Caffè Pedrocchi is one of the most famous symbols of Padua, known as the ‘café without doors,’ because it was open without interruption, day and night, from 1831, the year it was inaugurated, to 1916. It welcomed intellectuals, aristocrats, regular citizens, local residents and prestigious Italian and international guests, from Stendhal to D’Annunzio, from Eleonora Duse to Dario Fo to Lord Byron. It soon became the meeting place for students, artists, writers and patriots, and was the scene of the 1848 student uprisings against Austrian rulers.
It is one of the great historic cafés of Italy, continuing the tradition of the cafés where to drink good coffee and meet for discussions about politics and culture.
Now, in its elegant 19th century rooms, it will be possible to also have dinner at the recently-opened restaurant helmed by chef Florian Bunea. The menu features specialties of Padua and the Veneto region, from bigoli pasta with duck ragu to Vicenza-style baccalà, and includes creative proposals as well, as a homage to the café itself, such as coffee and zucchini tagliolini, and the unmissable Torta Pedrocchi, made with coffee and chocolate. Before dinner, patrons should try the P31 green aperitif, the alternative to spritz: it’s made from the infusion of more than 20 medical and aromatic herbs, including chamomile, cinnamon, orange, mandarin, cloves, gentian, marjoram, coriander, rhubarb, ginger, vanilla, with the addition of fresh notes of absinthe, and, this being Veneto, sparkling Prosecco.
A must try is also the famous ‘caffè Pedrocchi,’ espresso served in a large cup with an emulsion of cream and mint, topped with a sprinkling of cocoa. No sugar should be added, that's why it's served without a spoon.
For more, visit https://www.caffepedrocchi.it.
