Restaurants and a Famous Caffe in Padova
For specific dining and drinking options in Padova, I want to give full credit to Molly, a blogger and friend, author of a wonderful travel blog. Go check it out! She was living in Padova at the time we went to visit and gave me the most comprehensive and delicious recommendations.
I have included two of the restaurants she recommended and two bars. Unfortunately, we were not able to eat at Osteria Dei Fabbri, but I include the basic information in case you make it to Padova before I am able to return.
L’anfora
Address- Via Soncin, 13
Phone- +39 049 656629
Hours- Open every day for lunch and dinner, except closed on Sunday
Price- Middle Range
Reservations- By phone or email: osterialanfora@gmail.com
A sneaky shot of diners in Osteria L’Anfora
I loved the atmosphere in this restaurant. It had the feel of a cozy vintage cafe/ bookstore/ wine shop. The menu featured the freshest and most seasonal ingredients, and everything we tried was delicious. This restaurant had heaps of charm without any of the pretense that sometimes creeps in to restaurants with similar concepts. It is located in the lovely area of the former ghetto.
Recommended Dishes
Again, the menu is seasonal and changes quite frequently as I have understood. In fact, you can see in this picture that the menu is written out on a piece of butcher paper with the current date. Still, I will recommend some of the delicious dishes we tried.
Antipasti- Selection of salumi and formaggi (meats and cheeses)
Primo/Secondo- Burrata Pugliese, Zucca and pancetta (Burrata cheese from Puglia with pumpkin and thinly sliced bacon)
Secondo- Polpette bio al sugo con pure di patate (Meatballs (made from organic ingredients) with mashed potatoes
Osteria dei fabbri
Address- Via dei Fabbri, 13
Phone- +39 049 650336
Hours- Open every day for lunch and dinner, except Sunday, when it is only open for lunch
Price- Middle range
Reservations- By phone or email: info@osteriadeifabbri.it
This restaurant is also located in the vicinity of the former ghetto. The atmosphere looks similarly cozy, and on their website, the owners explain that they prioritize fresh ingredients from procured from the famous markets of Padova in the nearby piazze.
Caffe Pedrocchi
Address-Via VIII Febbraio, 15
Phone- +39 049 878 1231
The famous Caffè alla menta at Caffe Pedrocchi
Hours- 8.30 AM-10 PM every day
The green spritz and part of the elegant ‘sala rossa’ (red room) of Caffe Pedrocchi in the background
This large historic cafe was founded in 1831, and it is considered one of the symbols of the city. While in previous centuries it was rather exclusive, now it still maintains some of the elegance with waiters in formal attire and the grandeur of the 19th century decoration spread amongst five rooms. The design was carried out by the notable architect and engineer Giuseppe Jappelli. Famous patrons include Stendhal, Alfred De Musset, George Sand, and Gabriele d’Annunzio. Perhaps more intriguing to some guests are the unique beverages to imbibe. The first is Il Caffè alla menta (an espresso with fresh cream and mint syrup, topped with cacao). It is not served with a spoon on purpose and should be consumed as presented! Staying with the green theme, Pedrocchi also offers an ‘aperitivo green’, that is, a spritz with P31 instead of the traditional Aperol or Campari. P31 is a liqueur made from a combination of over 20 herbs, and the result is a refreshing taste, mixed with prosecco, and striking color.