One of the joys of Umbria is the food and the wine. Outside of Assisi and Orvieto, restaurants are all aimed at locals, and are usually good value and excellent quality. You rarely see a service charge, and two people can dine nicely on €40. Or, 4 pizzas, a litre of wine, water and bread can be €40-50.
First on your list will be Le Cerquelle. It's the closest to Papiano, just outside the village on the road to Marsciano. It was taken over by new owners in February, and we were pleased with the new menu at that time. It now seems to have gone from strength to strength. It has re-opened the pool terrace for Summer dining as well. It is huge, and as is often the case, if everyone is outside, inside will be empty. we have noticed that they also run an occasional dance evening on a Saturday...keep in touch by liking them on Facebook here Le-Cerquelle-Ristorante-Pizzeria.
One we always try to visit on Mondays is Rosatelli's in Marsciano. This is a true example of where to spend the lunchtime hours, with a great 2-course fixed price menu, and beautiful pasta. We haven't been there for dinner but I am sure it is marvellous.
When we fancy something easy and relaxed, where better than Oasi Villaggio, also in Marsciano, just on the outskirts. Tables are set up either in the courtyard, under the terrace or inside if its a bit cold. There's a huge choice, great pizzas, and it feels really - well, just easy!
A final Marsicano choice is the BeHappy, which is on the main street, just above the Tecnocasa and behind the ceramics museum - link to a tripadvisor review here. What sets this place apart is that it always has an interesting and diverse menu, with tastes you might not see elsewhere - and they truly are Happy!
Heading a little further afield, in the lower, newer part of Deruta there is Il Borghetto, a review of which can be found on tripadvisor here. It's easy to miss it, as it is in a sidestreet and quite small, but you should see the sign next to a small grocery store, and you can usually park outside. Run by a couple, they speak good English and provide a short menu with both local specialities and Northern Italian mountain foods...a chance to try polenta is rare in this part of Umbria. We always aim to eat if possible off the chalk board specials. Very charming.
On to two much smarter restaurants - firstly, L'Antico Forziere, just on the other side of the valley. A very special place, excellent food, service, atmosphere..the full package for a smart dinner. Their speciality is puddings, which they ask you to order at the start. They are a real work of art! Price wise, we are moving into the €50-60 per head for three courses, water and a reasonable wine.
And just a bit further away, in Torgiano is Le Tre Vaselle, a 5* hotel with a very good quality restaurant. As you may imagine for a town devoted to his wines, Lungarotti product is high on the list, and usually served if you partake of their tasting menus. Formal Italian dining at its best. More like €60-80 per head here, but worth it for a blowout!
Finally, a few thoughts that may help when considering where to dine out.
First on your list will be Le Cerquelle. It's the closest to Papiano, just outside the village on the road to Marsciano. It was taken over by new owners in February, and we were pleased with the new menu at that time. It now seems to have gone from strength to strength. It has re-opened the pool terrace for Summer dining as well. It is huge, and as is often the case, if everyone is outside, inside will be empty. we have noticed that they also run an occasional dance evening on a Saturday...keep in touch by liking them on Facebook here Le-Cerquelle-Ristorante-Pizzeria.
One we always try to visit on Mondays is Rosatelli's in Marsciano. This is a true example of where to spend the lunchtime hours, with a great 2-course fixed price menu, and beautiful pasta. We haven't been there for dinner but I am sure it is marvellous.
When we fancy something easy and relaxed, where better than Oasi Villaggio, also in Marsciano, just on the outskirts. Tables are set up either in the courtyard, under the terrace or inside if its a bit cold. There's a huge choice, great pizzas, and it feels really - well, just easy!
A final Marsicano choice is the BeHappy, which is on the main street, just above the Tecnocasa and behind the ceramics museum - link to a tripadvisor review here. What sets this place apart is that it always has an interesting and diverse menu, with tastes you might not see elsewhere - and they truly are Happy!
Heading a little further afield, in the lower, newer part of Deruta there is Il Borghetto, a review of which can be found on tripadvisor here. It's easy to miss it, as it is in a sidestreet and quite small, but you should see the sign next to a small grocery store, and you can usually park outside. Run by a couple, they speak good English and provide a short menu with both local specialities and Northern Italian mountain foods...a chance to try polenta is rare in this part of Umbria. We always aim to eat if possible off the chalk board specials. Very charming.
On to two much smarter restaurants - firstly, L'Antico Forziere, just on the other side of the valley. A very special place, excellent food, service, atmosphere..the full package for a smart dinner. Their speciality is puddings, which they ask you to order at the start. They are a real work of art! Price wise, we are moving into the €50-60 per head for three courses, water and a reasonable wine.
And just a bit further away, in Torgiano is Le Tre Vaselle, a 5* hotel with a very good quality restaurant. As you may imagine for a town devoted to his wines, Lungarotti product is high on the list, and usually served if you partake of their tasting menus. Formal Italian dining at its best. More like €60-80 per head here, but worth it for a blowout!
Finally, a few thoughts that may help when considering where to dine out.
- You don't need to order a huge dinner. An antipasti + pasta or antipasti + meat course is usually sufficient.
- If what you want is simply a pizza and a wine, that's fine too! Note, pizza is usually evenings only.
- Antipasti can sometimes be huge..the price is a good clue. If an 'antipasti misti' costs more than a 'primi' of pasta, it's usually a full mixed plate of bruschette, meats, cheese...
- Puddings are not the high point for most places! Often there is an ice cream pudding (eg a chocolate ice cream), maybe a 'cake' which is rarely exciting, and maybe some fruit. A lot of Italians would usually have a coffee after the main course, then have something at home or in a gelateria (not that you'll see one in rural Umbria, very much a city thing)
- Wine is not expensive..bottles are maybe €10-12, ie the same as UK shop price. House wine is even cheaper and you ask for a quarto, mezzo-litro or litro of red or white (rosso, bianco). €6-8 for a litre.
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