The best bars and cafés Vicenza

Four generations of craftsmen have made the Ferracina pastry shop famous. It is located behind the Basilica Palladiana. It is an ideal address to have breakfast with a cappuccino and stuffed buns, or to have tea at five o'clock... It's up to you to find the best time. Regulars flock here on Sundays (after mass) to get the dessert for the family meal. Specialties of the house: the mille-feuille, the fruit petits fours and the baba au rhum.

Historical café of Vicenza, opened since 1943, the Gran Caffè Garibaldi is at the same time a café, a restaurant and an ice cream parlour. The place, which was completely refurbished in 2012, now has a rather design decor where some special Murano glass windows still sparkle here and there. The room on the first floor and the terrace overlooking Piazza dei Signori are very pleasant at lunchtime or for an aperitif, while upstairs, the Matteo Grandi restaurant has just won its first Michelin star. Experimental cuisine for those who love it.

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).

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.

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).