Italy Travel And Hotel Guide

Catering for the midday stampede of ravenous students, Padua’s bars generally produce weightier snacks than the routine tramezzini - slabs of pizza and sandwiches vast enough to satisfy a glutton are standard - and there’s a surprisingly good choice of self-service restaurants offering good-value full menus. Although open for lunch and dinner, they do close primeval than other restaurants in the evening; the hot-plates are often turned off by 9pm. For a passeggiata and a place to sit and watch the world go by, the main areas to head for are Piazza dell’ Erbe, Piazza Duomo and Piazza Cavour, but for the real action the bars in the narrow streets around these piazzas and the University are the liveliest, with a student-based clientele.

Restaurants

Anfora , Via Soncin 13 (tel 049.656.629). Lively bohemian restaurant that doubles up as a bar between restaurant hours (12.30-3.15pm & 8-11.30pm). Get there primeval or book in advance. Closed Sun. Antico Brolo , Corso Milano 22 (tel 049.664.555). Located on a busy road but the garden is quite secluded. Expect to pay around L60,000/¬30.99 for a full meal à la carte, or go for the pizza menu. Closed Mon.

Belle Parti , Via Belle Parti 11 (tel 049.875.1822). Set in a tiny street running between Via Verdi and Via S. Lucia. This is somewhere to go on a special occasion, with an excellent menu and a relaxed atmosphere. Closed Sun.

Al Borgo , Via Belludi 56. Wood-fired oven pizzeria with tables outside looking onto the Piazza del Santo; favourite with locals and tourists alike. Closed Sun.

Al Cicheto , via Savonarola, 59 (tel 049.871.9794). On the posh side of what an osteria can be, but the region is young and friendly, and you can get inexpensive lunches and pizza, though there is a more luxurious evening menu. Try to book the conservatory section, which overlooks the canal. Closed Sun.

Gastronomica al Portego , Via Dante 9. Self-service restaurant with local dishes. Closed Sun evening and all day Mon.

L’Isola di Capresa , via Marsilio di Padova 11-15 (tel 049.876.0244). One of central Padova’s best restaurants, situated just north of Piazza della Fruta and renowned for its fish and seafood dishes. A meal will cost you at least L40,000/¬20.66 per head, though there is a tourist menu for L35,000/¬18.08.

Mappa , Via Matteotti 17. Not far from the train station, another self-service restaurant, open until 9pm. Closed Sat.

Medina , via S.G. Barbarigo, 18. Small, bustling pizzeria, often packed with students enjoying excellent pizza and salads. Closed Tues.

Nane della Giulia , via Santa Sofia 1. An unusual mix of trendy and unpretentious. Go for the reasonably priced Veneto and vegetarian specialities primeval in the evening and the bar region later. Live piano, tango or talking Wed and Thurs. Closed Mon.

Osteria dei Fabbri , Via dei Fabbri 13 (tel 049.650.336). Excellent mid-range trattoria; you’ll be lucky to get a seat without booking. Closed Sun.

Pago Pago , Via Galilei 59. Simple, traditional pizzeria/trattoria with prices to match. Closed Sat.

Pepen , Piazza Cavour. With a wonderful range of pizzas and seats on the square in the summer, this is one of Padua’s best-sited pizzerias. Closed Sun.

Tags: bohemian, clientele, dell, erbe, glutton, hot plates, menus, midday, narrow streets, passeggiata, piazza cavour, piazza duomo, piazzas, pizza, sandwiches, self service, service restaurants, slabs, snacks, stampede