SaQua by Il Frantoio

The story

SaQua by Il Frantoio, Montescudaio – Contemporary Tuscan Cuisine | Michelin Recommended

A hillside retreat in Montescudaio

Set among the rolling hills of Tuscany with a view of the sea, SaQua by Il Frantoio is a place designed for unhurried evenings. The atmosphere is relaxed yet refined – comfortable, elegant, and grounded in the landscape that surrounds it. Here, contemporary Tuscan cuisine takes centre stage, shaped by the seasons and the best available ingredients.

Chef Simone Acquarelli

Simone Acquarelli has cooking in his blood. After formative years in Michelin-starred kitchens – including Bracali and Arnolfo in Italy, and The Fat Duck in Bray – he returned to his roots. With his partner Sara Buti, who oversees the warm, attentive service, he created SaQua as a space for his own culinary vision. His food is direct and honest, driven by creativity and respect for raw materials. “Always the best quality,” he says, “Tuscan if possible, otherwise national or international.”

Seasonal Tuscan menus

The menu changes with the seasons and what is available. Expect fresh pasta, meats, local fish, and traditional Italian dishes. In winter, the flavours of game appear. Every plate is built around recognisable tastes, with technique and tradition woven together naturally. The wine cellar is carefully curated, with bottles selected one by one.

Michelin Recommended

SaQua by Il Frantoio earned a Michelin Recommended distinction in 2026, a recognition of its consistently excellent contemporary Tuscan cuisine and the thoughtful experience that Sara and Simone offer their guests. It is a restaurant that rewards a detour into the hills – a genuine taste of Tuscany today.