A journey through the flavors of Veronese tradition to accompany the biggest event dedicated to wine. Lots of addresses -not only in the city center- where to taste local dishes.
Cover: Osteria Da Ugo, credits Vanni Sartori
This is it: that time of the year has arrived. In just a few days, from Sunday, April 6 to Wednesday, April 9, the city of Verona will be engulfed in the vortex of Vinitaly, which, in addition to being Italy's top kermesse as far as the wine world is concerned, is also the most important event, on a strategic level, for the city of Verona, with a considerable induced revenue coming precisely from the hospitality guaranteed to industry operators in the city and neighboring municipalities. But what happens once the turnstiles of Vinitaly close, to reopen the following morning? What happens is that operators from 140 nations and some 30,000 international buyers will flock to the streets of downtown and the hills of Verona to dine. So, given the turnout, it is essential to know where you will want to eat, what and, above all, make reservations. So here we are suggesting a few typical establishments where you can enjoy Veronese cuisine, so that your stay can also be a good opportunity to discover local traditions and delicacies.
Veronese cuisine: origins, history and typical dishes
If Verona were a dish, it would be risotto all'Amarone: elegant, profound, inextricably linked to the territory. But Veronese cuisine is much more than that; it is a tribute to a layered cultural heritage, where the influence of Venetian and Austrian domination and peasant traditions come together in memorable dishes. Since the Middle Ages, this land has developed a cuisine that is poor but extremely rich in flavor, based on local products: corn, rice, vegetables, meats and an incredible variety of cured meats. Among the most iconic dishes how can we not mention boiled meat with pearà, a sauce made from breadcrumbs, marrow and black pepper, created according to legend to restore Queen Rosmunda's vigor.
Equally iconic is risotto al tastasal, prepared with fresh salami paste, once used to “taste” the savoriness of the salami mixture. Pastissada de caval, a stew of horse meat marinated in wine with spices and vegetables, has its origins in Lombard times, when there was a need to recover horse meat after battles. Completing the gastronomic panorama are rice and bisi, a spring risotto with peas, and polenta, a versatile ingredient that accompanies many local dishes.
The best restaurants to enjoy true Veronese cuisine in the city
Trattoria Pane e Vino
We are in the historic center and we are in a gastronomic salon where hospitality blends with culinary excellence. There's cotechino with pearà, bigoli with courtyard ragu, gnocchi stuffed with Monte Veronese with butter and black truffle, and baccalà alla veneta. The carefully selected wine list chronicles the region's most prestigious terroirs, offering diners a journey through the best labels. For a bite-sized break, the cicchetti are also excellent.
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 16/A
Osteria A Le Petarine
Entering this osteria is like stepping back in time. The walls tell family stories, while the dishes keep the spirit of old Veronese trattorias intact. A large sign inside the restaurant reads “A Le Petarine quel che ghè,...ghè.” But what comes out of the kitchen is a typical representation of Verona's recipes. The risotto all'amarone here is a must-try.
Via S. Mamaso, 6°
Osteria Da Ugo
A short walk from Juliet's House, Osteria Da Ugo stands out for its artisanal cuisine and use of seasonal products. Here the footprint is a bit more international, but the proposal remains valid. Duck breast in saor, baccalà mantecato, walnut pan brace with spicy Green Cheese and truffle honey, bring together native and non-native palates. The leg of goose with white Recioto and pears cooked in Valpolicella are worth tasting.
Vicolo Dietro Sant'Andrea, 1/b
Da Morandin
Rustic, straightforward, no-frills. A place that tastes like home and family Sundays. And in fact it has been run by the same family for generations. Among the specialties, meat dishes and homemade pastas stand out, such as bigoli col musso, those with sardines, pasta and fasoi. What goes on stage is the tale of a peasant cuisine that knows no time.
Via Venti Settembre, 144
Osteria Il Bertoldo
In the heart of the city, Il Bertoldo offers fine dining with dishes featuring the freshest fish and selected meats, accompanied by a careful selection of Italian and international wines. For those who still want to stick to Veronese classics, the risotto all'Amarone and bolliti misti con la pearà are impeccably made. The intimate atmosphere and punctual, precise service make it one of the best choices for those seeking a high-level food and wine experience.
Vicolo Cadrega, 2nd
Osteria Trattoria Al Duomo
Located in the picturesque setting near the Duomo, this trattoria offers more than a meal: it gives an experience. The skillfully cooked barbecued meats and fresh pastas prepared strictly in the house tell of a culinary tradition that is constantly being renewed, keeping intact the aromas and flavors of yesteryear. Unmissable macaroni with tastasal and mascarpone, polenta with soppressa or bigoli with donkey ragu. The flavors are those of a Verona that is not in a hurry, that allows itself to be savored calmly.
Via Duomo, 7
Trattoria Al Pompiere
Renowned for its wide selection of local cured meats and cheeses, this historic restaurant is the ideal place for those who want to enjoy authentic flavors. Attention to seasonality and quality ingredients make it one of the most popular destinations for lovers of good food. The veal tongue with boiled cotechini, pearà and mostarda, as well as the tagliolini in double restricted broth and chicken livers or the frittata of Grisa hen eggs, broccolo Fiolaro and ricotta are examples. Aesthetically, the many paintings hanging on the walls and the salumi hanging from the ceiling also make it an appealing sign from the point of view of that sense of belonging that one goes for in authentic restaurants.
Vicolo Regina D'Ungheria, 5
Osteria Il Ciottolo
Near Scaliger Castle, Osteria Il Ciottolo boasts a name reminiscent of the cobblestones of ancient streets, a place that honors tradition without mannerisms. Here the menu is a catalog of iconic dishes: bigoli con le sardelle, risotto all'Amarone, bigoli con pastisada de caval, stracotto de musso (donkey), as well as rabbit stew and horse tartare. All in a dynamic, colorful and modern setting.
Corso Cavour, 39c
La Vecia Mescola
A restaurant that reinterprets tradition with creativity, while maintaining a strong link to typical flavors. The menu varies seasonally, offering dishes that enhance local ingredients. A perfect mix of innovation and respect for traditional Veronese cuisine. What to order from the menu? Gnocchi with pastisada de caval, braised beef with Amarone and the ever-present tiramisu.
Outside the city: where to savor the essence of Verona
Al Callianino in Pergola
Nestled in the hills of Valpolicella, this restaurant is an ode to the land of Verona. A bit fresher and younger in aesthetics, it offers authentically Veronese cuisine, but with a few contemporary twists. Among the signature dishes, don't miss the Neanderthal joke and the dumplings between Lessinia and Hong Kong, which may sound oriental, but have a special filling made from the local Grisa hen.
Via Adige, 46, 37030 Pergola VR
Antica Osteria Paverno in Marano di Valpolicella
Excellently made cold cuts and cheeses, pike and polenta, ravioli with Lessinia pear misso presidio Slow Food and rose cake. This osteria represents the purity of country cooking. The homemade pasta and barbecued meats are a tribute to simplicity, a return to the origins of taste. Plus, you eat among the rows of Valpolicella.
Via Paverno, 9, 37020 Marano di Valpolicella VR
Osteria Numero Uno in Fumane
A must on Valpolicella food and wine tours, this is a true restaurant with an intimate, cozy and timeless atmosphere. Excellent wine list for those still in the mood for post-event drinks, with dishes such as chicken salad in saor, Valpolicella dumplings or, as a vegetarian option, Lessinia caciotta cheese accompanied by grilled vegetables.
Via Flaminio Pellegrini, 2, 37022 Fumane VR
Trattoria Dai Tomasi in Vago
An osteria where every dish is a familiar tale. The atmosphere here is of a classic, curated sign, those places that hand down their unchanging charm over time. What to eat. The flavors are more Mediterranean, since there is a lot of maritime offerings, but always with a certain sensitivity to the Veneto region. Definitely try polenta with Veneto schie (shrimp), pasta and borlotti beans from Lamon, or veal liver Veneto style.
Via Monti Lessini, 20, 37030 Vago VR
