"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" Juliet asked the sky, leaning out from the balcony that's today's one of the most famous Instagram-worthy corners. Lovers from around the world come here to profess their love, hold hands and kiss in front of the majestic Roman arena and then get scammed by tourist trap restaurants. What a way to ruin the romantic atmosphere!
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Here's a guide of lesser known places that serve delicious food and drinks at honest prices, and where locals enjoy their time. Grab a pen and pin these spots to impress your lover on your next getaway!
Start the day at Pasticceria Flego
Start your day off on the right foot and take your chérie to taste typical caffè and brioche at Pasticceria Flego. This pastry shop has two locations in the heart of Verona: one next to Piazza delle Erbe and one close to Juliet's house. The latter, on Via Stella, is the best option if you want to enjoy la dolce vita: take a seat inside the old and elegant bar or sip your cappuccino while people-watching on one of the main shopping streets.
The prices are slightly higher than in other pastry shops, but they are truly justified by excellent ingredients, tastes, recipes and service. This family-run pastry shop has a tradition of giving full and quality service with style, professionalism and kindness. The wide variety of croissants, cakes and pastries of any sort will put a smile on your face and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Pasticceria Flego is also a good option if you want to have a little treat in the afternoon, after strolling around the sun-soaked city. Try their famous single-portion cakes with a cup of tea: you'll feel relaxed and restored, ready to continue your visit.
If you're passing by the train station and you want to grab a to-go breakfast and sit under the arena, Pasticceria Barini is what you are looking for. For 50 years, this shop has made some of the best pastries Verona has to offer. It's a definite must-stop to discover the wonders of Italian breakfast.
Go brunching at Elk Bakery
If you prefer a longer stop and are torn between choosing a sweet or a savory breakfast, enjoy a tasty brunch at Elk Bakery. Despite its English name, this café is a local brand, where you'll find bagels, pancakes, avocado toasts and bacon-y eggs to satisfy your palate along with fast service, friendly staff and nicely plated food.
Some will say the menu is not typically Italian, but brunch culture is gradually taking its place in Italy's slow lifestyle. Needless to say, every dish here is made with local ingredients and with that undoubtedly Italian je ne sais quoi. Another plus is the non-stop service, from breakfast to early dinner, meaning you can find food here even when other restaurants are closed.
Elk Bakery has locations next to Juliet's house or right beside Castelvecchio bridge, so once your tummy is happily full, you can walk through the charming streets of the city center.
Stop by the river for lunch at Osteria Verona Antica
There are so many good places in Verona to taste the real homemade cuisine but this local's favorite is Osteria Verona Antica.
The location itself is one reason why: along the Adige river, facing the San Pietro castle and the Roman theater. If you're graced with a sunny and not-so-hot day, eating outside on the terrace is a joy for the eye.
The authentic Veronese menu includes cheeses from the nearby Lessinia alpine hut and with fresh cut meat and charcuterie. The pasta shape that nonnas make in Veneto is called bigoli — a long and thick strand similar to what Tuscany calls pici — and is best enjoyed with donkey meat ragù. If you're a risotto lover, try the one with the local Amarone red wine, typical of the Valpolicella wine region.
Are you more of a meat fan? Pastissada de caval andlesso e pearà should be what's good for you. Served with polenta, pastissada de caval is a horse meat stew prepared with bay leaves, nutmeg, cloves, salt, pepper, vegetables and beef stock and slow cooked until the meat melts. Lesso e pearà is the bollito misto popular across the north of Italy, that in Verona is uniquely served with pearà: a thick, slow cooking sauce made from the boiled meat stock, grated stale bread, ox marrow and abundant ground black pepper.
Don't miss out on dessert! Tiramisù was originally created in Treviso, a city not too far from Verona. If you happen to be in Verona during Christmas time, try pandoro, the traditional sweet yeast bread, a recipe was developed in the city and perfected over a century.
If the Osteria is unfortunately packed, take your pick of any other restaurant along the Via Sottoriva. The food is amazing and the view is quite perfect from every corner of the neighborhood.
Taste the tastiest gelato at Zeno Gelato e Cioccolato
If breakfast and lunch have still left a little hunger in you, gelato is the answer to your needs. There are many good gelaterie in the city center, but try one that is not part of a big chain and head to Zeno Gelato e Cioccolato.
Situated in a truly nice context, you can grab your gelato here and then have a seat on the riverside next to one of the best views of the city, Ponte Pietra. It will feel like you've escaped from the city for a little while, in a very lovely way.
This gelateria is a little different from average ones because they make fewer, but more refined flavors. Vegan friendly, they mix fresh seasonal fruits with spices and nuts to create to unexpected interesting combinations. A little hack: if you're not totally sure which flavor to choose, don't be shy and ask for a taste — it's allowed and highly recommended!
Aperitivo time! Discover Osteria del Bugiardo and Osteria A La Carega
Everyone knows that aperitivo is the most important Italian meal you need to try. It has nothing to do with the French or the Spanish ones — even though there are some similarities. The basic Veronese aperitivo is Spritz, Aperol or Campari, accompanied by chips, mini panini, olives or nuts.
But if you want to add something more nourishing, here's where to go.
Osteria del Bugiardo, on a side street of Piazza delle Erbe, is a pretty common destination. But despite being mentioned in the guides, it has been able to maintain its status as a little corner where you can taste good wine and appetizers at reasonable prices. Best known for its wines, it serves delicious tapas such as polenta, tartines and local prosciutto and cheese boards. If you don't find a seat, just take your order and drink outside on the street. Italians prefer to stand because it's easier to chat with people.
Osteria A La Carega is a far less popular spot, a little further from the center, in the heart of the ancient and evocative Città Antica, or Old Town. Simply furnished, it has a handwritten menu on a blackboard hanging over the counter that lists tempting local red and white wines. Out of all the choices presented behind the counter, the appetizers absolutely worth a try are the meatballs. There are vegetarian options as well. While most famous for appetizers, this osteria works as a restaurant too. So if you feel really hungry, just ask the staff for their suggestion. The nice little patio on the small square leaves enough space for musicians to perform on warm summer nights. It's truly a hidden gem.
A quick tip: if you ever get tired of Aperol and Campari, try Cynar Spritz or even Select Spritz. Cynar is an artichoke bitter, therefore quite sour but definitely worth trying. Select is made out of rhubarb roots, individually processed, and juniper berries, usually served with a pitted olive.
Sip classy cocktails at Romeo Bistrot
Enough with the Spritz now. If you are a cocktail seeker, Romeo Bistrot is the place to be. In the heart of the city center, next to the so-called love pit, this two-storey bar makes the most exquisite drinks.
The first floor is a bistro, and the second floor is a cocktail bar. Basically a speakeasy, the cocktail floor is small, so don't worry if they place you in the bistro area and don't lose your faith either: cocktails are perfect there, too!
Depending on the season, you'll find different kinds of fruity drinks, gin and tonics and spirits that are worth the price. Everyone here is dressed in a cool way — but don't overdress! It's a great spot to impress your love interest. Then once your cocktails have started to kick in, take a romantic walk toward Porta Borsari and across the lovely Ponte della Vittoria, where you can see Castelvecchio on one side and the hills surrounding the city on the other.
Midnight cravings: Bottega del Krapfen is a must-do
As the city of love, you might lose yourself deep in love conversations and/or one too many glass of wine. If hunger strikes in the middle of a night out, this is your chance to visit the student quarter, where Bottega del Krapfen pulls all-night shifts to satisfy tummy aches of those who seek a tasty snack.
Sweet or savory, for €1.50 you'll have the time of your life in a few bites.
A local's favorite: picnic with a view at Salumeria Gironda
This inside tip for a sunny Sunday that could earn you a top prize for romantic gestures. Buy picnic ingredients at Salumeria Gironda and then head straight to the top of San Pietro castle. At sunset, you'll have a perfect view over the city lighting up for the night — while eating the best panini imaginable!
Or you can also eat at the shop, which has one of the loveliest of the terraces, facing the river, with a stunning view over the castle. Either way, this place will make you the most romantic and remarkable lover of all time.
