It's nice in Bergamo, during any season. Walking around the Upper Town is an especially lovely experience because it is one of the few historical city centers, of the various Italian capital cities, that is still completely surrounded by walls (other similar spots are Ferrara, Lucca, Verona, Padua, Treviso, and Grosseto). It is no coincidence that the Venetian ramparts were listed in 2017 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All the villages outside the walls make up the Lower Town, preserving historical areas that work together architecturally with more modern spots in town. According to Italians, in both cities, you have to work a lot (too much, some say), but there is also a lot of fun to be had – especially at the dinner table.
Bergamo top spots
There are many delicious places to visit in Bergamo; some venues are culinary institutions, like the Michelin-starred restaurant Da Vittorio a Brusaporto (about 5 miles towards Brescia), while some spots are more recent, though just as deserving of a try! Besides that, the Cerea family has just reopened the historic Pasticceria Cavour in via Gombito, a pastry shop founded 240 years ago (after a long renovation that was truly worth it). Pasticceria Cavour has been run by the Cerea family since 1994. Another great spot you can’t miss is Lio Pellegrini, a wedding favors shop in via S. Tommaso with a very loyal clientele and a menu of excellent meat and fish dishes. This is definitely one of the most interesting cities for foodies in Northern Italy!
So without further ado, here’s a list of our Bergamo favorites:
N.O.I. Acronym for Nuova Osteria Italiana: 30 seats in an informal setting – created and managed by two young people: Guido Gherardi on the floor and Tommaso Spagnolo at the helm, back home after great experiences around the world (Caino, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Eleven Madison Park, to name just a few…). Market cuisine, super fresh ingredients, never boring. We recommend the: bruschetta with duck liver, veal brains, butter, and sage.
Impronte Recently, Impronte became a Michelin-star venue – to the joy of the couple who founded the restaurant: chef Cristian Fagone and his wife Francesca Mauri. A charming restaurant with a strong personality in the kitchen – where they are on a never-ending quest to find new culinary combinations, contrasts, and acidity. The menu ranges from influences ingredients and influences from all over the peninsula. One dish above all: “Ricordo di una grigliata” (literally “ I remember a barbecue”).
Balzer Expert Vittorio Fusari guides the historic and elegant restaurant on the Sentierone. There is only the highest quality in their cuisine – from the leavened products for breakfast to the stucchini for the aperitif, and of course, we can’t forget the pastries – to be consumed on the spot or taken home. The chef’s cuisine is very much appreciated in the bistro at lunchtime when his classics, such as the potato and caviar puff pastry, alternate with vegetable dishes and a large homemade hamburger.
Al Carroponte A large space, furnished in the post-industrial style. The idea came from Oscar Mazzoleni, a great wine professional who set up this multi-soul restaurant (an informal wine bar, bistro, and restaurant) with a powerful wine list: about 1,000 labels from large and small producers, both Italian and foreign. You drink (and eat) very well here – meaning that an aperitif is always accompanied by a variety of delicacies.
Casual Also Michelin-starred, Casual is a signature part of the Enrico Bartolini galaxy – the chef who opened the restaurant in the perfect spot, a corner right next to the funicular to San Vigilio. It’s the ideal position to enjoy the sights and Bartolinian cuisine, all interpreted by young chef Alex Manzoni and served by maître Marco Locatelli. Casual’s menu obviously reflects the Bartolini “be contemporary” philosophy.
Al Donizetti It opens at eleven for the aperitif and closes at midnight: in a very central position, suggestive inside and fantastic outside, Al Donizetti is, above all, one of the most complete Italian wine bars with over 700 references from all over the world. It is no coincidence that it is one of the very few Tre Bottiglie del Gambero Rosso (a prestigious Italian food guide). For those who also want to stop for lunch, there are cold cuts and excellent cheeses served simply in the regional tradition.
Osteria al Gigianca The best spot for Slow Food, especially. For seven years now, Gigi Pesenti and Alessia Mazzola have been serving mantecato cod with polenta croutons, risotto with peppers and missoltino pâtés, as well as the traditional Bergamasque-style casoncelli or the rabbit with polenta and the giant Bergamasque sheep with potato cream and beet chutney are particularly popular.