Where to eat in Vicenza: baccalà, bigoli and Palladian dining
Complete guide on where to eat in Vicenza: from baccalà alla vicentina to bigoli, the best osterias, trattorias and venues between the old town and the Berici Hills.
Vicenza: the city of baccalà and Palladio
Vicenza is a city where Palladio's architecture meets a solid and proud gastronomic tradition. The locals have an almost religious relationship with baccalà — they are nicknamed "magnagati" (cat-eaters), but their sacred dish actually comes from the seas of Norway.
Signature dishes
Baccalà alla vicentina
The quintessential identity dish: stockfish (not salt cod) slow-cooked in milk with onions, anchovies, Parmesan and olive oil, served with white polenta. Every osteria has its own handed-down recipe, and the Confraternita del Bacalà guards the official version. Served on Fridays in most trattorias.
Bigoli con l'arna
Thick, rough fresh pasta dressed with duck ragù. A powerful peasant dish typical of autumn and winter. The bigoli's texture catches the sauce perfectly.
Risi e bisi
Rice with fresh peas, pancetta and broth: halfway between a risotto and a dense soup. Traditionally eaten in spring when peas are at peak sweetness.
Sopressa vicentina DOP
Soft, fragrant salami eaten in thick slices with fresh bread. Every butcher in the Berici Hills produces their own version.
Where to eat: the areas
Old town — Piazza dei Signori and surrounds
The area around the Palladian Basilica and Corso Palladio concentrates restaurants and osterias for all tastes. Historic osterias hide in the side streets: look for those with a dark wooden counter and cicchetti on display.
Contrà Pescherie Vecchie
The old fish market street, now a zone of characterful venues with outdoor tables. Excellent for an aperitivo with Vicentine cicchetti.
Borgo Berga and south zone
Residential quarter with neighbourhood trattorias where prices are lower and the clientele is almost exclusively local.
Berici Hills
A few kilometres from the centre, the hills host agriturismi and panoramic restaurants where you eat among Tai Rosso vineyards.
Budget tips
- Old town osterias offer cicchetti at 1.50-3 euros each: a full aperitivo-dinner for 10-15 euros
- Lunch menus in trattorias cost 12-16 euros
- Baccalà alla vicentina costs 14-20 euros in restaurants, 8-10 euros at village festivals
- Vicentine pizzerias are excellent and affordable: 8-12 euros for pizza and beer