Where to Eat
Italy in general, and Umbria in particular, is famous for its gastronomic treats. Italians do not need to be taught the merits of Slow Food or the importance of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Whether it is pasta with truffles, lamb grilled over the embers, or an aromatic stew of wild boar, the following restaurants (some of our favourites) all offer the authentic taste of good cooking in Umbria. Alternatively, you might like to sample what’s on offer at one of the many food-related festivals in the area, or to try your hand at creating some of the local dishes yourself. Our page about Local events and Markets tells you where to go to find fresh produce and local festivals celebrating the specialist fare of the region. We keep a generous array of cookbooks at both houses for the use of guests.
We list some of our favourite restaurants below, in the order of their distance, by car, from Casa Nova.
I Mandriani
Calzolaro - Loc. Comunaglia, 336
+39 075 9302310 (after 6.30pm) or +39 075 8504233
Closed: Monday
Speciality: pizza and a simple selection of standard local dishes. Very close, cheap and full of locals.
Other comments: Excellent choice for those times you can’t be bothered to cook and just want simple food to feed the family. Decor fairly basic.
Distance from Casa Nova: <8 minutes
Calagrana
Bastia Creti, 277
+ 39 075 941 0865
http://www.calagrana.com
Closed: tbc
Speciality: Home grown produce and local dishes, with a hint of London sophistication in the menu and presentation, yet reasonably priced for the quality offered; another of our top three picks.
Other comments: English spoken; indoor and outdoor seating; pool; outdoor space for kids to play.
Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
Nonna Gelsa
Niccone
+ 39 075 941 0699
Closed: Tuesday
Speciality: Local cooking.
Other comments: English spoken; indoor seating or outdoors under large canopy; well and truly discovered by those English living or holidaying in the area but as yet unspoilt.
Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
Sommavilla
S. Andrea di Sorbello
+ 39 0575 638112
Closed: tbc
Speciality: organic cooking; a French twist at times (for example, onion tart served as a starter).
Other comments: indoor and outdoor seating; children’s play area.
Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
Girasoli di Sant’Andrea
Molino Vitelli
+ 39 075 941 0798
Closed: tbc
Speciality: Local cooking; steaks. Recently, however, we’ve found that quality can at times be variable, so check our guestbook to see what others think.
Other comments: English spoken; indoor (rooms decorated with antique maiolica) and outdoor seating (under pergola); children’s play area.
Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
La Rocca
Piazza Caduti del Lavoro, 4, Umbertide
+ 39 075 941 1828
Closed: Monday
Speciality: worth seeking out for its excellent fish menu (not easy to find in this land-locked province) but also does a range of other regional dishes; however, may be best avoided in August as the chef then disappears to the seaside on holiday and our experience of the stand-in wasn’t up to scratch.
Other comments: central Umbertide; some English spoken; indoor seating and in outdoor tented pavilion.
Distance from Casa Nova: <15 minutes
Trattoria Mimmi
Mercatale di Cortona
+ 39 0575 619029
Closed: tbc
Speciality: plain local cooking at very reasonable prices; seconds of everything for hungry adolescents!
Other comments: indoor seating.
Distance from Casa Nova: <15 minutes
Locanda del Capitano
Via Roma, 5, Montone
+ 39 075 930 6521
Closed: tbc
Speciality: superior regional cooking, including game in season and recreations of historic dishes; extensive wine list; the manager (Giancarlo) is passionate about good food and good wine and happy to explain the history and background of his dishes; one of our top three picks.
Other comments: English spoken; indoor and some outdoor seating.
Distance from Casa Nova: <30 minutes
Lea
Via S. Florido, 38, Cittą di Castello
+ 39 075 852 1678
Closed: Monday
Speciality: Good local cooking; capelletti in brodo and soups especially good.
Other comments: indoor seating; always full of locals; characterful vaulted rooms.
Distance from Casa Nova: 30 minutes
I Muri
Fraz. Gioiello - 06010 Monte Santa Maria Tiberina
+ 39-075-8571001 - 0039-349-8830867
e-mail: carmela@imuriagriturismo.com
www.imuriagriturismo.com
Closed: tbc
Speciality: A fixed taster menu which is as likely to feature Neapolitan specialities as Umbrian dishes on any given day (reflecting the owners’ origins). A welcome change if you start to get restless with the standard local offerings. (Bored with truffle?) Very generous portions (and many courses, so strictly for hungry people). Warm and very personal service: the owner, Carmela, both cooks for you and serves. You need to pre-book.
Distance from Casa Nova: 30 minutes
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