paste cakes. The ones at Antica Drogheria Manganelli on Via di Citta 31 in particular are deliciously smooth and will melt in your mouth.