Torre del Barbagianni - Castello di Gropparello

Housed in a charming palazzo with an Art Nouveau façade overlooking the main square of the village, this restaurant has an unexpectedly modern and minimalist-style interior. The menu features an impressive selection of fine local charcuterie (including coppa, pancetta and salami), as well as anolini pasta in broth and ricotta and spinach tortelli. The quality of the meat is outstanding.

The menu is a journey through flavours that weave the traditions of Piacenza together with influences from other Italian regions. One of the highlights is their take on a Ligurian dish: Cappon magro di fiume, which combines sturgeon and trout with seasonal vegetables and salsa verde, creating fresh and lively contrasts. But the dish that won us over today is the charcoal-grilled pigeon: juicy meat, velvety liver pâté, a rich gravy and vegetables from the garden, in a perfect balance between technique and taste. The experience doesn't stop here: the wine list offers a wealth of rare and intrigu

In a small village with a fascinating crenellated castle, this restaurant is run by a husband and wife team. They offer a refined cuisine that is a balanced blend of local recipes and creativity.

This restaurant with a low-key, hushed atmosphere has the feel of a tastefully furnished private home, with an open fire to warm cold winter evenings while a cool, welcoming outdoor terrace becomes the ideal spot for al fresco dining in summer. The dining experience comprises four tasting menus and an extensive à la carte menu, offering a generous variety of dishes designed to delight every palate. The recipes range naturally between meat, fish and vegetarian options, offering a wide and well-balanced array of flavours. The desserts are all well worth trying and our favourites include Tribute

A country retreat that captivates with simplicity and passion: modern, comfortable rooms open onto a landscape that embraces the hills of Piacenza, while outdoor dining offers glimpses of light and nature. The menu invites guests to enjoy a tasting menu in which the grill releases intense aromas, or à la carte dishes that range from land to sea to garden, in a balance of scents and colours. Two cosy suites, a holistic wellness centre scented with natural essences and, in fine weather, a Zen garden that invites you to relax, complete the experience.

The 18C ceramic stove, bright, colourful decor (both period and vintage), long family tradition and excellent cuisine all contribute to making this restaurant which opened half a century ago a bastion of fine cuisine in Piacenza and the wider Po valley. Meat and fish both feature on the menu, although it is the latter that has become renowned as the restaurant’s speciality over the years. The excellent service is friendly and informal yet highly professional, while the extensive wine list also includes a good selection of wines by the glass.

Situated in attractive countryside where the plains give way to rolling hills (a perfect destination for a Sunday outing), this simple yet well-kept trattoria serves all the usual traditional local specialities. The typical fresh pasta and the desserts are all home-made.