Butterfly

The story

Butterfly - Michelin-Starred Cuisine of Memory in Lucca, Italy

A Tribute to Puccini

Butterfly opened in December 1997 in Marlia, a short drive from Lucca. Mariella and Fabrizio Girasoli named the restaurant after Giacomo Puccini's most famous opera, a homage to the composer who lived and worked in the region. The restaurant occupies a lovingly renovated farmhouse, its interior an elegant winter garden decorated in Tuscan style, opening onto a park where guests dine al fresco in warm weather.

Chef Fabrizio Girasoli

Fabrizio Girasoli is not a chef who followed a conventional path. Self-taught, he learned through courses, stages, travel, and tasting. His cooking reflects a deep love for music, the local territory, and beauty. He describes his approach as "cucina della memoria" – a cuisine of memory that reawakens past flavors through traditional recipes given a contemporary, creative twist. Since 2008, his work has been recognized with a Michelin star, awarded for the informal yet attentive service, the creativity of the kitchen, and the beauty of the setting.

Family at the Heart

The restaurant remains a family affair. Fabrizio works in the kitchen alongside his son Andrea, who recreates dishes of memory using local ingredients. Mariella Girasoli welcomes guests in the dining room. The atmosphere is refined but familial, with a semi-formal dress code and a policy that welcomes well-behaved dogs.

The Menu

Butterfly's menu is creative and deeply rooted in the territory. Ancient flavors are reinterpreted in surprising textures and forms, using seasonal, authentic ingredients. The kitchen offers tasting menus that evolve freely, including vegetarian and vegan options, all built on the same imaginative foundations as the main menu. Whether a classic Lucchese dish reimagined or an international inspiration, each plate aims to return to the origins of taste while looking forward.

A Michelin-Starred Experience

The Michelin star, held continuously since 2008, underscores the consistency and quality of Butterfly's offering. It is a star earned not by formality but by genuine warmth, careful sourcing, and a kitchen that balances tradition with invention. Guests come from around the world, drawn by word of mouth and the restaurant's reputation for delivering an experience that is both personal and precise.