Category: Central Italy

Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Assisi: History Underfoot, the Future at La Locanda del Cardinale

La Locanda del Cardinale has always been one of those places in Assisi where time seems to slow down. Set inside Palazzo del Cardinale, just a few steps from Piazza del Comune and the Basilica of Saint Clare, the restaurant has long been known for its rare ability to blend history, elegance, and serious gastronomy. Today, however, there’s a fresh reason to walk through its … Continue reading Assisi: History Underfoot, the Future at La Locanda del Cardinale

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Osteria Le Logge: Where Tuscany Sits Down to Eat in Siena

Gianni Brunelli, founder of Osteria Le Logge, often said, “Eating is important, but eating well is essential,” a phrase that still defines the spirit of the restaurant. Tucked into a narrow medieval street that climbs from Siena’s main piazza toward the ancient Pope’s Lodge, just steps from Piazza del Campo, Le Logge feels inseparable from the city itself. It was here, in 1977, that Gianni … Continue reading Osteria Le Logge: Where Tuscany Sits Down to Eat in Siena

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

La Clandestina Cocktail & Food: The Secret Pulse of Arezzo

Hidden within a historic building on Corso Italia, in the very heart of Arezzo, lies La Clandestina Cocktail & Food—a place where memorabilia from different eras come together to create a playful, time-bending atmosphere for one of the city’s most intriguing bars. Founders Alessandro Di Salvatori and Linda Giangeri have shaped the space into something both cinematic and intimate, part speakeasy, part living room, and … Continue reading La Clandestina Cocktail & Food: The Secret Pulse of Arezzo

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy, Restaurants in Rome

Pasqualina Frascati | Sincere, Revisited Italian Cuisine with Local Wines & Authentic Dining

In the spring of 2025, a new story began to unfold in the hills of Frascati. Pasqualina opened its doors with quiet excitement and a clear purpose: to be a home for sincere cuisine, the kind that tells stories, evokes memories, and celebrates freedom at the table. Born from the shared vision of chefs Daniele Bonanni and Simone Giuliani, Pasqualina is more than a restaurant; … Continue reading Pasqualina Frascati | Sincere, Revisited Italian Cuisine with Local Wines & Authentic Dining

Rowena Dumlao
Center, Central Italy, Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy, Wineries, Wineries in Italy

Gambero Rosso 2026 Italian Restaurant Preview: Abbamele, Uma, La Trota & Il Vizio at Monte Vibiano

In anticipation of the Gambero Rosso 2026 Restaurant Guide, an exclusive preview event brought together some of Italy’s most acclaimed chefs and wineries for a curated tasting experience. The evening featured signature dishes from Osteria Abbamele, Uma, La Trota, and Il Vizio, each thoughtfully paired with Monte Vibiano’s organically certified wines. Guests were invited to experience a dialogue between culinary innovation and terroir-driven wines, where … Continue reading Gambero Rosso 2026 Italian Restaurant Preview: Abbamele, Uma, La Trota & Il Vizio at Monte Vibiano

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Flavors of Tuscany, Warmth of Home at Emporio di Ines

In Foiano della Chiana (Arezzo, Tuscany), Emporio di Ines offers a dining experience that balances warmth and elegance. Named after Paolo’s mother, Ines, who moved from Veneto to Rome before settling in Tuscany, the restaurant reflects her spirit: a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, carefully selected wines, and an atmosphere where guests feel at home. Much of the produce comes from the restaurant’s own garden, … Continue reading Flavors of Tuscany, Warmth of Home at Emporio di Ines

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

L’Ortino di Cortona: Where Monks Once Planted, L’Ortino Now Serves

Set on the hillside of southern Tuscany, Cortona welcomes visitors with its winding stone streets, lively piazzas warmed by the sun, and a deep sense of history that lingers in every building. In the heart of this timeless village, within a medieval palace dating back to the 1200s, a new chapter began in 2023: L’Ortino di Cortona. The restaurant was born in the same building … Continue reading L’Ortino di Cortona: Where Monks Once Planted, L’Ortino Now Serves

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Walter Redaelli: A Timeless Tuscan Table

In the rolling hills of Tuscany, Ristorante Walter Redaelli is more than a place to eat — it’s a place to savor. Housed on the ground floor of a late 18th-century Leopoldina farmhouse in Bettolle, it radiates rustic charm: exposed brick walls, high timber beams, and a grand fireplace speak to its history. In the warmer months, dining extends outdoors, where rosemary hedges and a … Continue reading Walter Redaelli: A Timeless Tuscan Table

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

From Paris to Tuscany: The Enchanting World of Da Fred

Set in the tiny hamlet of Farnetella, just eight kilometers from my doorstep, Da Fred has quickly become one of the most delightful escapes in the Valdichiana. The journey there sets the tone: a road lined with olive groves and low stone walls winding uphill to a medieval village of scarcely 150 residents. Upon arrival, the sense of discovery only deepens. Parking opens to sweeping … Continue reading From Paris to Tuscany: The Enchanting World of Da Fred

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Salotto Valadier: Roman Cuisine Meets the Sea’s Bounty in a 19th-Century Style Lounge in Fiumicino

Stepping into Salotto Valadier feels like slipping into a sepia-toned memory, a place where time bends, and suddenly you’re lounging in an Italian grandmother’s salotto, surrounded by the clink of china, and the enticing scent of sea-kissed cooking. The atmosphere itself whispers stories of family gatherings and seaside meals, evoking delighted gasps and nostalgia, exactly the reaction Francesca, Matteo, and Andrea dreamed of when they … Continue reading Salotto Valadier: Roman Cuisine Meets the Sea’s Bounty in a 19th-Century Style Lounge in Fiumicino

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Aminta: The Italian Countryside’s Michelin-Starred Showcase of Estate-Grown Ingredients

As a chef, sommelier, and third-generation restaurateur, Marco Bottega merges his family’s rustic roots with modern culinary ambition. His Michelin-starred Marco Bottega Restaurant, anchored within his family’s Aminta Resort in Genazzano’s hills, an hour from Rome—redefines fine dining. The resort’s 50-hectare estate fuels the restaurant: olive groves, orchards, forests, and pastures supply 80% of its ingredients, from heirloom vegetables to free-range meats. Sustainability drives every … Continue reading Aminta: The Italian Countryside’s Michelin-Starred Showcase of Estate-Grown Ingredients

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Podere Belvedere: Revolutionizing Meat in Tuscan Cuisine

Podere Belvedere: In Pontassieve, Tuscany, Chef Edoardo Tilli and Klodiana Karafilaj celebrate sustainable, aged meats through high-humidity aging and fermentation. Embracing “Less, but better,” their farm-to-table philosophy honors the animal, the land, and zero waste. Bold tasting menus in a rustic farmhouse setting. Continue reading Podere Belvedere: Revolutionizing Meat in Tuscan Cuisine

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants in Italy

Adagio Restaurant: The Rhythm of Umbrian Flavors in Monte Castello di Vibio

On the right side of the Tiber Valley, just a stone’s throw from Todi, the charming town of Monte Castello di Vibio in Umbria invites visitors to discover its rich history, vibrant culture, and tranquil pace of life. Home to only 1,400 residents, this hidden gem boasts the Teatro della Concordia, a remarkable Italian-style theater built in 1808. Despite its modest 99-seat capacity, it stands … Continue reading Adagio Restaurant: The Rhythm of Umbrian Flavors in Monte Castello di Vibio

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Michelin-Starred Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy

Linfa in San Gimignano: A Star on Tuscany’s Culinary Map

San Gimignano, often called the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages,” is one of Tuscany’s most captivating gems. World-famous for its architecture characterized by numerous medieval towers, the town once boasted 72 of these striking structures, built by wealthy families as symbols of power. Today, only 14 remain, yet they still create a unique skyline that rises above the rolling Tuscan hills. This UNESCO World Heritage … Continue reading Linfa in San Gimignano: A Star on Tuscany’s Culinary Map

Rowena Dumlao
Central Italy, Restaurants, Restaurants in Italy, Restaurants in Rome

Tenuta del Duca in Fiumicino: A Culinary Stay Before Takeoff

After years of running seasonal beachfront restaurants in Fregene and Focene, two coastal towns near Rome along the Tyrrhenian Sea, husband and wife Rosario Malapena and Cristina Sebastiani embark on a year-round venture in Fiumicino. Just five minutes from Leonardo da Vinci Airport, Tenuta del Duca is their latest project, blending refined cuisine with warm hospitality in a carefully restored 1930s farmhouse. More than just … Continue reading Tenuta del Duca in Fiumicino: A Culinary Stay Before Takeoff

Rowena Dumlao