Spoleto Restaurants

Rare is the Spoleto restaurant that doesn’t boast its own version of the town’s signature dish: strengozzi alla spoletina, a zesty take on pasta with tomato sauce. Other specialties include the same pasta garnished with a generous portion of flavorful shaved truffles. An outdoor market runs along V. Cacciatori delle Alpi, which stretches south from Ponte G. Garibaldi on Friday mornings. For groceries, head to Vega Sigma Supermarket, V. Cesare Micheli 1, off P. Garibaldi. (Open M-W and F-Su 8am-1pm and 4:45-7:45pm, Th 8am-1pm. MC/V.)

• Ristoritrovo ConTe, V. Porta Fuga 43 (☎0743 22 52 21). If the strains of karaoke or the squawking parrot outside don’t draw you in, then surely the magenta walls and 1m tall pink wine bottles will. This wacky restaurant dishes up the famous strengozzi with mushrooms, garlic, chili pepper, and tomatoes (€7.50). Pizza €4.30-7. Primi €6-15. Secondi €8-16. Open Tu-Su 11am-2:30pm and 7-11pm. Cash only.
• Ristorante Apollinare, V. Sant’Agata 14 (☎0743 22 32 56; www.ristoranteapollinare.it). Former 10th-century convent serves fresh local cuisine. 3- and 5-course menùs (€25-35) are some of Umbria’s best. Try mouthwatering roasted, stuffed rabbit with olive sauce and grilled raddichio (€13). Primi €8-20. Secondi €10-24. Desserts €5-7. Open daily noon-2:30pm and 7-10:30pm. Closed Tu in winter. AmEx/MC/V.
• Ristorante Sabatini, C. Mazzini 52-54 (☎0743 22 18 31). Photos of famous past customers line the otherwise simple walls of this expansive restaurant. Look for shots of Niki Lauda or Scalfaro as you enjoy dishes like pork fillet soaked in red wine, rosemary, and wild juniper berry sauce (€11). Excellent vegetable contorni €4. Primi €8-12. Secondi €8-13. Open Tu-Su 12:30-2:30pm and 7-10pm. AmEx/MC/V.
• Osteria del Trivio, V. del Trivio 16 (☎0743 44 349; www.osteriadeltrivio.it). From V. Garibaldi, turn left on V. del Trivio. Festively decorated with paintings and musical instruments. Some of the best food in town. Menu features traditional strengozzi with fava beans, bacon, and pecorino cheese (€9) and beef fillet in Sagranino wine (€15). Primi €8-13. Secondi €8-15. Open daily 12:30-2:30pm and 7-10pm. AmEx/MC/V.
• Taverna dei Duchi, V. Saffi 1 (☎0743 44 088). The restaurant is unmarked, so look for green walls with stone arches. All manner of Umbrian specialities, most often including truffles. Don’t fill up on the focaccia before trying the strengozzi al rancetto (with onion, bacon, and pecorino cheese; €6), a tomato-less take on the local favorite. 3-course menù (€16 ) is a good deal. Pizza €5.50-11; dinner only. Primi €5.50-11. Secondi €7-11. Open M-Th, Sa-Su noon-3pm and 7-10pm. MC/V.
• Osteria dell’Enoteca, V. Saffi 7 (☎0743 22 04 84). At this stylish osteria, diners enjoy traditional strengozzi (€9) or richer dishes like tortellini alla montanara with meat, truffle sauce, gorgonzola, and bacon (€9). Primi €6.50-12. Secondi €6.50-13. Cover €1. Open M and W-Su 11:15am-3pm and 7-11pm. AmEx/MC/V.