Best Parma Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars

Are you confused about what to eat in Parma, Italy, or where to eat it? In a culinary quest to develop this complete Parma Food Guide, we visited the gastronomic Emilia-Romagna city three times. Continue reading to find out which restaurants, cafes, and pubs we recommend in Parma.

The word “simplicity” comes to mind when most people think of the best Italian cuisine.

Read: Lose Weight Without Dieting (10 easy ways)

Much of the best Italian cuisine begins with well-prepared ingredients. Typically, spaghetti is served with a basic, elementally created sauce made from the highest quality components. The flavors are pure, unadulterated, and authentic.

Emilia-Romagna food 

This is a blend of rich and poor, rustic and refined. There is a magnificent paper-thin Tortelli packed with a sophisticated, regal filling of herbs and ricotta for every seemingly basic plate of Tagliatelle.

This is especially evident in Parma, Emilia-capital. Romagna’s, The farm-strewn plains that flank the Po Valley give birth to much of what we associate with Italian high culture. Even though Parma restaurants serve well-known Italian dishes. Parma’s cuisine is so much more.

Parma

It is a city where chefs may get the freshest ingredients from the Food Valley. These chefs don’t simply throw food on a platter and top it with tomato sauce. Instead, they produce opulent dishes that taste like an opera aria. And go perfectly with Lambrusco, the pink-red sparkling wine from the region.

Unfortunately, as they speed past the yellow-hued city en route to more popular boot destinations like Milan, Verona, Venice, and even cities on the rise like Bologna, quick tourists miss out on the tastiest meals in Parma. However, we believe that if you skip Parma, you will be missing out on a place that epitomizes Italian culture.

Renaissance painter Correggio, early 20th-century maestro Arturo Toscanini, and opera composer Giuseppe Verdi all left their artistic imprints on the historic city, establishing an artistic heritage that continues to this day. It was not just artists who made their mark in Perma.

Maria Luigia, a French/Austrian monarch, left her regal imprint on the city during the nineteenth century. She didn’t just bring her passion for violets to Parma; However, she was responsible for the iconic, world-class Teatro Regio opera building, as well as the creation of delightful pastries that are still popular today.

Pro-Tip

Parma culture may be experienced in places such as the Cathedral of Parma, where Correggio painted the famous Assumption of the Virgin, and the Teatro Regio, which hosts the annual Verdi Festival. The city’s art is so outstanding that it has been designated as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2020.

In Parma, What to Eat

Parma is a foodie’s dream come true. With a gastronomic heritage so rich that the city has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, when you think about it, this honor was virtually a foregone conclusion.

Parma is the seat of the Parma Province, which produces some of Italy’s best food products, including Parmigiano Reggiano, the undisputed king of cheeses, and cured meats such as Prosciutto and Culatello. The best food in Parma is what most people think of when they think of some of the best meals in Italy.

Lambrusco is another option. Except for breakfast, we could drink the province’s addicting red sparkling wine at any time. If properly persuaded, we’d drink Lambrusco for breakfast.

Pasta, too. Locals consume freshly cooked Anolini, Tortelli, and Tagliatelle at home and in local Parma restaurants, even though Barilla has its headquarters in Parma. We sampled several variations of these regional staples throughout our visits, including meaty Anolini in Brodo and soothing, pumpkin-filled Tortelli.

In Parma, we never got tired of the food.

Pro Tip

Soon after your arrival, take a cuisine tour to get acquainted with Parma’s culinary delights. We recommend taking a Parma Food Tour with Alice Rossi, our fantastic Parma tour guide. She’ll show you about and introduce you to some of the local specialties, as well as show you around some of the places included in this tour.

Food Guide for Parma

Our first trip to Parma was only long enough to whet our appetite for the city’s extensive culinary offerings. We went back two more times and immersed ourselves in the Parma food scene, sampling everything from breakfast pastries to late-night cocktails. The result is this comprehensive Parma diet guide

It was both stressful and exhilarating to put up this Parma guide. We not only had a fantastic meal, but we also fell in love with the city’s various attractions. We’ll undoubtedly return to Parma sooner rather than later to update our guide and satisfy our hunger.

Parma’s Best Restaurants

Parma, Italy’s 18th largest city, has more than enough eateries to serve both residents and visitors. We discovered fantastic restaurants both in the heart of town and on side streets. Our favorite Parma restaurant was, ironically, not really in Parma, but rather a little distance outside the municipal limits.

Continue reading to find out which Parma eateries are at the top of our list.

Trattoria Ai Due Platani

Parma has so many eateries that it almost seems wrong to leave the city to eat. That is, until we dined at Trattoria Ai Due Platani in Coloreto.

Ai Due Platani is a dining place deserving of special attention. A 15-minute drive, a 90-minute walk, or a 50-minute bus ride are all viable options forgetting about.

We chose the bus option, which included a 25-minute journey and a 25-minute walk to Savino. If you don’t like evading moving automobiles, take a cab because the final mile is along roads without sidewalks.

Trattoria I du Platani is a light restaurant with red tables and reception staff. Chef Matteo Ugolotti and his colleagues create remarkable interpretations of Parmigiano-Reggiano classics using the finest ingredients available.

(The address of Trattoria Ai Due Platani is Strada Budellungo, 104/a, 43123 Coloreto PR, Italy.)

In some ways, it’s not so much what they offer at Ai Due Platani as it is the attention to detail that goes into each dish.

Our lunchtime dinner moved at a leisurely pace, with a sequence of delectable, deceptively basic dishes that all had a hidden level of sophistication in texture and flavor.

After a delicious platter of Culatello, Prosciutto, and Salumi, as is customary in Parma. Following that, we served a pair of Tortelli, one with pumpkin and the other with ricotta and herbs.

We picked tagliatelle topped with porcini instead of Ai Due Platani’s ragu to keep with the seasonal theme. We opted to wait for a ragu sampling till our next trip.

Porcini mushrooms are not common in the United States. In Emilia-Romagna, foodies do not have the option of eating Porcini mushrooms and truffles in the autumn.

The porcini’s rich, forest-like flavors were unlike anything we’d ever experienced before. The pumpkin-stuffed Tortelli had a delicate, just al dente exterior that gave way to a lovely, creamy inside. This was the work of an accomplished sfoglina (pasta maker).

We’ve decided to split the main course. We resisted the Vitello Tonnato, which is veal covered with tuna sauce, and the massive grilled steaks. Instead, we delighted in expertly cooked rare lamb chops imported from the Tuscan village of Maremma and paired with carrot purée and purple potatoes.

To round up the dinner, server Mattia Serventi wheeled a trolley topped with a mountain of freshly-made, Sunbright yellow zabaglione gelato and a half-dozen toppings such as molten chocolate, chocolate pearls, candied hazelnuts, Borsci liqueur, and Cointreau. He then proceeded to make sundaes at the table for our luxurious dining delight.

To any restaurateurs who are reading this guide: This was the coolest dessert service ever!!!

We’d be remiss if we didn’t highlight the restaurant’s private-label Lambrusco, which enticed our nostrils with its gentle lavender smell. The deep red, sparkling Emilian wine, one of the greatest we’ve ever had, was a steal at €5.50 for half a bottle.

Meals like this one are the main reason we travel, and it’s a steal for €79 for two. Needless to say, we will dine at Trattoria Ai Due Platani on our inevitable return to Parma. What we’ll order is the perfect question to ask.

Pro Tip

Call for weeks, not months, to reserve a table at Trattoria Eye’s scheduled Platani. Lunch reservations are simpler to come by, but they must be made in advance as well.

Ristorante Cocchi

Cocchi Restaurant is a traditional Parma Bistro.

In 1925, he started a business called Kochi Self. His son (Corrado) and grandson (Daniel) have taken the history of the typical Parmigiano catering restaurant at the Ultra Torrent location for the past 50 years. In 1970, the restaurant moved three blocks from its old location.

Located on the ‘other side of the Parma River in the Hotel Daniel. In a dining area adorned with gold-framed paintings and sleek recessed bookcases, the restaurant exudes a feeling of humorous, practical, eighties-Esque formality. This is a space where businessmen and women meet for lunch while discussing big amounts of pasta and meat.

On the other hand, we ate at the restaurant Cocchi. welcomed us, the waiting staff. Despite our casual dress and lack of Italian abilities, they welcomed us with open arms and patiently answered our questions as they walked us through the menu that has become a Parma institution.

(The address of Ristorante Cocchi is Viale Antonio Gramsci, 16/A, 43126 Parma PR, Italy)

There are nine different types of cured pork starters available at the restaurant, according to our count. When choosing between the classic Proscuitto, Culeto, or Strolgino, we recommend that you go with your common sense made of ordinary Culeto meat. We also recommend serving your salumi with a slice of Parmigiano Reggiano and a dish of Gnocchi Frito, a pillowy Emilian fried bread found in most Parma eateries.

We savored packed pasta nuggets of Antolini after eating locally sourced salumi and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Which arrived swimming in a tasty, meaty brodo – a deft, warming blend of beef and chicken broth that warmed us from the chill of the season. Tortelli with porcini mushrooms also belonged to the season and topped it with the shaving size of Parmigiano Reggiano.

We split a meat-delicious plate of Bollito Misto for our main course, keeping with the seasonal theme. We finally got the enjoyable tableside service we missed while dining bolito in Verona with this dish, which consisted of a plate of hand-carved roasted meats like Cotechino, beef, and hog, as well as creamy mashed potatoes, verdant salsa verde, and golden orange spicy mostarda.

During the summer, Bollito Misto is not available. To put it another way, if you want to taste the best of Parma cuisine, go to Ristorante Cocchi between October and April.

Pro Tip

Leaving your vegetarian buddies at home is not a good idea. Ristorante Cocchi is a blatantly meat-centric eatery.

Angiol d’Or

Angiol d’Or proves that guests can eat well in the center of Parma, with its strategic location right next to the enormous, medieval Parma Cathedral. The upmarket location at Angiol d’Or has a contemporary feel with sweeping glass windows and exposed stone. The meal is delicious, and the service is courteous and efficient.

Expect a meal full of Parma staples like Culatello, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Pasta when you dine at Angiol d’Or. Although the restaurant’s renowned beef tenderloin “Rosa di Parma” is stuffed with Parma Ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, vegetarians and pescatarians will find plenty of choices on a menu that includes meatless kinds of pasta and fish dishes.

We had an amazing bowl of Anolini in Brodo as well as Veal in a wine reduction with a special Taggiasche (chopped olives) sauce and salsa verde during our lunch. The star of the evening, however, was the creamy White Polenta Pudding appetizer with red beet cubes, tangy gorgonzola fondue, and sage leaves.

Pro Tip

Make an effort to save room for dessert. Angiol d’Or offers a delectable selection of sweets and liqueurs.

(Angiol d’Or is located at 1, 43121, Scooterley, Parma PR, Italy.)

Parma’s Other Restaurants

Parma chefs have access to some of the best Italian food products in the country thanks to the city’s strategic location in Emilia-Food Romagna’s Valley. Tourists will be careless if they do not take advantage of this opportunity at every meal before and after seeing the sights of the area.

In Parma, we propose the following solid-food restaurants:

Ristorante La Greppia

La Grippia’s diet has been influenced by centuries-old delicacies valued by Napoleon’s wife, Maria Luigia, and has been open for decades. With new chef Filippo Diego ahead, the restaurant’s legacy continues. La Grapepia’s dining room is more traditional in style, with dining tables where diners can enjoy local favorites for lunch or dinner.

Diego and his crew happily prepare meals in a kitchen located behind the back glass window of the dining area.

Purists can start their meal with platters of aged Parmigiano Reggiano, as well as meals topped with Parma Ham, Culatello, Coppa, and Salumi. More adventurous customers can get artichokes in Mornay sauce or Veal Tongue with Chestnuts and Black Truffle.

Tortelli, Anolini, and Tagliatelle are among the items on La Greppeia’s primi menu, which follows the Parma playbook. We started with thin green Taglione and crispy Culatello from the restaurant, followed by Pork Chops with seasonal Porcini Mushrooms and black garlic as a second course.

Pro Tip

At Ristorante La Greppia, don’t forget to order wine with your dinner. The wine list at the restaurant is large.

(The address for Ristorante La Greppia is Strada G. Garibaldi,39, 43121 Parma PR, Italy.)

Osteria dello Zingaro

Osteria Dello Zingaro, a vividly painted Parma restaurant near the city’s cathedral, is popular with locals. The casual café serves traditional Emilia-Romagna fare such as pumpkin or spinach-stuffed Tortelli, as well as sliced meats such as Culatello, Prosciutto, Culaccia, and Spala Cotta.

During our supper at Osteria Dello Zingaro, we enjoyed Cavallo (horse meat), a house specialty, instead of the usual menu. Mindi had Insalatona Zingaro salad with artichokes, boiled potato, tomatoes, and Cavallo tartare, while Daryl had Roast Beef di Cavallo with roasted tomatoes.

If you prefer Tortelli di Erbette to Cavallo, the restaurant will not judge you. True food adventurers, on the other hand, will relish the opportunity to try a local delicacy that isn’t available in their native country.

Pro Tip

Osteria Dello Zingaro is not a place to blow your budget. A bottle of water and a carafe of wine was included with our €35 supper for two.

(Borgo del Correggio, 5 / B, 43100 Parma PR, Italy is the address of Osteria dello Zingaro.)

Il Trovatore Ristorante

Il Trovatore Ristorante, which was open since 1998, pays homage to roaming minstrels while honoring Parma’s tradition. If you stop by Il Trovatore for a dinner during your visit to Parma, you can expect a classic cuisine with plenty of seafood and meat options. Vegetarians will also be able to request food.

We had a hearty meal at Il Trovatore with a large party, which was accompanied by sparkling Lambrusco wine. The saucy lasagna slabs and creamy tiramisu were the highlights of the meal.

Pro Tip

If the weather permits request a table on the restaurant’s outdoor patio.

(The address for Il Trovatore is Via Ireneo Aff, 2/A, 43121 Parma PR, Italy.)

Parma Pizza

Cities such as Naples and Rome are known for their pizza. However, discerning culinary tourists will find excellent pies in locations such as Verona, Modena, and… Parma.

As self-proclaimed pizza connoisseurs, we are always on the lookout for the best pizza in any place we visit. Continue reading to learn about our favorite pizza in Parma.

Oven

The oven isn’t your standard Parma pizzeria, with meter-long utensils on one wall and moss on the other. The Oltretorrente restaurant is a short walk from Parma’s historic center and provides some of the tastiest Neapolitan pies we’ve had in Northern Italy.

We ate two delicious pies at Oven throughout our supper, both topped with fantastic local Parma vegetables as well as elements from Campania in southern Italy.

Prosciutto and stringy Stracciatella cheese, as well as Campanian Red Piennolo Tomatoes, Olive Oil, and Fresh Basil adorned the Crudaiola pizza. With its soft crust, pungent anchovies, and bright yellow piennolo tomatoes, our second pie, ingeniously dubbed Napoli2.0, brought recollections of our stay in Naples.

In addition to its excellent pies, OVen serves craft cocktails such as the popular rosemary tonic, premium gin, tonic, rosemary, and G + T made from rose grapes. Beer fans will not be disappointed with the selection of the brewery’s beer at Little Pizzeria, including our selection of Grinding Saison beer made at nearby Fontevio.

Pro Tip

You can make a reservation online at the Oven website.

(The address for Oven is Strada Nino Bixio, 52/A, 43125 Parma PR, Italy.)

Parma Cheap Eats

For quick and inexpensive meals in Parma, we recommend the following places:

Pepèn

Pepèn sells paninis (sandwiches) to a standing-room-only audience of locals looking for affordable, filling cuisine. It has been a Parma institution for three generations, far from being a newcomer.

Due to the abundance of appealing ingredients like Proscuitto Cotto, Coppa, Salame di Felino, and Speck, ordering at Pepèn for the first time can be difficult. During our vacation, the quality and value of the Pesto di Cavallo Crudo (horse tartare) and Carciofa we ate were well worth whatever tension we may have had.

Our Pesto di Cavallo Crudo was made with raw minced horse flesh, lemon, oil, and homemade mayonnaise, so it wasn’t for My Little Pony or Black Beauty aficionados. This wasn’t the first time we’d tried horse meat while traveling, and we like the flavor combination in this version.

Non-horse eaters will appreciate this Carciofa. Artichoke hearts, Parmigiano Reggiano, ricotta, and spinach are stuffed into the double-crusted savory pie by the panini owner. Carciofa is also a delicious morning or late-afternoon snack.

Pro Tip

Eat at Pepèn before the expected lunch and dinner surge to avoid crowds.

(Borgo, Vicolo Sant’Ambrogio,2, 43121 Parma PR, Italy)

Cantina della Salute

When we travel, we look for places like Cantina Della Salute. During our visit, Merry di Venere and Donato Ugolotti (the eatery’s mother and son owners) greeted us enthusiastically and plied us with samples. They had definitely figured out how to go to our hearts.

The family-run Cantina Della Salute, which reopened in 2018 after a 28-year sabbatical, serves a variety of local lunch delicacies such as pasta, soup, and paninis.

Cotechino is a huge, rustic slow-cooked, pate-like pork sausage that locals commonly eat with lentils, potatoes, or on a sandwich, for those unfamiliar with this Emilia-Romagna cuisine specialty.

Ugolotti and Di Venere serve their dishes with homemade sauces based on “nonna’s recipes,” and for dessert, they provide orange bread with Sicilian oranges. As if that weren’t enough, the rates are modest enough that a diner can eat well while staying around €10.

Pro Tip

To accompany your Cotechino sandwich, get a glass (or two) of Lambrusco. The native red sparkling wine goes well with the food and is enjoyable to sip.

(Via Goffredo Mameli, 4B, 43121 Parma PR, Italy is where you’ll find Cantina della Salute.)

Parma Gelato

Many visitors consider eating gelato in Italy to be the highlight of their trip to the boot. Let’s face it: the best gelato in Italy is the best gelato anywhere on the planet.

Both locals and visitors may enjoy frozen delicacies at Parma’s many gelaterias. Cremeria Gioelia attracts a large number of ice cream aficionados (formerly known as Emilia Cremeria). Though the gelato from this chain is definitely spoon-worthy, we recommend the following local Parma gelaterias:

Ciacco Lab

Ciacco Lab, which was awarded three cones by Gambero Rosso, develops a vibrant selection of gelato flavors and sells them in a shop across the street from Teatro Regio. In other words, intelligent tourists can simultaneously satisfy their opera and gelato demands.

Stefano Guzzetti and his crew use fresh, local ingredients to produce innovative desserts like Quasi Cheesecake and Miracle Cream. Purists will appreciate Stracciatella and Pistachio variations.

Pro Tip

If you’re lactose sensitive or follow a vegan diet, don’t feel left out. Ciacco Lab has a great selection of dairy-free sorbet flavors.

(Ciacco Lab has two locations in Parma.We paid a visit to the gelateria in Strada G. Garibaldi11, 43121 Parma, PR, Italy.)

Gelateria Harnold’s

Gelateria Harold’s, located in Oltretorrente and off the beaten path, is not on any top rankings. Instead, since 1987, this Parma gelateria has been serving masses of locals superb house-made ice cream.

On our first visit, we saw families with children dressed in football (soccer) costumes enjoying gelato alongside us. We shared a chocolate-dipped Fior di Latte gelato cone, which was a revelation worthy of a return trip.

We didn’t want to repeat ourselves, so on our second visit, we split a chocolate popsicle. These two chocoholics were not disappointed by the frozen delicacy with chocolate gelato, chocolate coating, and chocolate chips. What should we order on our third visit, we wonder?

Pro Tip

After dinner at Cocchi or Oven, stop by Gelateria Harold’s for a sweet finish. Both restaurants are only a few steps away.

(Viale Antonio Gramsci, 10/c, 43126 Parma PR, Italy is the location of Gelateria Harnold’s.)

Parma Cafes

Pasticcerrias are lovely venues in Parma, loaded with delectable pastries and authentic Italian coffee. The Duchessa di Parma, a delicious chocolate-topped cake named after one of Parma’s most famous citizens, is one of the sweets served in these pastry shops. Tortes Maria Luigia, a startling sweet spinach pastry, is also baked in several pasticcerias.

While we can’t guarantee that Maria Luigia ate the pastries named after her, we can say that the following Parma cafes are among our favorites:

Pasticceria San Biagio

Pasticceria San Biaggio is a posh cafe with an upper dining area and an outdoor patio. The pasticeria, which was founded by brothers Mauro and Guido Zambelli in the 1980s, is now a local favorite.

The centrally placed cafe bakes the tastiest cannoncino pastries we had in Parma, in addition to chocolates and macarons. These cream-filled horns are sweet and crispy in equal measure. If you like cannolis, you’ll enjoy cannoncinios.

Pro Tip

Begin the day with a pastry at Pasticceria San Biaggio, then return for a Negroni before dinner.

(The address of Pasticceria San Biagio is Strada G. Garibaldi 41, 43121 Parma PR, Italy.)

Pasticceria Cocconi

Which has been open since 1951, is a classic Parma pastry shop where diners can start their day with a variety of pastries and coffee. During our visit, we began our day of sightseeing with three small sweets from the counter display: Duchessina, Ossa Dei Morti, and Cannoncino. We also had cappuccinos, as is customary in Italy.

Pro Tip

Stop by Pasticceria Cocconi for a cup of tea or hot chocolate in the afternoon.

(The address, Strada Della Repubblica 22, 43121 Parma PR, Italy)

Pasticceria Torino

Pasticceria Torino is not a place to linger. While walking to the Parma train station, stop here for a croissant and an espresso. That’s what we did, at least.

This pastry business provides both Parma-inspired delights like the Cannoncino and Turin-inspired treats like the Gianduiotti. Pasticceria Torino also sells gourmet chocolates, including violet chocolates comparable to those found at Violetta Di Parma Borsari Negozio Storico (see below).

Pro Tip

Order a chocolate bust patterned after the great composer to commemorate the Verdi Festival at Pasticceria Torino.

(The address of Pasticceria Torino is Strada G. Garibaldi,61, 43121 Parma PR, Italy)

Parma Drinks

Because of its location in Emilia-Food Romagna’s Valley, most Parma bars serve local wines such as Lambrusco and Pignoletto. Parma bars also provide a variety of wines from throughout the world, as well as cocktails and beer.

These are our favorite places to drink in Parma after walking around the ancient city center:

Bread

On our first night in Parma, we went on a walk and noticed some bread. When we arrived, we were startled to learn that Bread does not bake its own bread, instead opting to buy loaves from a nearby baker.

Bread, despite its irony, is a terrific place to go for pre-dinner beverages and appetizers. The mood is laid-back, with music from Velvet Underground and others adding to the vibe.

Bread’s Parma on the Rocks cocktail, created with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and Lambrusco, was especially pleasant. This cocktail went really nicely with our Salumi panini. Lambrusco, on the other hand, appears to go with everything in Parma.

Pro Tip

During your aperitivo at Bread, don’t order too much food. During our early evening visit, we were treated to complimentary bruschetta.

(Bread is located at Via Nazario Sauro 18, Parma PR, 43121, Italy)

Oste Magno

This serves wine, beer, and charcuterie to a diverse group of people who enjoy the bar’s low rates and shabby chic atmosphere. We felt perfectly at home as we sipped Lambrusco from white porcelain bowls and ate meats like Prosciutto de Parma, Pancetta, Salumi, and Spallacotta.

Pro Tip

Bring any extra cash to Oste Magno. At the time of our visit, Lambrusco prices started at

(Borgo Angelo Mazza, 12/B, 43121 Parma PR, Italy is the address of Oste Magno)

Vineria Giramondo

Stop into Vineria Giramondo for a glass of wine and complimentary appetizers if you’re a sophisticated wine drinker. Even better, linger with a bottle of wine and some cheese and charcuterie.

This Parma enoteca is a haven for oenophiles eager to experience wine from local wineries in Emilia-Romagna. For those wishing to drink beyond the region’s borders, Vineria Giramondo’s reach extends further into Italy and beyond.

Pro Tip

The Vineria Giramondo’s chalkboard wine list isn’t intimidating. The owners are accessible to offer advice and ideas on their carefully picked wine selections.

(Strada Luigi Carlo Farini, 38, 43121 Parma PR, Italy is where you’ll find Vineria Giramondo)

Parma Coffee Shops

When it comes to coffee, Parma is not a progressive city. We did not discover specialty coffee in Parma, unlike in other Italian towns such as Bologna, Trento, and Venice.

Despite the dearth of specialty coffee, Parmigiano baristas know how to pull a decent espresso shot, as they do throughout Italy. We tasted the greatest coffee in Parma at the following two Parma coffee shops during our visits.

Torrefazione Anceschi

Torrefazione Aneschi, Parma’s oldest coffee shop, has been roasting coffee beans for half a century and is a great place to stop for a coffee break. If you’re hungry, order a cornetto and practice the great art of drinking Italian coffee with the locals.

Pro Tip

Purchase a bag of freshly roasted coffee beans to brew at home.

(Strada G. Garibaldi, 46, 43121 Parma PR, Italy is the address of Torrefazione Aneschi)

Lino’s Coffee

Lino’s Coffee offers a Coffee Crack, a coffee liqueur wrapped in a layer of cream and finished with dark chocolate, for coffee enthusiasts looking for something unusual. In Parma, where the multinational brand began roasting coffee beans in 1991, everyone else can have more typical coffee drinks.

Although Lino’s Coffee has outlets all over Italy and as far as Oman, the Parma branch we visited twice didn’t feel like a franchise. Our cappuccinos were expertly prepared by a friendly barista, and the cafe was bustling with people starting their days with coffee and the local paper.

Pro Tip

If you visit Lino’s Coffee during the lunch hour, you can get a quick bite to eat.

(Parma is home to several Lino’s Coffee shops. We had a drink in the cafe at Via Nazario Sauro 4, 43121 Parma PR, Italy)

Parma Specialty Shops

Cooked-at-home dinners are some of the most delicious in Parma. The city offers a plethora of specialty shops selling everything you’ll need to cook an epic feast as well as products to eat on the fly. During your visit, don’t forget to stop by these two stores:

Salumeria Garibaldi

Salumeria Garibaldi, which has a 19th-century history, is an excellent destination to sample all of Emilia-best Romagna’s cuisine in one location. Since the 1950s, the current proprietors have owned the Parma delicatessen, which sells locally sourced products such as Culatello di Zibello, Parmigiano Reggiano, Porcini Mushrooms, and Lambrusco.

Salumeria Garibaldi creates pasta that can be eaten in the shop or taken away for a later meal, in addition to offering some of the greatest meats and cheeses in the Food Valley. The secret is to stock up on supplies because it’s impossible to quit consuming the valuable cargo once you’ve started.

Pro Tip

Salumeria Garibaldi is a great place to buy mementos if you want to avoid the trinket shops. You can also purchase a magnet to commemorate your visit to Parma.

(Saumeria Garibaldi is located at 42 Strada G. Garibaldi, Parma PR, 43121 Italy)

Violetta Di Parma Borsari Negozio Storico

Since Napoleon’s wife Maria Luigia became the Duchess of Parma in the early 1800s, violets have been popular in Parma. Luigi’s violet addiction has spread throughout the city, with violet-themed products such as perfume, soap, and even chocolate being available

We returned to Violetta di Parma Borsari Beozio Storico after eating violet chocolate and purchased more to savor later. Actual violet blossoms are used in handcrafted chocolates, resulting in tasty and visually appealing chocolate.

Pro Tip

Violet chocolates make great gifts for family members who can’t make it to Parma with you.

(Violetta Di Parma is a woman from Parma, Italy. Borsari Negozio Storico is located in Parma, Italy, at Strada Della Repubblica, 43121)

Further Afield

Although culinary travelers will find much to eat in Parma, nothing beats consuming food straight from the source around the province. Local manufacturers of DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) products such as Culatello, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Proscuitto can be visited by those willing to rent a car or take a food tour.

Antica Corte Pallavicina

For history fans and foodies alike, Antica Corte Pallavincina is a must-visit. Chef Massimo Spiragoli not only maintains a Michelin-starred restaurant on his family’s estate, but also a more casual cafe, a cooking school, and the Culatello museum.

Visitors may learn all about Culatello’s history, see it hanging in a dark cellar, and then sample it for lunch. We have yet to discover a more participatory method to explore Culatello.

Pro Tip

If you have the time and money, spent the night in Antico Corte Pallavincina.

(Strada Palazzo due Torri, 3, 43016 Polesine Zibello PR, Italy is where you’ll find Antico Corte Pallavicina)

Latteria Santo Stefano

Cheese aficionados will remember their first visit to a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy for the rest of their lives. From being in a room full of aging wheels to get a taste of the King of Cheese right at the source, the experience is nothing short of incredible.

At Latteria Santo Stefano, a traditional Parmigiano Reggiano producer, we achieved our Parmigiano Reggiano objectives. We took a tour of the facility and sampled cheese matured for 12, 24, and 36 months, as well as purchasing a wedge to take home.

Pro Tip

As part of your Parma visit, schedule a morning tour of a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy.

(Via Pama, 78 / Ter, 43022 Basilicagoiano PR, Italy is where Latteria Santo Stefano may be found.)

Things To Do in Parma

Food is a big part of many of the best things to do in Parma. To enjoy the whole Parma cuisine experience, try some of the following culinary activities:

• During a Parma Delicacies Tour, you’ll spend the day visiting three producers.
• During a Dining Experience at a Local’s Home, dine with a local.
• A Spaghetti Cooking Class will teach you how to prepare pasta.
• During a Hands-On Traditional Cooking Class, you’ll learn how to make Parma favorites.