Traditional Trattorias in Bergamo: conviviality and ancient roots

Food and Wine I più letti

24 September 2024

Bergamo’s traditional trattorias are true sanctuaries of the traditional Orobica cuisine, where the simplicity of ingredients is combined with the wisdom of recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. Hidden among the cobbled alleys of the Città Alta or in the lively streets of Bergamo Bassa, these places will offer you an authentic culinary experience.

Bergamo’s trattorias are not just restaurants, but places where time appears to have stopped, where you can rediscover the pleasure of conviviality and authentic hospitality, served with a good glass of Valcalepio wine, which is produced in the surrounding hills. A visit to Bergamo cannot be considered complete without the experience of a lunch, or a dinner, in one of its trattorias.

A cosy atmosphere and traditional dishes

When you walk into a traditional trattoria in Bergamo, you are greeted by a cosy and warm atmosphere, generally consisting of rustic furniture, hardwood tables and classic checked tablecloths – and sometimes you will find yourself under a rounded ceiling with exposed stonework.

The aromas wafting through the air are of robust and tasty dishes, prepared with ingredients that are typical of the city and its region:

polenta taragna,
Bergamo casoncelli,
porcini mushrooms,
braised meat and game

are just some of the specialties that appear on the menus.

Polenta, the undisputed queen of Bergamo tables, is served in a thousand different variations – but polenta taragna, enriched with local varieties of cheese such as Branzi or Taleggio, is a must for every visitor. In addition to this, casoncelli, which are ravioli filled with meat and vegetables, seasoned with melted butter, bacon and sage, are a celebration of traditional home cooking.

There are also meat-based main courses, such as rabbit alla bergamasca, slowly stewed with wine and herbs, or tripe, prepared following the ancient country traditions. Bergamo’s trattorias are also the ideal place to discover typical local cheeses, such as Strachitunt or Bitto (from the Brembana Valley).

Your meal will end with some traditional desserts, such as the Donizetti Cake, dedicated to the great composer himself and made with almonds, chocolate and rum, and polenta e osei, a dessert whose name recalls a staple of the traditional cuisine, but which is actually a soft sponge cake covered in almond paste and chocolate.

Polenta with Mushrooms, a typical Bergamo trattoria dish

The Best Traditional Trattorias in Bergamo

Trattoria Parietti

Located in the Upper Town, in Via Costantino Beltrami, Trattoria Parietti has been a Bergamo institution since 1924. In a rustic and cosy setting, here you can enjoy traditional dishes such as casoncelli alla bergamasca, Grandma Ines’s meatloaf, and polenta taragna, served with local cheeses and cured meats. Its simple but carefully prepared cuisine reflects the love for local raw ingredients, which are the absolute stars here. It also offers special menus for ceremonies. It is open for lunch and dinner, and in the evenings the kitchen is open until 10 p.m. Website

Antica Trattoria La Colombina

Among the traditional trattorias in Bergamo Alta, La Colombina stands out for its strategic position, which offers a spectacular panoramic view over the city and the surrounding plains. This trattoria is famous for its genuine homemade cuisine, where the authentic flavours of Bergamo’s traditional recipes are enhanced and exalted in every dish. Do not miss its fresh homemade pasta, the bresaola, the traditional cheeses of the Orobic Alps and the meat prepared following the traditional recipes, such as the vitello tonnato (veal with tuna sauce) della Colombina, all accompanied by a rich selection of local wines. Like most trattorias, it is closed on Mondays. Website

Trattoria Caironi

In the Lower Town you will find Trattoria Caironi, popular with fans of regional gastronomy, both visitors and locals. It is located in Via Torretta, quite close to the railway station and to Parco Suardi. A very traditional dish on its menu is the stracotto d’asino – donkey stew, which of course will be served with polenta taragna, vegetables and Borretane onions.

Trattoria d’Ambrosio Da Giuliana

This traditional trattoria in Bergamo Bassa was founded in 1943, and since then it has maintained the spirit of a gathering place with a convivial atmosphere – a place where the city’s different social classes converge, from students, professionals and politicians to workers, employees and artists. The cuisine at Trattoria Da Giuliana is genuine and simple. The highlights include speck rolls stuffed with scamorza cheese au gratin and the must-try baked pork knuckle with polenta. Website

Taleggio – Typical cheese that can be found in traditional trattorias in Bergamo and its surroundings

Trattoria Sant’Ambroeus

This traditional Bergamo Alta trattoria is located right on Piazza Vecchia – the Old Square, one of the city’s landmarks. Trattoria Sant’Ambroeus is a tribute to the Lombard tradition, and its menu is a feast of local flavours: from casoncelli and pasta with beans, to braised meat and roasts, everything is prepared with care and following ancient recipes. Its rustic, warm setting offers a convivial experience, typical of the taverns of bygone days. Website

Trattoria del Teatro

Located in Piazza Mascheroni, in the Upper Town of Bergamo, this trattoria still has the charm of another era, with an almost unaltered style of décor. The menu is simple but extremely authentic. You have to try the baccalà (codfish) mantecato with polenta.

Trattoria da Ornella

Another trattoria in Bergamo Alta, Da Ornella is famous for its cosy atmosphere and typical dishes, which of course include casoncelli alla bergamasca, but also rabbit alla cacciatora, and ingredients such as porcini mushrooms – all to be served with a good red wine.

Antica Osteria del Vino Buono

Strategically located just a few steps from the Upper Town funicular railway stop, the Antica Osteria del Vino Buono – Ancient Tavern of the Good Wine – stands out for its family management, the friendliness of its staff, and the beautiful interior with its exposed stone ceiling that offers a rustic and traditional feel – one that will immediately make guests feel at home. It provides a selection of traditional and genuine Bergamo dishes, such as homemade casoncelli and polenta taragna. Another positive feature is that some menu options are gluten free. Website