Il Loft di Quintino

Calabrian chef Salvatore Morello brings a breath of fresh air to the city synonymous with gastronomy. Drawing on an international background, he presents a cuisine that weaves together recipes and ingredients from diverse culinary worlds, united by finesse, personality, and a striking cohesion. Exceptional raw materials, occasionally accented by exotic notes, find precise balance in every course. Special mention goes to the bread program: the loaf, crafted from sourdough and minimally refined flours and baked in a cast-iron pot, captivates with its pronounced crust and unexpected lightness. Eq

At the edge of the city, just off the ring road, this quintessential trattoria features spacious dining rooms where a familial, informal atmosphere prevails, while from the kitchen arrive the pillars of Parmesan tradition, executed at an excellent level: flavorful dishes crafted from predominantly local products. Among the unmissable offerings, the anolini in capon broth, savory and satisfying, as well as the pork cheeks in lemon cremolade with cream of garbanzo beans.

This small restaurant boasts an enviable location on a small square, with an outdoor terrace which is perfect for summer evenings. Here, the talented chef focuses on fish in all its guises, including raw options and tartares, all served with delicious accompaniments that bring out the full flavour of the fish. Homemade pasta also features, such as pappardelle with raw and cooked prawns, as well as burrata, plus main courses that include a superb, delicate mullet dish. A choice of excellent Italian sparkling wines and champagnes, also available by the glass, completes the picture.

Based around carefully chosen ingredients sourced from the best local producers, the cuisine served at this restaurant is light and yet tasty. You’ll find typical Parma dishes on the menu here alongside more creative fare, with a slight emphasis on fish and seafood although meat and game (one of the chef’s passions!) also make an appearance. Together with his wife Cristina who oversees the front of house, chef Marco Parizzi continues his family’s tradition of providing a warm welcome and excellent cuisine. Guestrooms (this is a convenient central location) are also available.

The Osteria del 36 traces its roots to 1880 and owes its name to a curious tradition: wine was once sold here at 36 cents a litre. Today it presents a cuisine firmly anchored in the Emilian tradition, set alongside touches of a more contemporary flavour, as in the crispy loin of rabbit with Prosciutto di Parma, cream of onions, carrots and cardoncelli mushrooms. A deep affinity with the world of wine is reflected in a list that is well-constructed, carefully considered and of reliable quality, conceived to complement each dish to its best advantage.

One of the most celebrated venues in the province, this restaurant set in a tranquil country hamlet just outside the city requires reservations well in advance. The cuisine is firmly rooted in the land, yet never shies from a creative impulse, which emerges in both flavor and contemporary plating. Among the more contemporary offerings, the tender Apennine gray rabbit stands out: presented as an elegant terrine, accompanied by olive crumble, potato millefeuille, and peppers. A harmonious, delightful dish!

Just a few kilometres from the city, already enveloped in the tranquillity of the Parma countryside, this trattoria embodies to perfection the spirit of local cooking: a simple yet warm atmosphere, a homey welcome, and dishes that speak of the territory with forthright honesty. The menu revolves around the specialities of Parma, prepared with quality produce and a homely touch that wins one over from the very first mouthful. The tortelli alle erbette, made with an excellent locally sourced fresh ricotta, are not to be missed, a true emblem of the tradition. For those with a sweet tooth, the me