These restaurants have very reasonable fixed price lunch menus and are, therefore, popular with groups of labourers (amongst others).
Il Giardinetto (in the village)
This restaurant and pizzeria has a lovely shady garden and serves good local dishes at a very reasonable price. It has a fized price pranzo di lavoro at lunch time (€13). It is very popular with the locals. Don’t bother with the mixed salad.
Casina delle Rose (by the aqueduct 10km)
One of our favourite spots for a quick lunch. The food is more OK than great, but the price is very affordable. It’s a popular destination for labourers, there is always a busy atmosphere and its car park is usually full of vans. The set menu is €13 including bread, wine, water, primi, secondi, contorni and coffee.
Fenella’s favourite dish there is pollo al mattone which is literally brick chicken. A wrapped brick is placed on top of the chicken to force it down onto the griddle resulting in nice crispy skin. This is popular and can run out. Best to arive at noon to avoid disappointment.
To get there by car, get onto Via Sorbano del Giudice and take this narrow signposted turning to the left just past the acqueduct. Drive up the track and park where all the vans are. There are other signs around, but this is the only way to get there by car.
La Vecchia Posta (Lucca outside the walls)
Workman’s lunch. Not as busy as Cascina della Rose and a little more expensive. The food is somewhat better and lots of fish dishes.
Trattoria La Pergola (Lucca outside the walls)
A great lunch spot with a covered area featuring a barbecue amongst the tables. Good value for money. Almost everyone orders from the barbecue. Booking recommended if you want to sit in the barbecue area. Not so good for vegetarians.
Il Rustichetto (Capannori)
Always stacks of vehicles parked outside on a weekday lunchtime. The menu is €13 and the food is reasonably good.