The flavours of Verona: cuisine and great wines

Verona is also discovered at the table. Veronese cuisine is simple and generous, made of local ingredients, time-honoured recipes and pairings with some of Italy's most celebrated wines. A stay here is also a little journey of taste: here's what not to miss.

At the table: the traditional dishes

The symbol of the city's cuisine is risotto all'Amarone, creamy and fragrant, finished with the great local red. Among the classics you'll find pastissada de caval (a rich traditional braise), bigoli, a long, rough pasta served with hearty sauces, and bollito with pearà, the typical sauce made of bread, marrow and pepper. During Carnival, a plate of gnocchi is a must, the stars of the famous "Venerdì Gnocolar".

In Verona every dish tells a story: of hills, of vineyards and of a city that loves to take its time.

The great wines of the region

The hills around Verona produce extraordinary wines. Among the reds, Valpolicella, Ripasso and above all Amarone stand out, powerful and enveloping, made from dried grapes; Recioto is its sweet version. Among the whites don't miss Soave, Lugana and Custoza, while fresh and easy-drinking Bardolino comes from the shores of Lake Garda. Not by chance, every spring Verona hosts Vinitaly, the most important wine fair in Italy.

Sweets and specialities

Verona is the home of pandoro, the soft festive cake born right here, heir to the ancient nadalin. Also worth taking home: a good Lake Garda olive oil, mountain cheeses and a bottle of your favourite wine.

Where to taste them

Treat yourself to an aperitif among the stalls of Piazza delle Erbe, choose a traditional osteria for dinner or go exploring the small spots in the centre. And if you prefer a fully relaxed evening, bring some specialities up to your suite with a glass of red: with the big screen on, your dinner becomes a private little event.