Traditional places to eat in and around Urbino

Urbino is one of the most important centers of the Italian Renaissance- the architectural heritage of which the city still fully preserves today. Its historical center is in the UNESCO’ World Heritage list since 1998. Urbino should be in your list of cities to visit if you are interested in Italian culture. Knowing some** places to eat in and around the city **might be useful.

Ristorante Pizzeria Enoteca Big Ben

It is located along the main street of the historic center of Urbania. It was completely renovated in 1976; however, it maintained the atmosphere of the old country inns. The interiors present exposed stone walls and rustic furnishings. It has a wood-burning oven. It opened in 1890 as a tavern serving kitchen by a typical "urbaniese," called Balon. Over time it has transformed by adding, in early '900s, a coffee and tea room. Today it is a restaurant that offers a wide range of choice for dishes based on local ingredients such as mushrooms, truffles, cheeses. The wine shop offers many good quality wines. Urbania boasts a** Palazzo Ducale "Dei Brancaleoni"** of the 1200s, renovated and expanded in 1500s by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The Dukes of Urbino used it as summer stay and hunting residence.

Pizzeria Il Buco  

It is located in the higher area of ​​the city, Ducale of Urbino, near the University’s botanic garden. The building, which houses it, is part of the architectural complex that includes the Church of San Francesco, dating back to 1300s. The small interior space is furnished simply: there are two peninsula shaped tables where people eat mostly** pizza**. University students are the main costumers, but it is also known among the many tourists, who visit ​​thanks to the numerous awards won for the quality of the slice pizzas and the crescia.

Caffetteria del Centro

 It overlooks one of the squares of the city paved in stone, in the historic center of the village, not distant from the Rocca Ubaldinesca. Inside there is a small **tea room **furnished in modern style, with tables and sofas, and a summer veranda overlooking the square. The business was founded in 1965 by Felice Ercolani. At first, it was a tavern and was known as "Osteria della Rocca." In the 1960s it became a coffee shop. The venue was chosen as a set location for two films and documentaries. During the second war world, in the Rocca Ubaldinesca, the professor Pasquale Rotondi, hid and saved from being stolen, almost 6500 art masterpieces coming from all over Italy.

Compagnia del Venga L’Ost

It is located in a rural village street close by** Urbino**. It still retains the old appearance with low houses and cobblestone bricks. The interior doesn’t really stand out for its furnishing but maintains the genuine atmosphere of the local restaurants. Over the years it has changed the denomination several times. Today it has the name of an ancient game. It is very well-known and frequented by locals. For some years now, the club ("Compagnia") has been organizing, in the spring, a historical re-enactment of this game, with races through the streets and fields of the country. The game ends with a final meal made of typical dishes of the area. The game “Venga l’ost” consists of throwing a bowl the most original way possible towards a target. When everyone played, the innkeeper offers drinks, collects the winnings, and makes sure the debts are paid.