Padova Restaurants

I chose this outside cafe as it was opposite the Square where a free concert was about to take place.

There were quite a few cafes here, with their tables closely packed together.

Each place was equally busy, so I just sat where I found an empty table.

It was a nice location opposite the Baptistery of Duomo, with a lively friendly atmosphere.

A good 'people watching' place.

The menu had a wide selection of drinks including Aperitifs. A lot of my fellow diners were drinking brightly coloured long drinks, which I'd seen being drunk in Venice, and which I was uncertain as to what they were.

I've since learned that Aperol is the bright orange aperitif which is mixed with white wine or soda and/ or prosecco to make a spritz, and Crodino is a non-alcoholic version.

Since this trip, I've become a big fan of Aperol Spritz whenever visiting the Veneto region!

Years ago when I was 18 and on my first Italian holiday to Lake Como, my friends and I thought that Campari and Soda was a sophisticated 'grown up drink' and promptly ordered a glass each to sip while we lounged at the lido.

Yeukk!!!! I didn't like it at all.

Since then over the years my taste has changed and I no longer like sweet drinks, preferring a pint of Guinness or Bitter or a dry wine. So I thought I'd give it another try.

Well - I still don't like Campari and Soda! I finished my glass, but probably wouldn't try another -I was a bit disappointed that I didn't like it.

Favorite Dish: I enjoyed my sandwich - a Panino Bresaola which cost 4 euros.

Bresaola is salted and air dried beef, which is a speciality of the Lombardy area of Northern Italy. I know that I enjoyed it, but I can't remember what else was in the panino. I think it was accompanied with some potato crisps.

My Campari and Soda was 3 euros

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There you are sitting in the piazza and a strange mood hits you, you begin to wish for spicy salsa, a margarita, corn tortillas and a little Mexican background music. You need a recharge!
El Algave is the place to go as the female owner is a Mexican who can cook you up some tacos while her Italian husband makes you a margarita (not watered down) using a special triple sec made in Padova, while you relax in a nice atmosphere that they have created with wall hangings and decorations from Mexico.
These owners struggled to make a go of it in Padova and now have a devoted clientele who help make this ristorante a success. It was not easy to entice Italians so used to "Italian Cuisine" to try something new, and especially here in the north of Italy, something spicy. But they did it and now the place is packed. The last time I was there they were celebrating a Mexican Independence Day with tamales that were to die for, and there were so many people that they almost ran out of tamales.
Being from the southwest of the U.S. I am grateful to find this restaurant and I go here often to satisfy my missing Mexican food that is so plentiful in Colorado through California.

Favorite Dish: Tacos Pastor
Tamales
Margarita
Your won't find the menu exactly like Mexican restaurants in the U.S. as they come from Mexico and make it like they were taught by their parents in Mexico.

Having restaurants like this in Padova increases the chance that we will find corn tortillas and salsa made without sugar in the stores here.
Masa???maybe in ten years.

Please tell them the American Painter Guy sent you.

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Expect to spend a slow food evening being treated to food prepared by 2 award winning chefs who own Fattoria Danieletto with their parents. They don't stay in the kitchen but will come out and talk to you about their creations, serve the home made wine, and bring the dishes to you table with explanations of how they were prepared.
This restaurant is located in a suburb of Padova in the hills called Colli Euganei, and in the summer you will eat in the coolness of the breeze off the hills, in the winter you will eat inside.
They grow their own grapes, make their own sausages of many types, soak their cheese in wine for one of the cheeses, and serve the smoothest tasting pasta with gentle flavors that you will ever have tasted.
We have eaten here many times and the quality, the flavors, the textures are outstanding. You must make a reservation as they have a limit to the number of patrons a night. They serve on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. 25 minutes from center of Padova.
In the summer, even though the day has been hot, ladies should bring a sweater, as the cool air flows off the hills nicely.
This is a day to eat lightly, and come hungry.
Photos below include the owner Alfonso.

Favorite Dish: There will be no menu choices, as they prepare the foods for that day. Don't worry there will be many selections and even if you skip one, you will not be hungry at the end.
Ravioli with spinach and cheeses, poppy seeds on top with butter
Rabbit cooked in a roll with other meats and herbs, with to die for sauce
Their different meats, sliced with home made panigacci (tortillas Tuscan style) and sauces.
Do NOT EXPECT tourists here. This place is frequented by locals only.
They speak some English, and are fluent in Veneto.
Menu also changes to fit growing season of local vegetables, and winter/summer dining.

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Pontecorvo Ristorante/Pizzeria

Hidden away on the southeast side of Prato della Valle behind the church San Antonio is this delightful ristorante. Frequented only by locals who like their food cooked perfectly.
There is seating outside which is nice in the evening, but the decor inside is quite pleasant, too.
You will notice two other restaurants across the street, also frequented by locals, but this one is the most popular.
Pontecorvo is closed on Sundays.
I have included some fotos of dishes they serve, so that you can see how well presented they make their dishes.
There is parking in front, but like all Padovan places, it can be a small wait for a spot.

Favorite Dish: Do you frequent slow food places. This is the place for you.
They specialize in fish items, but have other specialties on the menu.

The entrance of this Ristoranto Pizzerie dont give it justice, it is located in a busy street out of the city center and you cant tell from the outside if the place would be nice or not. BUT once you open the door you are pleasantly surprise!!
The ambience is nice, few tables surrounded by nice decorarion, streets light and plants give you the feeling you are in a outdoor terrace not indoor.
The weiters are very friendly and usefull when you ask them help to make your choice. They serve Pizzas, salads and italian food. Everything is well cooked and presented.
Closed on Sunday.

Favorite Dish: Even if i tried more than once their restaurant specialties and i love it alll, I like to come to this place for their pizza!!! The croust is perfectly raised and all the ingredients are fresh and high quality.
My favourite pizza here is a Margherita with bufala mozzarella, so simple but WOW ... SO GOOD!!!

This is one of those places that only the locals know!
It is a double face restaurant because during the week at lunchtime it is a place where workers go to eat and they have a "day's menu" for fixed cost. On the weekends and evenings it is a neighbourhood restaurant. One feels a warm feeling while dining and the food is great with good choice of local traditional dishes, pasta, meat or fish.

Favorite Dish: On Friday you might find me having fried mixed fish or baccalà alla vicentina and warm sea salad. I go here quite often for lunch.

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After wandering around Padova, I was getting tired and thirsty. So as I was passing through this Piazza I saw an empty table at one of the outdoor cafes.

As I waited for my freshly squeezed orange juice, I enjoyed just sitting and watching the activities around me. This was the time of the University Graduation ceremonies.

Earlier I'd witnessed some students in fancy dress being covered in flour and water, while they drank from wine bottles as they endeavored to read from a large sheet of paper.

A group of girls came into the square and headed for the cafe tables, singing and chanting at intervals. One girl was in 'odd 'clothing and she was offering a plastic box containing what looked like cubes of cheese and sausage chunks to some of the men at the nearby tables, their choice of morsel resulting in cheers from the girls. Well I'm not sure what it was about, but imagine it was a 'dare' or forfeit or one of those 'amusing student pranks'!

My orange juice was very refreshing.

Fortified, I left for more sightseeing. I passed by the cafe and shop that I'd been sat outside. It looked quite an interesting place inside. With coffee and biscuits etc to buy.

Favorite Dish: I only had a freshly squeezed orange juice, which was refreshing for 4.80 euros. It was a pleasant place to sit and watch the world go by

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Very cosy restaurant, built inside a old farm, the dining room is in two different floors and there is also a outdoor part used during summer. The menu change according with the seasons and consist in a wide selection of local and international food.
Closed on Monday, during week end it can be quite busy so it would be better to make a reservation.

Favorite Dish: Zucchini flower stuffed with caprino
Mixed fried fish
Branzino with crunch potatoes
Grilled bufalo steak!!!! if you found this eat it! you will be not disappointed!