Bergamo Restaurant Tips by suvanki Top 5 Page for this destination

Antica Trattoria - Osterio ai Tre Gobbi: Historical Trattoria in Citta Bassa

CITTA BASSA

Walking around Citta Bassa near the shopping street of XX Settembre, we realised that we were all getting quite hungry, and started to look for somewhere reasonably priced, with locally produced food.

We couldn't see a menu outside, so I wandered inside, to try and find one, but failed! I hadn't realised that this was the back door - there was a printed menu in the front window, which I found when we left.

There was a pleasant atmosphere, with families and friends dining at rustic looking tables, plus a bust of Donizetti above a piano. I liked the look of this place.

Luckily we had Chiara (VTer pollon) and her husband Alex to translate - There wasn't a menu - the waitresses had a hand written note of the available dishes. It was getting quite late for lunch, but there was still a selection of about 4 main courses. The Osteria was still quite busy.

While we waited for our order, Alex explained that tre Gobbi, translated as 3 'hunchbacks'

This is quite an historical Taverna, dating back to 1855. It was a popular meeting place for locals, artists, musicians and even Revolutionaries. One of its most famous customers being Gaetano Donizetti, the local composer, hence the bust and commemorative plaque.

The waitress took our drinks orders first, then reeled off a choice of starters - I asked Chiara to find out the prices - apparently it was a set menu for 10 Euros - Appetiser, Main course and drinks!

This was quite a popular place, and all the tables were full. We were in the main dining area, but there was an outside terrace, and tables through in the front bar area. By the till was a selection of chocolates and Easter goodies.

As we stumbled on this place, and via the back door, It would be difficult to explain how to get here - Thanks to Google here are a map and directions

Favorite Dish: For my starter, I chose a Crespelle (pic 4)- a pancake with chopped vegetables in a cheese sauce - this was quite tasty and very hot!

My main course was a meat escalope - not sure if it was veal or not - There was a choice of boiled or roast potatoes or salad - I opted for the boiled potatoes. The meat was a little dry and a bit crispy around the corners, but the potatoes were nice.

We realised that sadly, the food had been heated in a micro-wave! Presumably a number of dishes are prepared in advance.

I washed this down with a glass of pilsner beer and ended with a coffee.

All in All, it was good value, but a shame about the micro-wave!

I'd probably return for the atmosphere - although the meal lost points for being re-heated/dried out, and the service wasn't over friendly, I still enjoyed eating here.

Address: Broseta street, 20 / C - 24122 Bergamo

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: CITTA BASSA

See map above

From Porta Nuova facing Alta, Head L. down Via Gerolamo Tiraboschi
Continue on Via Zambonate
Turn into Pz Pontida then L into Via Broseta and Tre Gobbi is on the L.

Other Contact: info@osteriatregobbi.it

Phone: 035.243405

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.osteriatregobbi.it/Chisiamo.htm

Il Sole: Aubergeo - Ristorante in Citta Alta

CITTA ALTA

As we'd booked Il Sole for one of our meals for EurMeet, we HAD to do our research and eat here! We were shown to a table in the main inside dining area - There is seating upstairs too, with outside terraces.

The waiting staff were quite efficient, probably a bit too hurried, - I would have liked more time to peruse the menu to select my main course.

We had time for people watching, and to observe what our fellow diners were eating. As the Il Sole has 10 rooms above the restaurant, some of the diners may well have been residents. (Check the website for prices/info etc or VT tips on Il Sole)

Our food was very tasty and nicely presented.

The cuisine here includes Bergamasc ingredients and dishes as well as Pizza, pasta and Fish dishes.

Closed Thursdays.

Looking forward to our gathering here on 3rd June!

Favorite Dish: For our starter, Gilly and I shared an Antipasti of mixed local cold meats and pickled vegetables (pic 2), which complimented each other very well -9 Euros

Main course - We both opted for Casoncelli alla Bergamasc (pic 3) - I would have probably chosen something different, as this is my default dish, but I felt a bit pressurised by the waiter to choose from the extensive menu. The casoncelli was good, (probably the most densly packed sausagemeat that I'd found in this dish, but felt the prosciutto topping overpowered it a bit, with its saltiness - and I would have liked more sage with it) -I did manage to clean my plate though! (pic 4) 8 Euros each

Dessert - I opted for creme caramel, which came attractively presented (pic 5) - it was quite light, and different to other versions of this dish that I'd tried before - but was very tasty. - 5.50 Euros

Washed down with a bottle of a d.o.c Valcolepio Rosso - 18 Euros

We finished the meal with coffee - 2 Euros each and Limoncello - 4 Euros each

Coperto - 2.50 Euros each

Total Bill -71 Euros For 3 courses with wine and liquor/coffees

Address: Via B Colleoni,1 24129 Citta Alta Bergamo

Comparison: about average

Directions: Citta Alta
From the Upper Funicular station, head forward along Via Gombito to just past Piazza Vecchie, and Il Sole is on the opposite corner.

Other Contact: info@ilsolebergamo.com

Phone: 035 218 238 Fax 035240011

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.ilsolebergamo.com

Ristorante Marechiaro: Friendly Ristorante Pizzeria Locanda

CITTA BASSA

As we'd had a busy day, walking around Bergamo, we decided to find a trattoria that Gilly had found on her map, near our accommodation. Well we didn't find that particular place, but happily, we came across Ristorante Marechiaro!

A friendly, cosy restaurant that contained a mix of locals and visitors. Above the restaurant is The B&B Sant’Antonio de Foris , so those staying here eat in the restaurant. (Check the website for info/prices etc)

Our waitress (?owner) was friendly, professional and helpful, recommending the wine etc. and served us throughout our visit - which I prefer to the alternative of a parade of different staff bringing the menu, the wine, different courses, then the bill etc.

They appear to specialise in pizzas, (with the dough being prepared fresh each day, and a chance to customise your own pizza), fish, pasta and cakes!
Fixed price menu available

The meal and service were very good, and I'd certainly visit here again.

Open 12.00 - 14.30 and 19.00 - 24.00
CLOSED - Tuesdays

Favorite Dish: We enjoyed our meal of;

A shared Antipasto of mixed fish - (pic 3) Breaded fish, which we think was a local fresh water fish, calamari, octopus, smoked salmon, prawns, ?anchovies, and salad leaves/lemon wedges - 12 Euros

Main course - we both had Casoncelli Bergamasca, which was delicious (pic 4) 8 Euros each

A litre carafe of House wine -white, dry - 8 Euros

Coffee - complimentary!
Coperta 2.30 each

Total Bill 40.60 Euros for 2 courses and wine

Address: Via Borgo Palazzo 2 24100 Citta Bassa Bergamo

Comparison: about average

Directions: From Porta Nuova, turn Right along Via G. Comozzo, and stay on the Right hand side of the street - Marechioro is on the corner of Via G Comozzo and Via Borgo Palazzo

Other Contact: mare-chiaro@libero.it

Phone: 035 232206

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.marechiaro.bg.it

La Ciotola Ristorante Pizzeria: Popular with solo business travellers

CITTA BASSA

Our last evening in Bergamo, with a fairly early start to the airport, so we wanted to eat near to our accommodation - also needed somewhere that opened early. La Ciotola opened at 19.00, so we chose to eat here, noting the 'Ristorante dei Mille Sapori' sticker on the door - Quality Assurance of local produce etc.

Well we were amongst the first arrivals, but the restaurant soon started to fill up - we noted that many of the customers were dining solo - presumably as it is located between the Mercure and Best Western Hotels, it is popular with hungry business travellers. At other tables suited business men appeared to be conducting business over their meals.

Well the service was good, but not exceptionally friendly - although there was an impression that this was a family run business with 'Nonna' eating in the restaurant. (I've since found out that the patron has been in business since 1954) - it is slightly off the beaten track - ie down a passageway off of Via Papa Giovanni,next to the Mercure Hotel, so might not be your first choice for dining.

Framed autographed newspaper articles and concert/Festival programmes decorate the wall. I think that 'Nonna' was in one of the presentation photos.

Since visiting, I've read 'glowing reports' from diners - perhaps I was a bit tired, or had eaten at so many different restaurants over the past few days, many of which I'd really enjoyed, and I was expecting a bit more! Perhaps it was because we were surrounded by diners trying to avoid eye contact with each other, and I was picking up on their 'discomfort'

Open 12.00 - 14.30 and 19.00 - 23.30 Daily Thursday to Tuesday.

Favorite Dish: I quite enjoyed my starter of pear with gorganzola cream and walnuts 7 Euros

For my main course I had the mixed grilled fish - prawns, sword fish, sea bream on a (large)bed of rocket - 18 Euros. Enjoyable enough, but not too outstanding.

Gilly chose the Fishermans soup 16 Euros - full of clams, mussels and calamari - think I should have gone with that!!

Washed down with a bottle of Valcolepio - 16 Euro
Coperti/cover charge 2 Euros each

Address: Viale Papa Giovanni XX111, 86

Comparison: about average

Directions: CITTA BASSA
Near to Mercure Hotel, down an internal passageway between shops.

Phone: 035 238334 Fax 035 4229567

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 3

Theme: Local

Ristorante Baretto di San Vigilio: The other San Vigilio Restaurant

SAN VIGILIO

After wandering around the castle and enjoying the panoramic views in the warm March sun, a crisp, cold beer was calling us!

We decided to try the outside terrace of La Baretto, with it's views over Citta Alta and beyond.We'd already eaten a tranchi, or we might have returned to Ristorante San Vigilio to eat. (After eating here in December, it's in my personal Top 20 list of Restaurants).

Whenever I've passed by this restaurant, the terrace has been full, especially on Sunday lunch time, when reserving a table is essential.

It was quite late, so most of the lunch time diners had eaten, and were enjoying their drinks, so we didn't see any of the food.

Apparently Ristorante Baretto is noted for its local dishes, selection of wines (over 250 labels) and its Cuban cigars -the patron Beppe Acquaroli is an afficionado, and maintains a well stocked humidor.
Alongside the Chef and his staff, there is a Confectioner Chef, noted for his creative desserts! Maybe next time, I'll try the menu.

Large Dining area inside. Which I passed through on the way to the Ladies - probably the nicest smelling WC that I've visited!!!

Sitting in the sun in March, with a chilled glass of beer is always a pleasant experience, the location here is quite relaxing, only being interrupted by the next arrivals from the funicular, or the sparrows pecking at discarded bread under the tables.

Favorite Dish: Draught lager - 4.50 Euros

Address: Via Al Castello, 1 San Vigilio Bergamo

Comparison: about average

Directions: San Vigilio

Next to the upper Funicular station of San Vigilio

Other Contact: baretto@baretto.it

Phone: 035 253191 035 4329875

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.baretto.it

Al Donizetti Enoteca, patisserie, wine bar: Calorific treats!!

CITTA ALTA

One of Bergamos most popular restaurants, named after Gaetano Donizetti - Bergamos famous 19th Century composer. It usually features as a restaurant choice in 'Sunday travel supplements etc' - I've passed by umpteen times,and drooled over the menus, but this was the first time that I'd actually ventured in - and it was just for coffee and a pastry - I say just ...... I was spoilt for choice .. which fresh crisp pastry/glistening fruit laden tart/chocolatey oozing gateau to choose?

I finally selected a lemon coloured tart topped with pine nuts, which I think is made from ricotta cheese or polenta?- well it was delicious! Good mellow coffee too. Gilly chose a fruit laden cheesecake. We enjoyed our pastries seated outside, under the 'Renaissance Arcade' - there are two inside lounges as well as place to stand at the bar.

Al Donizetti is famed for its platters of cold meats and cheeses - all locally produced, as well as its vast range of wines -700 from Italy and world-wide!!!

I particularly liked the 'logo' of an Alsatian dog, with a guilty look of one who'd relished a bottle or two of wine! (pic 3)

Check out the informative website for menus and a piece about Donizetti - English translation available.

Address: Via Gombito 17/A Citta Alta Bergamo

Comparison: about average

Directions: CITTA ALTA
From upper funicular station head forward along Via Gombito, and it's on the left hand side - look for the stone 'temple'

Other Contact: enoteca@donizetti

Phone: /Fax 035 242661

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.donizetti.it

VOX Restaurant and Lounge Bar: Fill Your Boots at this Happy Hour Buffet!

VOX was next door to our hotel (Mercure) and we called in for a early evening drink, which co-incided with Happy Hour.
Happy Hour in Bergamo means that your drinks arrive with a selection of nibbles of varying amounts. Usually from 17.30 -18.30/19.30.

In VOX this is a full buffet, spread along the bar and counter spaces, which is replenished when the levels of snacks on the plates fall. We weren't quite sure when 'Happy Hour' ended as the buffet was still being re-stocked at 21.30 hours.

We ordered our drinks - Me an Aperol Spritz, Gilly-a draught beer - for 5 Euros each - we soon found out that this entitled us to 'fill our boots' at the buffet!

Green olives, cold meats, pizzas, tortilla, crisps, nuts, bruschettas, garlic and salsa dips, potato cubes, fennel slices etc all passed our lips on the 2 occassions that we visited here - Tho' on the Sunday, the same drinks cost 6 Euros!
On the Monday morning when we passed by, we spotted bowls of olives again, plus covered plates of pastries, croissants etc. - not sure if these were 'free with a drink' or not

The buffet bar is on the lower level -There is also a restaurant on an upper level.

UPDATE - We re-visited VOX again during our March trip. Once again, we enjoyed the Happy Hour buffet. We also enjoyed a glass each of Valcolepia -my Bianco and Gillys Rosso.
We noticed that there was an interior smoking area (a glass cube with tables and chairs) on the upper level -I don't remember this from last time.
We still haven't eaten in the restaurant yet.

Address: Via Papa Giovanni 94, Bergamo

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Next to Mercure Hotel - From Train Station, head up Via Papa Giovanni on the Left Hand side and look for Mercure, then VOX.

Phone: +39 0354284353

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Buffet

La Bruschetta: Friendly centrally located Restaurant/ Pizzeria

CITTA BASSA

A friendly welcome and a glass of Prosecco 'On the House' was a great start to our evening meal here at La Bruschetta.

A warm relaxing atmosphere, with diners of all ages - couples, families and groups of friends. Locals and visitors.

This restaurant is close to the Best Western/Mercure/Arli and NH Hotels, as well as the Central BG Hostel, which was advertised outside - which we thought boded well for a reasonably priced meal. It was also quite near to our accommodation. It was a place that I'd walked past many times, but hadn't eaten here before.

The restaurant appears to be located in a 'vaulted cellar' with its' exposed brick columns and arches. Entrance to the dining area is down a few steps.
Some old paintings and articles decorate the walls.

Passing by the kitchen area, I caught a glimpse of the glowing pizza oven - yes, this was 'the real deal'!

Favorite Dish: For our starter, Gilly and I shared a platter of local cheeses (8 Euros), which were accompanied with honey, jam (like a marmalade) and slices of juicy pear and walnuts (pic 2) which we both agreed was delicious. I'm not usually a fan of pears - but these have made me re-think!

We both opted for a pizza for our main course - washed down with a bottle of Valcalepia Rosso - a local wine, that we'd both been looking forward to trying. (The first of many during our trip - both Rosso (red) and Bianco (white)

I'm afraid that I couldn't finish my Capricciosa ( Tomatoes, Mozarella, anchovies, artichokes, olives, mushrooms and oregano 8.50 Euros), but the waiter boxed it up for me to take away (Gilly had a small piece of her Caprese (Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and oregano - 9 Euros) to take away too.

So, Good Service, Great food, Good Location - Yes, I'd recommend it, and would certainly eat here again.

Address: Via Guglielmo D'Alzano, 1, 24122 Bergamo, Italy

Comparison: about average

Directions: Citta Bassa - Off Via Papa Giovanni

Phone: 39 (035) 221265

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Pizza and Co: Pizzas and Brioches

We had booked room only, though we could have eaten breakfast in the hotel for 10 Euros per day, we preferred to have an 'Italian Breakfast' of coffee and a pastry. Pizza and Co was near to our hotel (it's between the Mercure and Best Western hotels). A cafe/coffee bar/snack bar.

We sat on tall stools at a small round table downstairs, but noted that there is an upper Mezzanine area with tables and benches. I was impressed that there was an electric stair lift for customers with mobility problems. I think the toilets were upstairs.

There was a steady stream of customers, which kept the lone elderly proprieter? quite busy

Favorite Dish: I enjoyed my brioche com crema - pastry with a custardy filling and Cappuccino - though I could have drunk more than a small cup full! This came to 2.10 Euros (December 2011) - On the right hand side of the menu display was this drink and cake offer - for 4.40 Euros I could have had my choice, plus an additional small orange juice. Cappuccino and a slice of tart was also 4.40 Euros

Purchased seperately cappuccino is 1.30 and brioches are 0.90 cents - so although this only saved me 10 cents, for anyone with a family these might be a better option.

As the name of the cafe suggests, they also bake and sell pizza - a small selection of pizza al trancio was on the bar - (Pizza sold by the slice) 1.60/3 Euros small/normal.

A handy place for a quick cheap breakfast.

Address: Viale Papa Giovanni xxiii, Bergamo, Lombardia 2412

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: From the train station, head up Via Papa Giovanni on the Left side of the street towards Largo Porta Buova, pass Hotel Mercure, and it's a few doors away

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Pizza

Gran Bar: Bar, caffe, Gelateria

It was Happy Hour, and we were quite thirsty, so we decided to stop at this bar, with its pavement tables and chairs. Although it's on one of Citta Bassa's busiest streets, we were shielded from the traffic by the tubs and troughs of shrubs.

I ordered my favourite - Aperol Spritz, the others chose draught beer (birra alla spina - beer from the tap) fruit juice and coffee (illy brand). These came with a bowl of olives and crisps. (During Happy Hour, accompanying nibbles can sometimes be a substitute for a meal)!!

Inside the bar was a selection of ice creams, but I managed to resist (especially as Grom was within view)!

Clean toilets in side.

A decent enough place for a drink and loo break.

Address: Via Papa Giovanni, Citta Bassa, 41 Bergamo

Comparison: about average

Directions: From the train station, head up Via Papa Giovanni on the Right side of the street towards Largo Porta Buova, pass Hotel Mercure (on the opposite side) and it's amongst the shops and cafes next to GameStop and Gusto Pizza.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Italian