10 Best Restaurants And Cafes In Padua, Italy
Go to Padua, Italy and expect to gorge on pizza in scruffy student haunts, taste traditional Venetian dishes in ancient trattorias, and sip powerful coffee in street cafes. Here are the 10 best places to eat while you’re visiting.
Pizzeria Trattoria Piave
Pizzeria Trattoria Piave
This family-run trattoria is perched on the far side of the River Bacchiglione and owes its rustic atmosphere to the copper pots and old paintings on the walls. The padrona, or boss, is a lively old Italian woman who usually takes charge of the orders and has a lot to say. There is a wide choice of food from pizzas to pasta and steaks, but the delicious set menu is recommended. It never varies much, which is tiresome if you’re a regular customer but ideal on a one-off visit as the great taste is testament to the cook’s practiced hand. The menu usually consists of wine, a pasta dish such as tortellacci (squares stuffed with ricotta and spinach) or gramigna (short tubes of pasta with a sausage sauce) and a pudding of tiramisu. All the pasta is homemade and the perfect level of al dente.
Pizzeria Trattoria Piave, 24 Riviera Paleocopa, Padua, Italy, +39 498 719769
Al Duomo
Al Duomo
Most Paduans will tell you that this is where to find the best pizza in town, which is high praise considering the level of competition. It is simply decorated with white tiled walls and an arched roof. The pizza ranges from a simple margarita to one covered in spinach, beef carpaccio, mushrooms and mozzarella. It’s always busy and the atmosphere isn’t too cozy – staff might not have time to stand around for a chat but they will guarantee you a good pizza.
Al Duomo, 18 Via San Gregorio Barbarigo, Padua, Italy + 39 498 760434
Caffé Pedrocchi
Caffé Pedrocchi
Ernest Hemingway, Lord Byron and Stendhal are all said to have found inspiration within the walls of this 18th-century cafe. Founded by Francesco Pedrocchi of Bergamo in 1722 in response to the increasing coffee consumption of the European bourgeoisie, it has been a pillar of Paduan society for centuries. Famous for its neoclassical architecture and powerful coffees, it offers a drink known as caffé pedrocchi. This looks like a cappuccino but actually consists of cold mint froth on top of a strong espresso base; the combination of hot bitter coffee and cool mint will leave your taste buds tingling.
Caffe Pedrocchi, Via VIII Febbraio 15, 35122 Padua, Italy, +39 498 781231
Pani
Pizzeria, Restaurant, Italian
Shanghai
Restaurant, Chinese, Italian
Gelateria Artigianale da Bruno
Gelateria Artigianale da Bruno
If you’re still peckish after dinner and fancy a stroll and an ice cream, then look no further than this excellent gelateria. It has a huge collection of flavors, all visible under the glass counter. The vanilla – made with Madagascan vanilla sticks – is one of the best. The owner proudly displays a certificate from the “Gelato World Tour” stating that his gelateria was a finalist in a competition for the world’s best ice cream.
Gelateria Artiginale da Bruno, Via Monta 83, Padua, Italy, +39 49 890 0800
La Godenda
Bar, Wine Bar, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Fast Food
Zaramella
Zaramella
This place features in the Two Fork Michelin Guide and earns a notable reputation thanks to its history, attentive service and menu. Started in 1860, Zaramella has been serving Paduans for more than a century. It offers a range of traditional dishes based on meat and fish, such as pasta with swordfish and broccoli, pumpkin and prawn risotto, and veal.
Zaramella, Largo Europa 9, Padua, Italy, +39 498 760868
Bar Fuji
Bar, Italian, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
Osteria Dal Capo
Osteria Dal Capo
Avoid clattering bicyclists in a small back street to arrive at this local foodies’ favorite. Perch at a tiny table and be ready to make local friends over delicious novelty dishes such as eggplant caviar with buffalo mozzarella on crispy wafer bread.
Osteria Dal Capo, Via degli Obizzi 2, Padua, Italy, +39 496 63105
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
