While Stanley Tucci is best known for his acting career, having earned himself two Golden Globes and six Emmys all within the past few years, he’s edged away from the Hollywood movie scene to make a name for himself in the food world. Being of Italian descent, Tucci has a passion for Italian cuisine, and got to combine that with his love of travel in his 2021 docuseries “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.” This year, you can find him on the big screen in his upcoming series “Tucci in Italy” premieres on National Geographic on May 18th. In it, he travels the country to explore the deep connections between food, culture and history, meeting with locals, farmers and restaurateurs to learn how each region’s unique history and rich traditions have shaped its people (and its pasta!)
We sat down with the actor to get the scoop on the new show and all his favorite things Italian travel and food. While he had some honorable mentions for locations in the country that stuck out to him—like Trentino-Alto Adige and Sardinia—he told Parade that there’s one city, in particular, that everyone should try to get to at least once.
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Stanley Tucci’s Must-Visit City in Italy
When we asked for his top recommendation, Tucci answered, “I think Florence, probably.” The Tuscan capital city is the birthplace of the Renaissance, which is what makes it so special, Tucci says. Florence is rich with art, history, culture and food. You’ll find incredible architecture on every charming street, from small alleys to major squares.
The Duomo of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands in the center of the city, acting as its heart. The Arno River runs through Florence, with several famous bridges connecting the sides of the city it separates. The Ponte Veccchio, in particular, is the oldest stone bridge in Europe and demonstrates the once common practice of building shops and houses into bridges—many of these “floating” stores are still open today. The world-renowned Uffizi Gallery houses some of the most famous works of art in the world, from artists such Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli. Perhaps the most sought after of tourists, though, is the Statue of David, which resides in the Galleria dell’Accademia.
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Stanley Tucci’s Restaurant Recommendations in Florence, Italy
When we asked what they eat in Florence, Tucci replied, “Everything.” Traditional Florentine cuisine focuses on regional, high-quality ingredients, like produce and meat. A few must-try dishes include Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a large T-bone-shaped steak composed of both the New York strip and filet mignon cuts; Ribollita, a traditional Tuscan soup made with bread and local vegetables; and Pappardelle al Cinghiale, a pasta dish topped with a slow-cooked wild boar ragu.
Tucci loves too many restaurants in Florence to count, but he says, “I do love the Chingale Bianco. And there’s also one called Dalla Lola, which is great.” These are sure to give you the best tastes of Tuscan food (and wine!). And, of course, any meal in Florence is best finished with a scoop or two of gelato from one of the many gelaterias that dot the streets.
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