Pisa is a fantastic day trip if you are visiting either Rome or Florence, as it is easily accessible by train. Whilst many people visit for just a few hours, I recommend staying for a full day to really experience the city.
I recently spent 24 hours in Pisa, as a day trip from Florence, to explore the local vegan offering and see the sights. I stayed at a lovely hotel situated on the Piazza del Duomo, with views of the leaning tower of Pisa from some of the hotel rooms, which made it easy to hop between landmarks and restaurants. Book a room at Prato dei Miracoli Residenza d’Epoca here 
During my visit, there was only one fully vegan restaurant in Pisa, and it was the absolute highlight of my trip. You can find more details on that under the lunch section, along with some other great vegan-friendly spots I discovered (for breakfast, dinner, and a snack).
This guide will show you how to make the most of your time whilst ensuring you eat well along the way. If you are also visiting Florence during your trip, make sure to check out my guide to the best vegan food in Florence here.
Breakfast
- Where: Filter Coffee Lab
- Socials: @filtercoffeelab
- Location: Via Santa Maria, 30, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
- Diet: Vegan options
I started my morning at Filter Coffee Lab, which is a vibrant and modern spot that feels very welcoming. It has a great selection of vegan options that go beyond the standard plain vegan croissant.
When I visited, they had a range of vegan pastries (including a raspberry croissant) and cakes, alongside some hot savoury dishes (like bagels with tofu cream cheese and avocado on toast). It was refreshing to see such a variety, especially since they also offer a good range of alternative milks, including my favourite, Oatly.
The atmosphere is lovely and relaxed, making it a great place to sit and plan your day. You can also perch on the window seats if you need to catch up on some work for a few hours whilst you enjoy your coffee.
What to do after breakfast?
Once you have had your fill of coffee, it is only a short walk towards the Piazza dei Duomo. I suggest heading there early to see the Leaning Tower and the Duomo before the largest crowds start to arrive.
The walk through the city streets at this time of morning is much quieter and gives you a better feel for the local life. It is the perfect time to take some photos of the architecture whilst the light is still soft.
Lunch
- Where: Vegan Come Koala
- Location: Via l’Arancio, 21, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
- Diet: 100% vegan
For lunch, I headed to Vegan Come Koala, which was the only fully vegan restaurant in Pisa at the time of my visit. It is a charming deli-style spot run by a friendly local man who is incredibly helpful when you are trying to decide what to order.
The setting is quite intimate, with a few seats to perch on both inside and outside the shop. It feels very authentic and is the perfect place to grab a high-quality meal without a formal sit-down service.
There are a variety of things on offer each day, including fake meats wrapped in different types of bread with a choice of sauces. I went with a kebab-style vegan meat with mayo and vegetables, wrapped up in a heated focaccia bread.
I found the food here to be a real highlight of my trip, as the flavours were fresh and everything was clearly made with care. It is an essential stop for any vegan visiting the city, even if you are only there for a few hours.
What to do after lunch?
After a filling meal, I recommend spending some time wandering through the ancient streets that branch off from the main tourist paths. It is a great way to walk off your lunch whilst discovering the quieter, more residential side of Pisa.
You might want to head towards the Piazza dei Cavalieri, which is the second most famous square in the city. It is often much less crowded than the area around the tower and features some stunning Renaissance architecture.
Whilst you are exploring, keep an eye out for the local street art, including the famous Tuttomondo mural by Keith Haring. It is located near the station and is a striking contrast to the older monuments you will have seen earlier in the day.
Dinner
- Where: Yaimai Thai Restaurant
- Location: Via Santa Maria, 20, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
- Diet: Vegan options
After eating plenty of vegan pizza in Florence, I was looking for a bit of variety for my evening meal in Pisa. I decided to try Yaimai Thai Restaurant, which is a local spot with a great range of plant-based offerings.
They have several dishes that are already vegan, along with some vegetarian options that can be modified. I tried the Pad Thai and asked for it to be made without egg, although they did, unfortunately, forget to cook mine without the egg, so they had to make it again.
If you are visiting, I recommend being very clear about your requirements or sticking to the dishes that are already vegan to be safe. Despite that small slip, the food was very tasty, and the staff were incredibly friendly throughout my visit.
What to do after dinner?
To finish the night, I headed out for a spritz in the local streets. Pisa is a university city, so there is always a great energy in the evenings, especially around the smaller squares away from the main tourist area.
I found that grabbing a drink at a small table outside is the best way to soak up the atmosphere. It is a very laid-back experience and a great chance to reflect on the day whilst people-watching.
Snack
- Where: Gelateria Artigianale Rufus
- Socials: @gelateria_rufus
- Location: Via Santa Maria, 113, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
- Diet: Vegan options
After dinner, I stopped at Gelateria Artigianale Rufus, which is located conveniently close to the Leaning Tower. I was incredibly impressed by the sheer number of vegan options they had available, which is far more than I have seen in most gelaterias across Italy.
Whilst most places stick to basic fruit flavours, Rufus offers a wide variety of creamy plant-based choices. I opted for a scoop of the dark chocolate and a scoop of the peanut, which was a great pairing choice by myself.
The texture was perfectly smooth and rich, and was in fact one of the best gelato experiences of my trip!
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