Where to eat in the Upper Town of Bergamo: 9 Restaurants you cannot miss

Food and Wine

19 July 2024

The Upper Town of Bergamo is a medieval jewel that stands on a hill, offering breathtaking views and a unique atmosphere. Walking along its cobbled streets, you can find several restaurants that offer an unforgettable culinary experience, characterised by a combination of traditional and innovative styles. Before discovering where to eat in the Upper Town of Bergamo, let’s take a look at the typical local cuisine and at the distinctive features of the Upper Town’s restaurants.

Eating in the Upper Town of Bergamo

Traditional Bergamo cuisine

Bergamo Alta Restaurants are generally specialised in traditional Bergamo cuisine, which celebrates the authentic flavours of the territory.

Among the most iconic dishes there are certainly the casoncelli alla bergamasca, a type of pasta with a meat and vegetable stuffing, seasoned with butter, bacon and sage, and the scarpinòcc di parre, which are ravioli filled with cheese.

Another specialty is the polenta taragna, prepared with corn flour and buckwheat, often accompanied by local cheeses such as Taleggio and Branzi.

Bergamo Casoncelli

Atmosphere and Setting

The setting of the Upper Town’s restaurants is characterised by a discreet elegance and historic charm. Many restaurants are located in ancient buildings, with their interiors preserving original architectural details such as beamed ceilings and stone walls.

This combination of history and gastronomy creates a unique and evocative atmosphere, perfect for a romantic dinner or a special evening; a journey into the past, while sitting inside rooms with ancient vaulted ceilings – known as ‘silter’ – or vaults decorated and frescoed with the craftsmanship of the past.

In addition to their excellent cuisine, the local restaurants offer a wide selection of both local and international wines. The wine cellars in the area provide fine wines that are the perfect match for the dishes on offer.

Attention to detail and a passion for good food make every visit to this part of the city a complete and satisfying culinary experience. Let’s continue our journey in order to finally discover where to eat in the Upper Town of Bergamo.

Upper Town of Bergamo – historic centre

The best Bergamo Alta Restaurants

Da Mimmo

For decades, the Da Mimmo restaurant has been a synonym for gastronomic excellence, attracting both locals and tourists with its cosy atmosphere and impeccable service. Its cuisine is a tribute to the Bergamo tradition, with a menu that changes seasonally in order to reflect the freshness and quality of local ingredients. Website

Da Franco Pizzeria and Restaurant

Just a few steps from the Piazza Vecchia – the Old Square – you will find the Da Franco Restaurant, which serves dishes with the freshest ingredients, including seafood specialties. This is the ideal stop during a tour of Bergamo’s Upper Town. Website

Il Ducale Restaurant

This restaurant in the Upper Town of Bergamo offers a tasting menu with top-quality products that change with the seasons. Inside the restaurant there is also a wine bar, with a cellar containing up to 150 wine labels. Website

Al Donizetti Restaurant

This restaurant is a superb combination of the typical Bergamo cuisine, an excellent wine cellar and a lovely location with its porticoed terrace, where you can enjoy casoncelli, polenta and some delicious traditional desserts.

Cozzi Winery

This small and cosy restaurant in the Upper Town of Bergamo offers a combination of a traditional setting and innovative dishes with a genuine taste. It is located in Via Bartolomeo Colleoni, one of the most charming streets in the Upper Town. Website

La Marianna Restaurant

Located in a spectacular position along the city wall boulevard, just in front of the Adalberto tower, La Marianna restaurant features spacious rooms and a roof garden, which are located on the second floor of the pastry shop bearing the same name – the one where in 1961 owner Enrico Panattoni invented the famous stracciatella ice cream. Website

Polenta Taragna

The Upper Town Circolino

An affordable place with excellent food in the historic centre of Bergamo. The menu features some local tasty dishes, and the prices are relatively low for the area, to give you the opportunity to enjoy a delicious polenta, beef stew, and even some rabbit. Website

Mimì – The House of Flavours

The budget-friendly sister of the famous Bergamo restaurant Da Mimmo has a more informal and accessible atmosphere. The cosy interior features tables covered with traditional checked tablecloths, and the shelves surrounding the dining room are packed with local products that can be purchased after a satisfying meal. The menu includes both very typical Lombardy options and some popular Italian dishes. Website

Il Sole Restaurant

This is one of the oldest restaurants in Bergamo’s Upper Town, equipped with a wood-fired pizza oven. It features several evocative locations – including an interior portico – which make it suitable for a variety of celebrations and events. Website

Although they are not actual restaurants, the following two Trattorias deserve a special mention. We will have the opportunity to describe in more detail the Trattorias and Osterias in the Upper Town in a separate article.

Parietti Trattoria

Located in Via Costantino Beltrami, this trattoria is popular for its traditional cuisine and cosy atmosphere. Website

La Colombina Ancient Trattoria

Nestled in a beautiful medieval setting near the birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti, this trattoria is famous for its panoramic terrace and its interior dining rooms with an atmosphere dating back to another era. Website

Where to eat in the Upper Town of Bergamo

In conclusion, for those looking for a place to eat in the Upper Town of Bergamo, the choice is wide and very high quality as well. The restaurants and trattorias will take you on a gastronomic journey through the traditional flavours, all surrounded by a fascinating historic setting.

Whether for a casual dinner or a gourmet evening, The Upper Town of Bergamo never disappoints its visitors’ expectations.