Hotel & SPA L'Antico Forziere

This complex, which also includes two junior suites and seven guestrooms, dates back to the early 17C and was commissioned by the Church as a stopping off point for travellers on their way to Rome. For many years now, the restaurant has been run by a Venetian family with twin brothers (both highly experienced) working in the kitchen and a third brother, a sommelier, at the helm in the dining room. The cuisine is inspired by local and Venetian traditions, with a modern approach to the combinations of flavours (including home-grown herbs) and to the presentation of its delicious, generous dishes

Just a few hundred metres from the church of Sant’Ercolano in a narrow alleyway in the heart of Perugia’s historic centre, this restaurant is home to chef Ada Stifani who serves expertly prepared contemporary cuisine with a regional flavour. There are two dining rooms here: one with an open-view kitchen and the other with a modern and elegant mezzanine. Among the highlights, don’t miss the tagliatelle with cardoncelli mushrooms and scampi which is full of perfectly balanced, intense flavours.

This quiet and elegant restaurant in a small street in the village of Cannara has a stylish yet friendly ambience and serves traditional, local cuisine where onion is a star ingredient in many of the dishes – don’t miss the delicious onion soup with gruyère cheese. If you’re choosing a wine to accompany your meal, we suggest asking enthusiastic owner Ernesto for his astute recommendations.

Dining options at this restaurant include an attractive outdoor terrace with views of the surrounding area (in summer) and a friendly bistro-style dining room. We particularly enjoyed the linguine with carp roe, as well as the stuffed pigeon.

Perched on a hill just a few kilometres from Torgiano, Quattro Sensi boasts a veranda with views of Perugia, which is perfect for a quick lunch, and an elegant dining room in which you can enjoy regional dishes such as pappardelle egg pasta with a Cinturello Orvietano pork ragù with orange and fennel.

Situated in the old medieval village of Gualdo Cattaneo, amid the gentle valleys not far from Foligno, Il Grottino is the perfect choice for anyone keen to sample the authentic flavours of Umbrian cuisine. Here, truffles and zero-km produce take pride of place on the menu, with a particular focus on meat which is carefully cooked on the open-view barbecue grill. Alongside locally sourced produce, you’ll also find a choice of carefully selected Prussian beef. Comfortable and welcoming guestrooms complete the picture.

Situated in a charming medieval village which is also home to a couple of small hotels, this attractive, rustic restaurant in an old olive mill acts as the backdrop for regional and Italian cuisine. Dishes with a touch of modern flavour are presented on a menu which, although not extensive, offers good value for money.