3 Spots to Eat and Sleep in Valpolicella
- ItaliAndrea
- Sep 21
- 2 min read
The first thing to do in the Valpolicella wine country is drink wine, namely Amarone della Valpolicella. Of course, where you eat and sleep are important too. Here are our top picks that you won't necessarily find in guide books!
Eat
Enoteca della Valpolicella
Our first stop in Valpolicella is always Enoteca della Valpolicella, known for its excellent wine list and food. If they have the tortelloni delle erbe (top left), order it! It's located in the town of Fumane but will soon be moving to a larger spot with a garden.
Trattoria della Rosa Alda
Another long-time favorite is Trattoria della Rosa Alda, which dates back to 1853 although I have only been going since the early 2000's! It sits on a hill in the comune of San Giorgio della Valpolicella. It's worth the curvy drive for the tagliatelle with local borlotti beans and torta d'olio, olive oil cake, which is the recipe I still follow today!
Locanda 800
Locanda 800, near the town of Negrar, specializes in fish, a rarity in the Valpolicella hills. They welcome you with a complimentary glass of their refreshing bubbles before settling into the menu. They also have a wine cantina which is not to be missed!
Sleep
Relais La Magioca
Relais La Magioca, with only 9 rooms, offers a 'homey villa stay' with a panoramic infinity pool, lovely grounds and a private chapel. Although they do not have a restaurant, Locanda 800 is across the street or your private terrace makes a fabulous place for what my friend lovingly calls a 'shepherd's dinner' with cheeses, meats and wine foraged during the day. Indoor and outdoor spaces are comfortable spots to relax with a glass of Amarone. Made-to-order breakfasts offer a nice break from the dreaded buffet line!
Dominus Cariano
Dominus Cariano touts itself as an agriturismo, a farm stay, because it's located right in the middle of the vineyards. Despite its modest price, it's updated with beautiful fabrics and nice linens. It, too, makes a perfect spot for a 'shepherd's dinner'. The friendly proprietor offered plates, cutlery and even a complimentary bottle of wine! The agriturismo is also walkable to the town of San Pietro in Cariano with a couple of dining options. We loved Locanda dal Nane.
Villa Giona
Villa Giona has now closed its restaurant, but hopefully in the near future it will re-open, maybe along with a re-fresh of the rooms! Nonetheless, the villa, built in the early 16th century, is a lovely spot to sleep or host a party.
We would love to hear about your adventures in Valpolicella!