The Circolino in Città Alta

The City Food and Wine

11 November 2024

The Bergamo Circolino is an emblematic place located in the heart of the Città Alta, just a few steps from Piazza Vecchia – The Old Square. This space is known to tourists nowadays as a restaurant and pizzeria, but it is also a social centre and a meeting point for the local community, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds.

One of the restaurant’s defining features is certainly its extended 7-day-a-week opening hours from 8 am to 1 am, which is undoubtedly a significant added value for all the tourists looking for a place to eat something at unusual times, compared to our usual lunch or dinner times.

The Bergamo Alta Circolino – Entrance

The Bergamo Circolino – Its history

‘Il Circolino’ restaurant in Bergamo is managed by the Cooperativa Città Alta, founded in 1981 as a non-profit social cooperative with the aim of allowing the elderly and retired people to have a place to gather at a time of great transformation for the city.

For many years, the cooperative has promoted integration and support for people in need, with a focus on work and social reintegration projects.

The Circolino restaurant in Bergamo Alta is located in a historic building in Vicolo Sant’Agata: it is a former monastery that was later converted into a prison, and then recovered by the Cooperative to be transformed into a cosy and uniquely styled venue.

Today, the restaurant still maintains the authentic, rustic atmosphere of the city, with very spacious and cosy rooms, stone arches and a large courtyard that in the summer months becomes a popular meeting place. Its location, just a few steps from the most iconic sights of the Upper Town, makes it the ideal place to stop for lunch during a city tour, on foot or by tuk tuk.

The Città Alta Circolino – Inner Room

The Città Alta Circolino – its menu

The food at the Circolino restaurant in Bergamo Alta is simple but genuine, with a menu that features traditional Bergamo dishes, such as casoncelli and polenta, as well as pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven and a selection of Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant’s philosophy is to offer quality food at affordable prices, in line with its mission of inclusion and community support.

The ingredients are genuine and come from an established network of local suppliers, consisting of farms that raise animals in the wild and with organic farming practices, while the wines come from wineries in the nearby Valcalepio. The restaurant also aims at highlighting local artisanal breweries.

Bergamo Circolino – External Area

Cultural Events

As well as for its restaurant, the Circolino is famous for its cultural and social initiatives, and it organises events, musical evenings and activities involving both residents and visitors to the city – it also provides a space that can be reserved for private events such as exhibitions, theatre performances, conferences, meetings and corporate events.

For instance, between October and November there are several presentations of new books. Check the Event Calendar to keep you updated.

The Circolino is a true pillar of Bergamo Alta’s social and cultural life, keeping the soul of the city alive through sharing and solidarity.

The Città Alta Circolino – How to get there

The circolino is located in Vicolo Sant’Agata 19 and can be reached from the high funicular station in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe and then on foot, walking along Via Gombito first and then along Via Colleoni, until you have to turn right into the alley that leads to the Circolino entrance.

If you come by bus, from the colle Aperto bus stop you will have to walk along Piazza della Cittadella until you reach Piazza Mascheroni, and then take Via Colleoni to Vicolo Sant’Agata.

Our Tuk Tuk Tours will give you the possibility of arriving right in front of Vicolo Sant’Agata, just a few metres from the entrance to Ristorante il Circolino.

Vicolo Sant’Agata 19 – Upper Town of Bergamo

Where to park

There are several parking options if you want to go and eat at the Circolino:

Sant’Alessandro Parking Area: it is the closest to the Circolino, but it has limited parking spaces. As it is very convenient, it can fill up quickly, especially in busy periods. It is located on the right when crossing Porta S.Alessandro from the Colle Aperto.
Alla Fara Parking Area: it will take you about 8/10 minutes to reach the Circolino on foot from here. It is more spacious than other options and it will give you the possibility to enjoy a pleasant walk in the Upper Town.
Garage San Marco Parking Area (Città Bassa): if you prefer not to go up to the Upper Town by car, you can leave your car in one of the parking areas in the Lower Town, such as the one in Piazza della Repubblica, and then take the funicular to get to the Upper Town.