Eating in Italy/Central: Umbria, Le Marche
Grutti: Le Noci
Grutti: Ristorante Le Noci
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This is an excellent family trattoria, just a few minutes from our tower at Torri, offering local cuisine, various dishes, and pizzas.
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Via Torino 6, Grutti.
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Open every day except Tuesday, from 12:30 - 2:30 pm and from 7:30 - 11 pm
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+39 0742 98371
Perugia: Pasticceria Sandri
Sandri is a classically-elegant old Italian bar/pasticceria. It's a lovely place to stop for a hot chocolate while strolling Corso Vannucci in this beautiful Umbrian city on a hill.
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Opened in 1860.
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Corso Vannucci 32, Perugia.
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Open Tuesday - Sunday 7:30 am -8 pm.
Spello: La Cantina
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If we were to rank all of the places we've dined in Italy, this one would be very close to the top of our list. The space is charming, in a very rustic and historic way. The restaurant occupies the old cellar of a medieval building in the old center of Spello, a wonderful Umbrian hilltown. The food is classically Umbrian, a fare that is also a bit rustic, and heartier than the food in some other regions, and delicious. If you enjoy truffles you will love this place. They also serve classic pasta dishes and rabbit, wild boar and other local specialites. The desserts are always delicious.
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Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour 2, Spello.
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Open Mondays for dinner only: 8 - 10:30 pm
Tuesday - Sunday: 1 pm - 2:30 and 8 - 10:30 pm
Reservations are strongly recommended.
+39 0742 651775
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lacantinadispello.com
Spello: Ristorante Il Pinturicchio
We happened upon this restaurant, just up the street from La Cantina, on a Monday when La Cantina was closed. It was a pleasant surprise. Now we have two wonderful dining options in one of our favorites of all Italian hilltowns.
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The pasta dishes and salads were excellent, as was the dessert.
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Largo Mazzini 8, Spello
ristoranteilpinturicchio.it
+39 072 301784
Closed Tuesday
Deruta: Ristorante Locanda
del Bracconiere
Another incredible Umbrian restaurant. This small restaurant on a side street of the famous old pottery town of Deruta offers some wonderful specialties, from gnocchi dressed in a luscious creamy truffle sauce to a delicious beet-root white chocolate mousse dessert. Everything is beautifully prepared and delicious.
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Via Borgo Garibaldi 3, Deruta. +39 075 972353
locandadelbrocconiere.it
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Contact the restaurant for reservations. It is not open every day of the week.
Half portion of Gnocci w/Truffles
Half Portion of White Chocolate Beetroot Mousse
Marcellano: La Vecchia Cucina
This restaurant is another of our favorites. The food here is delicious. They make traditional Umbrian foods, pastas, pizzas, and wonderful fire-roasted meats.
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La Vecchia Cucina is just a few minutes from our tower at Torri.
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La Vecchia Cucina. Via delle Scuole 2, Marcellano. +39 0742 974066.
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Reservations are recommended.
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Open Tuesday - Friday 12-2:30 and 7:30- 10:00 pm (though they discourage arriving for dinner before 8pm) and Saturdays open for dinner. Closed Mondays.
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Foligno: Central Bar
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Foligno is a wonderful medieval town in one of the few flat areas of Umbria. It's a place we love to stroll, enjoying the old streets and buildings of the town.
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We happened upon this bar in the central piazza, and were very happy with it. They have wonderful pastries, sandwiches, gelato, and, of course, hot chocolate!
Piazza della Repubblica 4.
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Tortellini with Broccoli and Anchovies --a surprisingly delicious pasta dish.
