What to Eat and Drink in Padua?
The city of Padua is famous for more than just its frescoes and UNESCO heritage sites - it also boasts a culinary scene that is well worth your attention. If you are planning a getaway there, it's a good idea to know which traditional dishes to look for; after all, truly knowing a city isn't just about the sights you see, but the characteristic flavors you taste.
Paduan cuisine relies heavily on chicken, duck, goose, and guinea fowl meat, and also on fresh, local vegetables. Since you are in the heart of the Veneto region, you will also encounter horse meat dishes in the menus of Padua's restaurants, and at the terraces, you will see many people drinking spritz, the traditional aperitif. Sweet treats are not lacking, and many of them are delicious pastry products.
Bigoli
Bigoli is perhaps the first dish that should be mentioned when discussing traditional Paduan cuisine. They are a type of thick, fresh spaghetti that you will find on nearly every restaurant menu in the city. They are most commonly served with a hearty chicken or duck ragù, though you will also frequently encounter a version prepared with sardines. Local tradition holds that Bigoli were actually invented in Padua at the beginning of the 17th century.
Gran bollito alla padovana
Gran bollito alla padovana (also known as bollito misto alla padovana) is a traditional dish consisting of different cuts of meat, which are slow boiled together with various vegetables and served alongside tasty sauces.
It is said that gran bollito alla padovana was one of Galileo Galilei's favorite dishes. One of Galileo's preserved shopping lists survives to this day, detailing the exact ingredients he purchased to prepare this very dish.
The Paduan Hen
Listed in the Slow Food Presidia, the Paduan hen is a crested breed with slightly darker meat. As its name suggests, it is native to this region. It appears that its first depiction can be found in the Oratory of San Michele, within the "Annunciation" fresco.
Because there are no intensive farming operations, you will rarely find Paduan hen on restaurant menus (we managed to find it at Caffè Pedrocchi).
Radicchio trevisano
Radicchio trevisano is a special type of radicchio originating from Treviso, known for its striking red color and the bitter profile. The people of Padua have given it a place of honor in their own kitchens. As such, we recommend you try any dish that features radicchio trevisano - from risotto and pasta to various meat dishes.
Sopressa
Sopressa (pay attention to how you pronounce it, don't confuse it with sorpresa, which means "surprise") is a salami characteristic of the Veneto region. You can try it in sandwiches or as a snack (antipasto).
Pizza
We have to mention pizza because there is one specific spot in Padua where locals actually line up and wait for the doors to open. We are talking about Pizzeria Orsucci, a local institution that has been in business since 1922. Located near Piazza Prato della Valle, it is a small, no-frills joint that consistently finds its way into all sorts of prestigious culinary rankings.
Stop for a slice of pizza when you're taking a break from visiting the tourist attractions in Padua. While you're there, look to the right of the entrance to see a piece by the street artist Alessio B (whom we mentioned in our "What to Do in Padua" article).
Octopus
It might seem a bit surprising, but octopus is a cherished local tradition when it comes to street food. Right in Piazza della Frutta, you'll stumble upon La Folperia (the name comes from folpo, the local word for "octopus"). Though it's a modest setup - essentially just a street stall - it is an absolute icon in Padua. This family-run business started in 1977 and is now managed by Barbara and Max. They specialize in simple, mouth-watering dishes centered around fish and seafood.
Torta pazientina
Torta pazientina is a dessert that you will find in pastry shops (we personally sampled it at Pasticceria Breda). It is a kind of cake consisting of several layers of sponge, filled with zabaione cream and topped with chocolate flakes. Tradition tells us it was created around the year 1600 in one of the city's convents.
The people of Padua still debate the origin of the name Pazientina, and there are two popular theories. Some say it derives from the noun pazienti ("patients"), as the cake was often given to the sick to help them recover their strength. Others believe it comes from pazienza ("patience"), referring to the incredibly elaborate preparation process. It's a dessert that demands a lot of time and care from the pastry chef.
Other Traditional Pastries
There are several other traditional desserts you'll find in local pastry shops - perfect for trying at breakfast alongside a cappuccino: figassa (a type of fig tart), smegiassa (with raisins), and dolce del Santo.
Il dolce del Santo translates as "the Saint's Sweet", and it is obviously dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. It is a dessert made of dough, filled with apricot jam. It is said to have originated from the small loaves of bread that the monks at the Basilica of Saint Anthony used to give to the poor to help ease their hunger. Over the centuries, the recipe for these simple loaves was enriched and refined until it became the delicious dessert enjoyed today.
If you are a fan of millefoglie (mille-feuille), there is one place you absolutely cannot miss. Locals claim that the historic Pasticceria Graziati, located in Piazza della Frutta, serves the best millefoglie in all of Padua. We tried it ourselves, and we can confirm - it is absolutely delicious!
Spritz
You simply cannot visit Padua without sitting down at an outdoor terrace to enjoy a spritz. In this city, the spritz is more than just a drink; it is a genuine institution. The world-famous bittersweet aperitif, Aperol, was actually invented right here in Padua in 1919. Its name comes from the French word apéro, which means "aperitif".
Cynar is another famous beverage that was first produced in Padua. It is an amaro (bitter liqueur) made from artichokes, and you will often find it used as a base in local spritz variations.
We suggest taking a "spritz break" at one of the bars in the city's historic squares. We recommend Bar Nazionale in Piazza delle Erbe, where you can also try the delicious tramezzini sandwiches (did you know that tramezzini were born in Turin?), or Bar dei Osei in Piazza della Frutta, also known for tramezzini and for porchetta sandwiches.
Coffee
When it comes to coffee, Padua boasts yet another long-standing tradition: Caffè Pedrocchi. This historic establishment is the only place to try the house specialty - the famous mint cream coffee. If you order it, pay close attention to the golden rule shared by the waiters: "It is neither to be stirred nor sweetened".
While you're there, don't miss the Pedrocchi cake (another signature treat of the house) and the zabaglione cream, that the famous French writer Stendhal was reportedly head-over-heels in love with.
Wines
Padua is situated near a region of volcanic hills called Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills). The winemaking tradition here is ancient, dating back to the Roman era. When you sit down for lunch or dinner, we highly recommend choosing local wines produced in this specific region to accompany your meal.
For dessert, you must try a sweet DOCG wine (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) called Fior d'Arancio ("Orange Blossom"). It is a delicate and intensely fragrant wine made from the Yellow Muscat grape variety. You can enjoy it on its own as a "liquid dessert or pair it with a sweet.
