The Top 10 Restaurants In Perugia Italy

Often called the “green heart” of Italy, Umbria is a rolling patchwork of olive groves, vineyards and valleys. Cuisine in this region is often hearty and simple, relying on local and fresh ingredients. Here are the top 10 restaurant in the region’s capital, Perugia.

L’officina

Before it was home to 450 wines and a dining room, L’officina was a workshop for repairing scales and balances in the late 1890s. Keeping with its history, the restaurant’s interior is now decorated with beautiful exposed wooden roof beams and visible metal pipework. The menu itself is also a masterpiece, with dishes like tripe with lemon marmalade and crispy bacon or tortelli pasta with cuttlefish, creamed cod, tomatoes and clams. “Thanks to the menu of the month, you are also able to try the best dishes paired with good wine,” says Andrea Stafisso, a Perugia native. L’officina also hosts cultural events, such as art exhibitions, poetry readings and culinary demonstrations, and has a list of upcoming events on their website.

Borgo xx Giugno, 56 Perugia, Italy; +39 075 56 21 699

Bottega del Vino

Restaurant, Wine, Beer, Pub Grub, Italian

A cozy and beautiful spot with an extensive wine list and delicious food, Bottega del Vino is a favorite among Perugia’s locals. Located next to the main square in town, this little restaurant overlooks Corso Vannucci, the most well-known street in Perugia. The perfect place for a glass (or bottle) of wine and some aperitifs, Bottega del Vino offers meat and cheese platters and small salads, or you can ask your server for the plates of the day.

Civico 25

Bar, Restaurant, Italian, Vegetarian, Wine, Beer

One of the most popular and stylish gastro-bars in Perugia, Civico 25 is a modern wine bar and cantina that provides guests with a warm, rustic atmosphere and friendly, personable service. It offers everything from small and delicious appetizers like quiche lorraine with broccoli and fontina cheese to Colfiorito red potato gnocchi with homemade pumpkin, truffle and parmesan sauce.

Il Ristorante del Sole

If you’re looking for the perfect place to taste typical Umbrian cuisine with a modern twist, Il Ristorante del Sole is the spot for you. Take the cable car up to the old city and enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the valley below. In addition to a lengthy seafood list, you can choose from a number of creative interpretations of traditional dishes, such as Gorgonzola stuffed potatoes with bacon or the scallops with leeks and pecorino cheese.

La Taverna

High up on the list of the best restaurants in Perugia, La Taverna consistently wins the praise of foodies, tourists and locals. While the dishes are based in Umbrian tradition, they are also masterful reinterpretations of those classics. Chef Claudio Brugalossi offers guests an extensive menu, with traditional dishes like pappardelle with an Umbrian meat sauce, Gragnano spaghetti with clams, rack of lamb with herbs, and delicious pork sausages. Be sure to finish the meal off with one of their homemade desserts. Pasta all’amatriciana | @Qasic/Fickr

Cesarino

Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, Vegetarian

Just off the main square in the heart of the city, Cesarino is a quintessential Italian restaurant with white linen tables and historic photos of Perugia hanging from the walls. Try the prosciutto de Norcia or the classic pasta all’amatriciana, and be sure to pair your meal with one of their many traditional Umbrian wines. Cesarino also offers outdoor seating.

La Stella

Traditional Umbrian dishes with simple, fresh ingredients are what make La Stella shine. Frequented by Perugia locals, this spot provides guests with a lively atmosphere and a nice selection of seasonal dishes – such as stringhetti pasta with a homemade ragu sauce or linguine with a roasted rabbit sauce. La Stella also uses natural and organic ingredients, and prides themselves on their homemade breads and their locally sourced food, which they obtain from nearby farms. Don’t forget to the end the night with one of their delicious desserts, like the panna cotta with stewed persimmons and crunchy hazelnuts.

Via dei Narcisi 47, Perugia, Italy; +39 075 692 0002

Antica Salumeria

A popular butchery with sandwiches, fried food and pizza near the Stadio Renato Curi, Antica Salumeria is the brainchild of Federico Biscarini and Roberto Cronicchia. Inspired by a family tradition of cooking quality traditional Umbrian dishes, the pair decided to put a modern twist on familiar plates and offer them at reasonable prices. Dishes change daily and everything is prepared and cooked fresh in front of the customers in minutes. Customers also have the option to purchase local products such as wines and cheeses here.

Via Firenze, 26, Horseshoe, Perugia, Italy; 39 075 500 8470

Osteria a Priori

Restaurant, Italian, Fast Food, Vegetarian

This charming two-floor restaurant stresses tradition in Umbrian cuisine and uses ingredients based solely in the area (lentils from Castelluccio, a rich selection of cold cuts from Valnerina and Monte Peglia, fresh homemade pasta from a local pasta shop… you get the picture). Osteria a Priori also offers more than 320 different Umbrian wines, as well as a variety of craft beers. Every season offers different dishes inspired by the availability of fresh ingredients.

Sandri

This Perugia institution has been serving deliciously brewed coffee and delicate chocolates and cakes since 1860. Its frescoed, elegant interior is the perfect setting to enjoy a post-dinner dessert to round out a meal. Whether it’s confectionaries, pastries, chocolates, cakes, or even a gelato from their ice cream shop, Sandri is sure to impress you with its traditional Umbrian sweets.

Corso Vannucci 32, Perugia, Italy; +39 075 572 4112

About the author

Julianna Roche

Julianna is a Boston-based multimedia journalist pursuing her master's in communication studies. She holds a bachelor's in journalism and Italian Studies, and has previously worked as associate editor at Cincy and NKY Magazine. Having lived in eight cities and two countries, as well as having grown up in an Italian home, she has a huge passion for exploring different cultures, learning other languages, and traveling. When she's not writing, she can probably be found running, cooking, or spending time outdoors and with her dog, Starbuck (who she adamantly notes is named after a character in Battlestar Galactica, not the coffee!).