Fun and entertainment Veneto

A gourmet haven for the people of Padua since 1919, who love buns, almond cakes and other sweets. For those who love it, the speciality for which people travel miles is the millefeuille with custard, a recipe that has been handed down from father to son for 100 years. Over the years, to the traditional version have been added the one with cream and chocolate chips and the one with cream and wild strawberries. Nice terrace on Piazza della Frutta, for a break between two visits. A sure value.

This enoteca, located under the arcades of Piazza Mazzini, is not to be missed. It's a delight for wine-lovers, who like to meet up for a convivial time between aperitifs and the early hours of the morning. A vast stock of bottles is on offer, to be accompanied by a few hot or cold dishes, such as cheese and charcuterie boards, but also polenta, pumpkin gnocchi or tagliatelle with ragout. We love the turn-of-the-century atmosphere here, with regulars always ready to remake the world.

A small wine bar, welcoming and intimate, perfect place for the après-ski, but especially at the time of the aperitif. We are talking about a glass of a large Venetian cru or a giant sipped, eating exquisite appetizers and cold meats. Small restoration for who would like something more consisting of.

This last address, which has won the Golden Palm of Venice's nightlife awards since its opening in September 2018, is not to be missed. The way to get there is not the easiest, but the setting, the drinks and the food are worth the detour. The choice of beers is extensive, and the list of cocktails is well provided. On the menu, burger and chips are served with spaghetti in squid ink, oyster platters from Chioggia and Parma ham boards. To be enjoyed as early as the aperitif, in a very local atmosphere

A good place to meet the world under the arcades of the Palladian Basilica, with trendy music and a dreamy view of the Piazza delle Erbe. Regulars flock here to taste the wines selected by the owner or to sip the latest trendy cocktails. The regional antipasti are obviously part of the party. It's hard to resist this mix of flavors that promotes, in meticulous portions, products from the land (prosciutto, beef, panna cotta, tomatoes, etc.) as well as those from the sea (tuna, salmon, squid, among others).

Away from the busiest canals, this small, family-run neighborhood bar offers food on the go, pizzas (only topped on the spot), sandwiches and paninis, as well as good cicchetti prepared to order. Amadi Stefano, Roberta Bon, Tommaso and Nicoló keep the store running, not forgetting their mascot, Bignè (donut), who takes care of reception. In the mornings, before the tourists arrive, we like to join the local regulars for a first coffee, before continuing our stroll along the pretty Terranova canal.

A small, rustic bar on the edge of the canal, just across the Dei Pugni bridge from the church of San Barnaba. People come here at all hours to drink a coffee, enjoy a good vintage, sip a spritz or a beer, and eat on the go. Good regional products (cheese and ham) line the window, and some delicious dishes are available à la carte at lunchtime. Perfect for a pleasant break. Local regulars like to meet up here, and you'll be made to feel very welcome. Warm Irish bar atmosphere (the wood has a lot to do with it). Very reasonable prices.

A tiny neighborhood bar at the foot of the Ponte Giovanni, where a few old-timers have their morning habits. It's one of the best places to stop off on your way to Santa Croce, where you can watch the bustle of Campo San Cassian. Ideal for a hot chocolate, americano or latte with croissant, or to share a beer, mojito or glass of sangria with friends. But it's also a popular spot for tourists, so service can be rushed and prices inflated.

For 31 years Al Vapore has been a nightlife hotspot, frequented by locals and young Venetians alike who want to party. It is an old-fashioned pub to surround yourself with a British atmosphere on a background of Italian dolce vita. At the same time snack bar, concert hall and place of temporary exhibitions, you will find a good atmosphere if you want to escape from the lagoon or if you simply stay on land. Concerts start at 9.30 pm, on Saturdays also at 11 pm and half past midnight.

A cosy place, both trendy and refined. This elegant café welcomes you at any time of the day with its raw wood, stainless steel and frosted glass decor. You can come early in the morning to sip an espresso, at noon to devour a panini or a sandwich on the go, and finally to drink a cocktail in the evening. On the menu, we find a wide range of typical dishes revisited with taste. The whole is rather sophisticated, with a touch of originality. Nice wine list. A delicate address in short, which will seduce in particular the lovers.

An old industrial warehouse transformed in 1995 by a group of activists into an artists' squat. Since then, this place has become a legend: concerts are regularly held there, a bar has been set up, the homeless find refuge there, a radio station broadcasts its programs and people frequently meet there to alert and debate about great causes (environmental protection, fight against inequalities, against wars, etc.). As you can see, the Centro Sociale Rivolta is a cultural place dedicated to all citizens who love tolerance and freedom.

This tiny bar dug beneath the Basilica Palladiana is full of charm! We love the almost mystical subterranean atmosphere of a vaulted cellar with ancient exposed beams. This is one of the favorite addresses of young Vicentines, especially those in their thirties. Relaxed atmosphere, modern music, full glasses (preferably of Spritz, at only €3.50!) and delicious aperitif cicheti topped with a thousand and one original garnishes: smoked salmon, Parma ham, gorgonzola and walnuts, grilled vegetables, eggs and anchovies..

At first glance, this café located near the Olympic Theater might not stand out from the others. And yet, its beautiful terrace shared between the arcades and the piazza mysteriously attracts the walker when it's time for a break. A slightly shaded address where locals and tourists alike enjoy sitting down. One comes here to drink an espresso or a caffè latte, to enjoy a salad or a well seasoned pasta dish. Typical regional savory snacks are also available at aperitivo time.

The owner Mauro Lorenzon is a reason to spend the evening in his wine bar. He will tell you everything about the local wine production and will open any of his bottles for you. If you ask nicely, he will happily and expertly pour a good bottle of prosecco. And when hunger strikes, seafood (including oysters from the lagoon), spaghetti with squid ink, ravioli, buffalo mozzarella and tomatoes will be among the dishes suggested on the menu.

Perched on the hillside of Castel San Pietro, this restaurant has a beautiful terrace set in a large garden, overlooking the Teatro Romano and the rooftops of Verona. The view dominates the whole city, offering sublime sunsets. After climbing the long staircase leading up to the castle, it is the perfect stop for a spritz or a well-mixed cocktail. As an accompaniment, crunchy little pizzas covered with tomato, string cheese and cold cuts. Among the dishes, burgers and pasta remain the best choices.

Located just a few meters from the thousand-year-old church of Santa Mater Domini, this little neighborhood café is also a place steeped in history... and stories. It's a family business that has been going strong with the same enthusiasm since 1937. Antonio, the current owner, has taken up the torch from his elders to continue serving his clientele, from cappuccino-croissant regulars to students looking for an aperitif and evening concerts. At lunchtime, thanks to the takeaway service available at the counter, you'll find something to quench your hunger without breaking the bank.

Zanzibar looks like both a small newspaper kiosk in the square and a short-lived beach bar, with a few tables (all outside) under umbrellas and commercial music. The clientele is young, even if a few grannies come there to chat. Everything that is eaten in a beach bar is there: hot-dogs, hamburgers, panini, slices of pizza (prefer hot-dogs!). Refresh yourself with slushies, cold coffees or homemade ice cream. Like everywhere else, here too you can drink beer and spritz.

A delightful little café that occupies nothing less than one of the terraces of the old kitchen of the Foresteria (outbuilding), in the heart of Villa Valmarana ai Nani. From here, there is a beautiful view of the stables of the villa and of the Vicenza valley dominated by the Basilica of Monte Berico. With its refined decor and a piece of Tiepolo's fresco still visible on one of its walls, the café is open to everyone, whether you are visiting the villa or just passing through. Perfect for a coffee break or a refreshing drink in an 18th century atmosphere.

Although only accessible for a few months of the year, the unique setting of this café deserves your full attention. In fact, it is an ephemeral bar that takes up residence in high season on the roof terrace of the Palladian Basilica, on the roof of Vicenza so to speak. The view is breathtaking, the architecture and the ancient statues are sublime. You can sit up there for hours and contemplate the landscape while sipping a cocktail.

Beneath the arcades of the Basilica Palladiana, here's a pleasant bar that's both vintage and cosy. In the evening, candles light up the tables and jazzy music wafts through the air. The icing on the cake is the occasional live concert. It's the ideal bar for a quiet chat over an aperitif after a day's sightseeing. The establishment also serves as a restaurant, so you're more likely to go there for a club sandwich lunch or a generous brunch (daily 11am-2pm, 10am-2pm at weekends).

Ozio is a modern and pleasant café with a large terrace in one of Castello's most emblematic squares. Umbrellas are a must in the summer, with sunshine guaranteed from morning to night. Come and sit down to watch the passers-by and relax at brunch time (good pastries and savory bites), at lunch time (croque-madame, club sandwich, salad...) or at tea/coffee time at 5 pm or at the evening aperitif, with a glass of prosecco and some homemade cicchetti to end the day. Young and smiling staff.

A shady terrace in a small square, away from the hustle and bustle, but still a stone's throw from the Barcella shopping mall and Emilio Ferreto square, the heart of Mestre. This makes this small restaurant a good location by nature. At this table you can enjoy homemade pizzas, sea salads or beef carpaccios. All dishes are carefully prepared and presented. To accompany them, you can choose from a wide variety of craft beers and natural wines.