Best places to eat and drink in Vicenza

If you're anything like me, you'll agree that you can't fully experience living in a new city or visiting a foreign country until you sample the food. And you certainly haven't lived in Vicenza until you've tasted some bigoli all'anatra or baccala alla vicentina. Food gives us an eye into a culture, we pass recipes from generation to generation and it becomes an expression of our group identity. In Italy, it's the light, sweet breakfasts eaten en route to work, the seasonal produce available at your local market. It's the cafe culture that permits one to only have a cappuccio before the hour of noon, that is, unless you want to receive a disdainful scorn from the nonna on the table next to you. There's nothing quite like Italian cooking and there are definitely numerous places in Vicenza to find some cucina tipica. With that in mind, let's explore some of the best places to eat and drink in the Vicenza area...

Street food- Bigoi

yummy bigoli alla norma

If you're looking for some fast food all'italiano, this is it. Fresh egg pasta noodles ready to be flash heated in some boiling water and topped with one of twelve delicious sauces. Choose from the local baccala (smoked codfish) or Anatra (duck), or stick to something more traditional with a simple bolognese or pomodoro sauce. The ingredients are fresh and healthy and with prices ranging from 5-7 euros it makes for a great lunch on the go.

Pizza- Da Pino

In true Italian style, the ingredients are made fresh every day. The large menu contains everything from roasted mediterranean vegetables, deli sliced cold cuts and local cheeses. It's truly Italian pizza at it's finest and for only 3 euros extra you can even opt for home delivery! If you're visiting in a group, you can order one meter of pizza with four different topping variations to share. It's the perfect spot for a get together with friends.

Spritz- Cucu

Think modern, elegant and chic with yummy aperitivo snacks and fabulous cocktails. The downstairs cave area is a stylish, romantic space perfect for a date night or a party if you choose to book out the area! The cocktails are well priced and come with a side of olives and crackers to nibble on while you people watch in piazza delle Erbe

Risotto- Antica Trattoria Moreieta

This restaurant is a MUST if you ever find yourself in Vicenza. Nestled in the Colli Berici above Lago di Fimon, the al fresco dining area, which opens in the summer, has stunning views of the sunset over the vine covered hills. The outstanding food is the real selling point here though. Almost all of the dishes on the menu contain locally sourced truffle for a very reasonable price. The generous portion of mouthwatering risotto costs only 12 euros. With a large wine menu, stunning views and truly the best risotto I have ever tasted, this trattoria is not one to miss.

Bar/restaurant- Julien

Julien strikes the perfect balance between a bar and a high quality restaurant. The outdoor seating area gives the impression that this place is more of a cocktail bar than a restaurant but don't let this fool you. Inside you will find some of the best food in the downtown area. The menu is large and changes regularly depending on the season, pointing to the freshness of the food. The staff is so kind and welcoming. In fact, we go so regularly they already know our order before we walk through the door and we find our drinks placed on the table without even having to ask! The bar/ restaurant combination makes Julien the perfect spot for date night on a Friday.

Take out food- Il Ceppo

Il Ceppo is the perfect place for those who don't feel like cooking but still want great food. Inside you will find a refrigerator full of freshly cooked food waiting to be taken home and heated up in the oven. Each day, you will find fresh joints of meat and a variety of side dishes, as well as pasta and some salads. The quality of the food is exceptionally high, in fact you will find some of the best baccala in Vicenza. For those looking for more of a restaurant feel, the kitchen opens for lunch serving a range of local delicacies. You can take a seat downstairs and sample some of the incredible wines and fantastic offerings of this local kitchen.