Winery Buonamico

Wine tasting

About an half-hour drive from Lucca, we discovered Buonamico which is a lovely winery and vineyard. We fancied the idea of wine-tasting and eating cheese with sausage, having lunch and getting a tour of the winery. Plus their prices were some of the cheapest we found. We called in to reserve our spot for 2pm.

The drive there was absolutely breathtaking. You find yourself surrounded with green views at a beautiful scenic drive. There were almost no cars. It was only us and nature.

When we arrived at the vineyard we were super impressed by the stunning view and of the design. It was one of the most beautiful vineyards/wineries I’ve ever seen. We got a thorough explanation of the place from the nice employees. We ordered some wine and cheese with Italian sausage.

We stood by the bar and one of the employees brought us pecorino cheese, salami, and some bread with locally-made olive oil. There were other 2 couples who joined us for the tasting. It is the only local winery that make their own sparkly wines. The lady told us about the process of how it’s made and it was super interesting 🙂 They are also starting to build a resort, I hope their prices wouldn’t be too high and that we could stay there.

Tour at the winery

After the tasting the other 2 couples went to have lunch and we continued with one of the guides for a tour at the winery.

It was super impressive. They have an entire area where they initially ferment the red and white wine, and there was another place where they do the fermentation at a more advanced level. There was also an area filled with barrels.

There is a wine seller of the sparkly wines, and there is another seller of all the wines that they made since they just started the winery. You can’t drink most of the wines since they expired, so you can only get them as a souvenir.

The visit at the winery was so interesting, especially since we love wine and we were fascinated by the facts of how they make the wine, and we loved the decor as well.
Tasting and a light meal is 18 euros per person. Tasting and lunch is 33 euros per person.

Address:
Via Provinciale di Montecarlo 43, 55015 Montecarlo

Montecarlo Village

Our server at the winery advised us to visit the village Montecarlo, and I’m so happy that we went. It was about 3 minutes away from the winery. The village itself lays on the top of the hill and the view from up there is absolutely breathtaking. The village has a fortress, and gorgeous allies with restaurants and cafes. The village and the fortress were built in 1333.

When we just got there, we took a stroll around the village and Roman ordered some pizza at one of the restaurants. Everything about it was lovely. After the pizza we went to the fortress and we honestly wanted to stay and live there.

The fortress

The fortress had a lovely garden that was a great viewpoint as well. We strolled around the garden and walked upstairs, that’s where we found some viewpoints that were breathtaking. We were so happy to have found the fortress, and that it was open for visitors. It was no nice to see it from the inside. It was 5 euros to enter. I recommend going to this kind of trip, it was so so lovely.

Lucca is a stunning city that lies in the Middle-Northern part of Italy. In the medieval times it was the capital of Tuscany.

Among other magnificent things, the city is known for the walls that it’s surrounded by, which were built in the Renaissance between 1504-1645. Despite the centuries that passed, the walls remained standing and since the city has expanded beyond them.

We stayed in the ancient city between the walls, and I must admit that it stole my heart from the first second I laid my eyes on it. There are many old alleys with shops, restaurants, and cafes and a unique vibe that I can’t really explain. There is so much to do and so many people, and during the summer, the locals come here as well.

Bike riding

One of the best things to do in Lucca is to rent a bike and go riding above the walls. The walls are so wide, that there is a biking trail, and even parks for children and lawns. The ride is really convenient and nice, it’s all plain so you’ll be good even if you’re not in shape. You can also ride in the city itself between the magical allies.

It was an awesome experience, and you should definitely do it. We rented our bikes from a store called Tuscany Ride-a-Bike. The cost per hour is 5 euros and 7 for 2 hours, and there is also an all-day option and even multiple days.

Viewpoint from the clock tower

I happen to love towers that have a good view to a city, and I must say that the clock tower did not disappoint me even the slightest. There is a climb, but it’s not that bad. It’s as if climbing 7-8 flights of a building, and it’s totally doable without a lot of effort.

The view is incredible and there’s a great breeze. The admittance is 4 euros, and during November-February the entrance is prohibited. Hours: March and October 9:30am-5:30pm. April-May 9:30am-6:30pm. June-September 9:30am-7:30pm.

Visit the Palazzo Pfanner Gardens

The beautiful Palazzo Pfanner Gardens are a hidden gem within Lucca’s old city. You can stroll among classical statues, fountains, and well-kept flower beds. The palace itself is small but charming, offering a peaceful and relaxing experience. Directions.

Experience the Farmers’ Market

On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, an open-air food market takes place just outside Lucca’s walls – the Lucca Farmer’s Market. You’ll find cheeses, oils, pastries, and fresh vegetables – an authentic local experience and a perfect opportunity for a spontaneous picnic on the city walls. Directions.

Step Inside the San Martino Cathedral

The Duomo di San Martino (Lucca Cathedral) is a stunning Gothic church in the heart of the city, with an impressive façade and rare artworks inside. One of the highlights is the “Volto Santo” (Holy Face) – an ancient wooden sculpture of Jesus and one of the most revered religious artifacts in Tuscany. Directions.

Self-Guided Gelato Tour

There are so many amazing gelaterias in Lucca! A few highlights include:

• Gelateria Veneta – classic Italian gelato
• Gelateria De’ Coltelli – high-quality, natural flavors

Tours in Lucca

We didn’t experience these tours ourselves, but they look cool and are reasonably priced.

• Walking tour in Lucca
• Self-guided bike tour from Lucca to Pisa
• Food tour in Lucca
• Olive and wine tour

Things to Do Around Lucca

Just a half-hour drive from Lucca, you’ll find the Buonamico Winery, one of the most unique and stunning places in Tuscany. The winery offers a variety of experiences, including wine tastings with cheese and salami snacks or a traditional lunch. Upon arrival, we were immediately impressed by the winery’s beautiful design and the panoramic views surrounding it. The wine experience here is not just about tasting, but also about learning and relaxing, with a fascinating tour of the winery’s facilities, including areas for fermentation and aging. The winery also produces sparkling wines, and we learned they are in the process of building a resort, promising to elevate the visit even further.

Not far from the winery is the charming village of Montecarlo, which we visited based on a recommendation from the winery staff. The village, located on a hill, offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. A visit to Montecarlo includes exploring its 14th-century fortress and wandering through its picturesque streets filled with restaurants and cafes. After strolling through the quaint alleys, we enjoyed a pizza at a local restaurant and visited the impressive fortress, where you can enjoy a well-maintained garden and several viewpoints that showcase the stunning landscape. An extended post about our experience.

Restaurants in Lucca

Ristorante Cantine Bernardini Lucca

This makes the list of our top 5 on our Italy trip. One day we took a trip outside of Lucca, and as soon as we got back we were just a little hungry, and we started looking for a place to eat. We came across Ristorante Cantine Bernardini Lucca, and we read some good reviews. We weren’t too hungry so we decided to eat there when we would enjoy the meal to the fullest. We booked a table for that same night and we just had a small snack.

By sunset we started getting ready; we dressed up and we walked over to the restaurant. It was already almost full, and the design was very romantic. The waiters were really nice. We ordered a sampler of 5 seafoods and we also got some bread.

I’m not a fan of bread at restaurants because I just find it too filling. However, I must say, that this was the best bread that I’ve ever had at a restaurant. It tasted like cake. I also love the seafood platter, it was delicious. For the main course we ordered ravioli filled with fish, and a meat course with beans and polenta, as well as a baked veggies course.

The ravioli was just wow. I’m serious. It was so delicate and flavorful. It was just sooo good. The meat was delicious and did not disappoint. I was already full, but I also tried the veggies, that were well-seasoned. Roman never gives up dessert, so he ordered a tiramisu and I got the panna cotta with fruit syrup. We loved the desserts. The panna cotta was light and tasty, and Roman claimed that it was the best tiramisu he has ever had. Of course, I forgot to mention, we ordered some wine and it was fantastic.
I highly recommend this place. It was one of the best restaurants of our trip by far.

Address:
Via del Suffragio, 7, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-10:30pm, closed on Mondays.

Directions

Osteria Da Rosolo Lucca

This is a great place if you’re looking for big meals and delicious food. They have good reviews only, and you can be full even if you just order a main course.
The prices are low and the food is great. For a starter, we ordered a fresh calamari salad, which was really good. For the main courses, Roman ordered 2 (he only realized that it was too much when he got them…), he got the spaghetti vengola and a polenta with mushrooms.

I got the ricotta ravioli with vongole, which is a nut sauce. It was so filling, that Roman had only a few bites of the polenta until his fork dropped. Trust me, this does not happen very often ?
Address:
Corte Campana, 3, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Hours:
Thursday-Tuesday: 12pm-2:30pm and 7pm-9:45pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
Directions.

Bottega Del Caffe Dersut

Update 2025: permanently closed

This is a lovely cafe with great pastries. On our second day at Lucca, we wanted to rent bikes and ride around the city, but it was pretty cold and rainy. So as an alternative we decided to sit at a cafe and eat something tasty until the rain stopped. We looked, and looked, until we found Bottega del Caffe Dersut. We saw that there was a large variety of pastries and it got some good reviews (we always check the reviews before we visit places.)

We ordered 2 cappuccinos and 2 croissants. It was nice, and it’s been so lovely to sit at this cafe. After a while the rain did really stop. We could finally continue with our original plan.

Address:
Via Calderia, 14, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 6:30am-7:30pm, closed on Sundays.

Q&A About Lucca

How to Get to Lucca?

We arrived in Lucca by car that we rented in Rome. The drive took about four hours, with two stops along the way. We parked the car outside the old city since it’s difficult to drive inside.

You can search for a car using the search engine Paapm Paapm. I like searching through it because it saves me time (instead of visiting several websites), and it also has an option to filter out less reliable rental companies.

It’s also possible to reach Lucca by train from Florence and Pisa. There is also a bus, but it takes longer than the train, so the train option is preferable.

Where to sleep in Lucca?

We decided to go for an Airbnb, which was charming. We would actually live there if we could. The design was beautiful, and perfect for a couple. It had the greatest kitchen of all the Airbnbs we ever stayed at.

Search for other accommodations

Where can you park the car?

Car access to the old city of Lucca is restricted. It’s recommended to park in one of the lots outside the city walls, such as:

• Punto Movieri Lucca Comics
• Parcheggio Campo di Marte

Are there taxis in Lucca?

Yes, but the number of taxis is limited. It’s usually easier to get around on foot or by renting a bike. At night, taxis can be booked via your hotel or a local phone service.

Is it better to reach Lucca by car or public transport?

If you plan to explore the surrounding area, renting a car is more convenient. However, if you’re focusing only on Lucca, taking the train is easy and fast – especially from Pisa or Florence.

When is the best time to visit?

The recommended months are:

• April to June
• September to October
  These months offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

What special events are held in Lucca?

• Lucca Summer Festival (July) – A major music festival featuring international artists
• Lucca Comics & Games (Late October – Early November) – One of Europe’s biggest pop culture and comic conventions

Nearby cities and villages worth visiting

• Pisa – 30 minutes
• Florence – 1 hour
• Viareggio – A beach town, 40 minutes
• Montecarlo – A picturesque hilltop village, 30 minutes
• San Gimignano – A bit farther, but worth the visit

Lucca is filled with beautiful buildings, ice cream parlors, cheese and sausage delis, and there are even street artists at the central Piazza. The vibes are incredible. We only spent 3 nights in Lucca, and it’s a shame that we didn’t have more time to explore the city itself.

The location of Lucca is fantastic, it’s only an half hour away from an incredible winery called Viareggio, and a bit of a longer drive to Firenze, 40 minutes away to the village Monte Carlo. If you are ever around Tuscany, you should go for a day trip or even spend a few night. You’re going to thank me.

From Lucca we continued to Lake Como by a car.

I hope my post was helpful to you. If so, I’d love for you to leave a comment here. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask them in the comments or reach out to me on the blog’s social media: Facebook and Instagram.

Looking for more information about Italy? I have more posts about Italy on the blog.

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Lake Como is actually one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in Italy. It is such a scenic and breathtaking location. There is a lot to see, a lot to do, fantastic restaurants, incredible views, and nice people.

Tips before traveling to lake Como

SIM card

I personally recommend Esim, which is an electronic SIM. I like Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. 

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How will you know that your device supports eSIM ? Very simply go to this link and you will know.

Where to sleep in lake Como?

We stayed at an Airbnb apartment close to Bellano called Dervio .
A Highly recommnded apartement – link .

Search for other accommodations

How to get to lake Como?

The easiest way is to fly to Milan airport and from there to rent a car and drive to Bellano. about 1.30 hours drive. You can also arrive there by train and a ferry but renting a car is the most recommended way.

You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through it because it saves me time (instead of going to several websites) and it also has the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies. 

Attractions in lake Como

You can get ideas for other cool tours you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attraction site is called tiqets, the second is the site Get Your Guide or via Viator.

Go around the cities and villages around the Lake

It’s really easy to transport either via train, car, or boat. While at Lake Como, we got to visit the city Bellagio, Bellano, Dervio and Lierna. Belano, Verena, and Lierna were on the same side as our little village, so we took a car to get to those places. The shortest way to get to Bellagio was by a boat.

There are cafes and restaurants all over the village. There are many things to do such as going to see the creek, the waterfalls, or even visit the stunning botanical gardens.
I wrote 2 posts about Bellagio and Bellano, where I mentioned attractions and great restaurants.

The Best Restaurant we’ve been in Italy

On the last day of our trip, we decided to go to a higher-end restaurant. We looked for recommendations for restaurants in Lake Como and there a few that got a really high ranking. We had a few options, but we ended up going to Osteria Quatro Pass. We are so happy that we got a chance to eat there, because it was the best restaurant that we ate at on the trip. (The second best was at Lucca, click HERE to read about Lucca.)

The restaurant is downhill from the main street. When we got there, we fell in love with the intimate and romantic vibes. Although its view is not to the lake, the design was amazing and the service was exceptional. There are outdoors seatings as well, but it was quite chilly that night. We happened to sit next to the couple we met at the wine bar in Bellagio. What are the odds?

For appetizers we ordered fish carpaccio, eggplant in parmesan, and fish-filled ravioli. And man, were they delicious. Every single bite was heaven to our tastebuds. For the main course I ordered spaghetti with lobster and Roman ordered ribs. He said that the ribs grilled to perfection, and I was obsessed with the spaghetti. It was so so good but I was too full to finish it all. Like I said, every bite was a touch from heaven.

I was brought an apron for my lobster, which made me giggle, but the truth is you actually need one. When you try to break it the sauce splashes all over the place.

Every dish was served as if it was a painting. Along with the food, we ordered two glasses of wine. It was the perfect ending to our Italy trip.

Address:
Via XX Settembre, 20, 23829 Varenna LC
Open everyday from 12:00-14:20 18:30-22:30

Sentiero Del Viandante: A gorgeous trail between villages

We read that there are a lot of walking trails in Lake Como, and we were happy about it because we love to walk.
We thought of which trail to take, and we ended up taking Dervio, which was 20 meters away from our apartment. There are signs which is really handy.

We had no idea where it was going to take us, but we decided to just go. It seemed like an easy trail, and the view to the lake was stunning. We walked past tiny villages and enjoyed the walk. At some point it was going uphill and we saw that the rest of the trail was the same.

The trail uphill is really neat, and it goes through forests and villages. You can’t get lost since there are signs everywhere. It was not hard, but just exhausting since it was 3 hours of just going uphill.
We came across a restaurant, but unfortunately it was closed, and we ended up going to Pozzallo. We just kept going on the dirt road to the train station Staz di Piona.

It could get a little confusing to get there, so just see which trail you’re on. Keep going straight on the road (don’t make a right, or it will be an extra hour of walking).
If you don’t feel like walking all the way back, you can take a taxi for about 20 euros to the train to get to Dervio.

We took trail B. It should take about 4-5 hours without stopping. We stopped quite a lot to take pictures, so we were done after 7 hours of walking (including a mistake that added an extra hour.)
It was absolutely worth it. It is one of the most beautiful trails we ever took.

Cocktails by the Lake

After our day trip to Belano we wanted to stop by a cafe. We ended up at Lierna village, where we found Pizzeria Riva Bianca that is right on the lake. We got some cocktails. I ordered campari and roman ordered aperol spritz. They were both refreshing and it was so nice to drink them overlooking the gorgeous lake.

I wouldn’t know if the food was good since we just ordered cocktails, but it is a great place to drink some coffee or a cocktail and enjoy the beautiful view. One more thing, there is a bathing area downhill from the restaurant. There are chairs and in the summer it’s the perfect place to go for a dip in the lake.

Address:
Via Riva Bianca, 9-10, 23827 Lierna LC

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more information about lake Como ? I have in the blog more posts about lake Como and posts about Italy.

Pin below to save on Pinterest 

Lake Como is actually one of the most beautiful places I’ve been in Italy. It is such a scenic and breathtaking location. There is a lot to see, a lot to do, fantastic restaurants, incredible views, and nice people.

One of our favourite places near Lake Como is Bellano town. During our second day at Lake Como, we decided to spend the night at Dervio, which is near by to Bellano.

We rented a car so we just parked by the entrance of the village and started walking and exploring by foot as well as visited the Orrido Di Bellano creek.

Tips before traveling to Bellano

SIM card

I personally recommend Esim, which is an electronic SIM. I like Airalo. I was very satisfied with their user experience (simple tutorial videos for operating the SIM card) and everything worked without any special problems. 

Blog followers have a 15% discount code for the Airalo company to purchase an ESIM – to redeem the discount, click on this link. The discount code is already included in the link. See it at checkout.

The biggest drawback at the moment is that some devices do not support an electronic SIM. How will you know that your device supports eSIM ? Very simply go to this link and you will know.

How we arrived to Bellano?

The easiest way is to fly to Milan airports (MXP, LIN or BGY) and rent a car and drive to Bellano. About 1.30 hours drive. You can also arrive there by train and a ferry but renting a car is the most recommended way.

You can search for a car in the search engine Papam Papam. Personally, I really like to search through it because it saves me time (instead of going to several websites) and it also has the option of filtering out non-recommended rental companies. 

Attractions in lake Como

You can get ideas for other cool tours you can do on the various attraction sites and even order through them (sometimes at a discounted price). The first attraction site is called tiqets, the second is the site Get Your Guide or via Viator.

How to get to Bellano by train from Milan?

Bellano is one of the stations of the train that departs from Milan. On the line that goes from Meliano to Tirano

From the center of Milan it is an hour and ten minute journey and its cost is: 7.40 euros in normal class and 11 euros in first class.

Link to the train’s website to order tickets and schedules

How to get to Bellano by boat?

You can reach Bellano from various towns on Lake Como. Link to the website for ordering tickets and schedules.

For example, from the town of Bellagio to Bellano there is a direct boat and the sailing time is half an hour.

How to get to Bellano by ferry?

If you have a car and want to travel with it between the different towns on Lake Como, then you have the option of taking the car to the ferry that passes through different towns such as Varenna Bellagio, Menaggio Cadenabbia

How to get to Bellano by flight?

The closest airport to Lake Como is the airport in Milan. And from there you can continue by car or train.

Where to sleep in the town of Bellano?

We slept in a nearby town called Dervio in an Airbnb apartment, but I found some options with good reviews in Bellano that can suit those who want to sleep in the town itself.

• Hotel Meridiana
• Valle dei Mulini – Lake Como
• ORO, 8
• Villa Marina – Como lake
• Patty & Bleto House

Search for other accommodations

Coffee by the Lake

As soon as we got to Lake Como we had to refuel, so we sat at a cafe to have some coffee. It was pretty cloudy, but the temperatures were good and it didn’t rain, so we decided to take our coffees outside. We were the only ones sitting on the porch and it was great 🙂 This way we took loads of pictures and videos without having people looking at us with a weird look.

There are several cafes and restaurants that are aligned along the lake, and it’s so so nice to just sit there and eat, or enjoy a cup of Italian coffee. After we had our caffeine dosage, we started walking around the village and at some point we decided to go to Orrido Di Bellano.

Orrido Di Bellano

The Orrido Di Bellano is a creek that was naturally created around 15 million years ago, that we read of before reaching to the area. We read that it’s worth paying a visit, but we had no clue that it would be so impressive.

There was a beautiful waterfall and the creek itself was just so gorgeous. For an entire hour we just walked around, and admired the beauty. The creek is easy to find. There are signs in the village that point the way. After we left, we decided to explore the hiking trails.

Address:
Via XXV Aprile, 4, 23822 Bellano LC, Italy
Hours: Everyday from 11am-1pm and 3pm-7pm. Entrance is 3 euros.

Short hiking Trail with a viewpoint to the village

We decided to follow the signs and to climb up. On the way up, we passed through a cemetery and we climbed quite a lot of stairs to get to the top. There are signs all the way to the hill, and every time you look up you discover breathtaking view of the lake and refuel with energy. The trail is about 30 minutes overall, and we saw that there were also longer trails.

Beach

If you come to Bellano in the summer then of course one of the things you should do is go to the Public beach Directions

Santuario della Madonna delle Lacrime di Lezzeno

The sanctuary is on top of a hill overlooking the lake. It has an elegant and simple baroque facade with some decorations. Next to the church, on the right, is the bell tower. The sanctuary is open every day between 8:00 and 17:00. Arrival instructions

Restaurants in Bellano

• Italian restaurant Ristorante La Darsena directions
• Che Pasta restaurant directions
• Hamburger restaurant Wonder Cafe directions

I hope my post helped you. If so, I would very much like you to respond here in the comments, and if you have any more questions, then you are also welcome to ask them in the comments or on the blog’s social networks: Facebook and Instagram. Looking for more information about lake Como ? I have in the blog more posts about lake Como and posts about Italy.

Pin below to save on Pinterest 

We stayed a Lake Como for 3 nights. We arrived to Dervio town from Lucca in Tuscany.

The city of Bellagio is known as “Como’s Pearl,” and has been known for that name since Roman Times. Bellagio is a city that lies in a beautiful location and is absolutely stunning. It was built on half an island that separates Lake Como into 2 parts. Thanks to the convenient weather, the city has plenty of trees and flowers.

At Bellagio you will find a villa with stunning botanical gardens, a lovely fishing village, variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and mostly a lot of beauty! We actually took a boat to get to Bellagio since we were at the other side of the lake. It costs 18 euros for the both of us to both directions. We parked in Varenna, where we got on the boat, and parking costs 6 euros from 12pm-8pm.

There is also a boat back at 10pm. You can even get your car on the boat if you wanted to for an additional cost. It was a short sail of 15 minutes, and we viewed all the villages surrounding the lake, and it was absolutely beautiful.

Villa Malzi

As soon as we got to Bellagio we went to Villa Malzi, which was about a 10-minute walk from the boat. The villa was built between 1808-1815. The beautiful gardens lay near the lake. Francesco Malzi Darryl worked with the architect Jokondo Albroli, and asked that he would design a beautiful and extravagant villa.

The English gardens are well-designed. There are so many sculptures and flowers everywhere. The gardens were designed by the architect Luigi Canonica and by the botanic Luigi Villoresi. From the first moment we stepped on the lawns we were amazed by the beauty. We were there at the beginning of May, and the colors were just so vibrant and beautiful! We took countless of pictures, with the beautiful lake in the background.

We walked around the gardens for 2 hours and if we wouldn’t have been hungry, we would probably stay for longer.
Address:
Via Lungolario Manzoni, 22021 Bellagio
Hours: Everyday 9:30am-6:30pm. Tickets are 6 euros per person.

Lunch at Bellagio

After our visit to the villa we continued to the city square and had lunch. We found a restaurant called Bar Caffe Rossi that views the lake. The vibes were great and the food smelled delicious. I ordered spaghetti bolognese and Roman ordered pasta with cheese and spinach. Both courses were good and the prices were decent.

We checked out the coffee and pastries and they seemed really good as well.
Address
Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, 22

After we finished our meal and got back to exploring the streets, Roman, being usual Roman, was still hungry so he got a salami and cheese sandwich at an Italian deli. It was only 3.5 euros and Roman really liked it.

MICHELE GILARDONI
Alimentari – Salumeria – Rosticceria Via Bellosio,1

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Fisherman village – Pescallo

After the deli we continued exploring, and we started walking towards the fisherman village that we saw beforehand. We took the shortcut. You can either take the road which is longer, or climb up a staircase and shorten the way.

There are signs, just follow them and not Google. Climbing the stairs was not hard, there were just a lot of them. The village itself is really unique. It is very calm and quiet. There are even hotels and apartments, so for those who seek for some peace of mind then this is the place to go. We walked around the village and then got back to the city.

An Amazing Wine Bar at Bellagio

To finish our amazing day in Bellagio, we went to the wine bar that we had reservations for. We got there in the early evening and it was just the two of us. After a little while a few more people walked in. The bar is super romantic and they serve a lot of different kinds of wine. Their menu is just bottomless. We ordered 3 glasses each. Even though we didn’t drink everything, we wanted to taste as many wines as we could, and it was good enough to have just one glass.

I ordered some white sparkly wine and then another kind. I’m a white wine kind of person. Roman started off with a rose, continued with white wine, and finished with some red. For snacks we ordered a cheese platter with the stronger flavors, but the menu also ordered a mild cheese plate. It was served along with hazelnuts, yum. We also ordered a fish platter, and each fish was cooked differently.

I must say that the fish and cheese were the perfect match with the wines, and they were delicious. Our server was really nice, and she explained about each wine and also recommended a few according to our taste. The place was beautifully designed, and practically magical.

We actually met another couple that were there when we were and got back because they wanted to get another taste of the place.

Enoteca Cava Turacciolo
Address:
Salita Genazzini, 3, 22021 Bellagio
Hours:
Thursday-Tuesday: 10:30am-1pm, 6pm-midnight. Closed on Wednesday and during the winter.

Hacarmel Market is one of our favorite market in Tel Aviv.

Chi-Chu sandwiches

Address Rabi Akiva St 20
Opening hours: Sunday- Thursday 10:00-18:00 and Friday 10:00- 16:00

Moroccan sandwiches stall. The stall is designed in a cool, modern way. They offer a varied sandwiches menu that can also be suitable for vegans.

In their options of sandwiches you can find: beef cutlets, lamb cutlets, fish cutlets, chicken cutlets, vegetable fritters and beetroot fritters. With the sandwich you also get a salad on the side and soda pop. The price range is between 32-35 shekels.

We tried the fish cutlet sandwich. It came inside a great bun and with tahini, matbucha (a salad with Moroccan origins), spicy, parsley, tomato, and pickled lemon (of course you can change the toppings if you want). The fish was so delicious and all the flavours combined really well, and the salad was also very good. The meal was filling and it’s a nice option for a light, inexpensive, and very tasty meal.

They also have another branch in Haifa.

Beer Bazaar

Address : Yishkan St 36
Opening hours: Sunday- Thursday 10:00- last customer. Friday 10:00- 16:00

Great bar with a large and varied menu of beers and special beers. This is the place to come and grab a beer and something tasty to eat. In their menu they offer small dishes, medium-sized dishes and large dishes.

Example of dishes from the menu: taramosalata with onion and bread, garlic bread with tahini and tomato, fish dish- hering, Matthias, and smoked Plamida with sour cream, vegetables and bread. The prices range between 9-42 shekels

We tried the taramosalata and it was great with the beer. We tasted some of the beers and really liked a beer that in the menu they call “Dodash’cha” (your aunt).
Every month they have theme days like Indian night, unlimited beer night, etc.

Every Monday they add special vegan dishes to the menu. And on Friday afternoon the atmosphere there is awesome.
They also have a beer stall in the heart of the market. And they have other branches in Habima, Tel Aviv, and the Machane Yehuda market in Jerusalem.

Market restaurant

Address: Simtat HaCarmel 41
Opening hours Sunday-Tuesday 09:00-18:00, Wednesday-Thursday 09:00- last customer, Friday 09:00-16:00

Bar restaurant with Greek and Spanish cuisine. They have alcohol (of course) and a great menu with excellent dishes and specials of the day.
Examples of dishes from the menu: Salmon/Matthias with sour cream and vegetables, shakshuka with goat cheese, stuffed vine leaves on tzatziki, spicy roasted vegetables.

Prices range between 19-46 shekels
We ordered the roasted vegetables and an Asher’s sandwich (the chef’s special sandwich). The two dishes were very good and the sandwich was juicy and spicy with great olives on the side. It’s a great place for a meal and drink

Hachalal (The space)

Address: Malan St 46
Opening hours: Coffee shop Sunday-Thursday 09:00-18:00, Friday 09:00-16:00
Bar Sunday- Thursday 19:00-last customer

It’s a big space that includes a coffee shop, bar, and gallery
We only visited the coffee shop and the coffee was very good. The worker gave us a little tour of the gallery and bar .
The design of the place is really modern and beautiful and the bar is very big with a lot of space.

Uzi-Eli the etrogman

Address: Alenby 60, Alenby corner and Hacarmel st
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 08:00-19:30 and Friday 08:00-16:00

Uzi-Eli’s famous citrons shop is a refreshing place in the Hacarmel market that sells varied types of therapeutic juices for the body. They also sell lotions and sprays.

You can choose a juice from the varied options or ask them to make you something else according to the fruits and vegetables that you want.
I like to choose from the ones that have already been prepared and it is also nice because you can choose a small glass for 5 shekels.

You can also ask to taste the juice before you buy it.
All the juices I tried were very good and with unique flavors.
They have another branch in the Mahane Yehuda market in Jerusalem that has been open for more than 20 years.

Tel Aviv is filled with restaurants, and not just any restaurants, but exceptional ones. The guidelines that made me write today’s post are restaurants that have the combination of delicious food, fair prices, good service and great vibes.

I’m not writing this because I critique restaurants, but I’m just someone who appreciates great food 🙂 I’m sure I missed some other great places but I promise to update this post once in every few months, so you’d want to subscribe to my newsletter and get updated as soon as I put my eyes on an awesome new place.

All restaurants mentioned in this post are my favorites, and I arranged them according to price. Every vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free can find a dish, and there are a couple of kosher ones.

If you’d like to experience Tel Aviv’s culinary scene from a unique perspective, I personally love food tours and highly recommend joining the Tel Aviv Food Tour, a fun, flavorful, and engaging experience that reveals the city’s authentic tastes and hidden gems.

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Hashakshukia (The Shakshuka Place)

This is a homey shakshuka place that is also kosher. It’s located on Ben Yehuda and Gordon. You can find the best shakshukas there. They are simple, easy on the oil, and there’s a large variety. For an appetizer I love getting the garbanzo beans dish. Careful while asking for extra spicy, it will put your mouth in flames (there’s level 1 spicy and level 2). I love my shakshuka spicy.
Hours: SU-TH 10am-4pm and 6pm-10pm F:10am-4pm SA: closed.

Wok Republic

Asian style noodles. They have 2 locations in Tel Aviv. I frequently visit the Ben Yehuda location. It’s a street style resturant that serves asian noodles. The design is cool and you can even see the cooks in action through the outside window.

Their dishes are delicious, large, and very appetizing. Sometimes we like to sit there, and other times we just take our food to go and do a picnic at the park. I love the shrimp noodles and chicken satay noodles. Every single dish I’ve ever tried was super good. They also make deliveries. Hours: Sunday-Saturday 12pm-12am

Hummus VeShut (Hummus and Co) 

A hummus place on Florentin that serves extraordinary hummus. They also serve msabaha, shakshuka, roasted cauliflower, fries, salads and cooked dishes. They have a good lunch menu that applies every day all day. You can go there for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10am-12am, Fri: 10am-6pm, Saturday: 10am-12am

Tenat

An Ethiopian restaurant in South Tel Aviv. This restaurant serves vegan Ethiopian food. We haven’t been in Ethiopia yet, but our friend has and she said that this one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in Israel.

In this restaurant, you can eat Injera, a flat Ethiopian bread made of Teff flour (Gluten free). Its taste is sort of sour and its texture is spongy. On top of the Injera, you will get several dishes and salad. A dish for 2 people costs 45 shekels and it’s rather filling.

You can also order an Ethiopian broad bean. So yummy. Another good dish is Injera with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes. They also have great drinks and deserts. If you haven’t tried Ethiopian food yet, Tenat is the restaurant to begin with.

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Ouzaria

Greek food place. Located in the Levinsky market. The vibes are great and the food is amazing. There are some cheap appetizers that you can order a variety and share them. The shitel dish was great and one of my favorites is the shrimp & dried tomatoes, and in fact, it’s one of the greatest shrimp dishes I’ve had. Hours: Sunday-Friday 12pm-12am, closed on Saturday

Java Bar

Cafe-restaurant located on Ben Yehuda and Jabotinsky. If you’re looking for a place that serves some cheap alcohol and great food then this is your place. They have a breakfast/lunch menu and dinner. We were there a few times, but only for dinner. Regardless, everything we ever ordered was super good. It’s a great place to go on a date or just to hang out with friends.

Hours: Sunday-Friday: 8am-2am Saturday: 9am-2am

Ijo and Bavette

Bar and restaurant, located on Dizengoff and Gordon. They have a great happy hour during the week from 5pm-8:30pm – all the alcohol on the menu is buy 1 get 1 free. The food is great. I love the lentil msabaha, the sabih salad, and they also have some great sandwiches. For dessert, I love the nutella crepe which is so so good.

The vibes are good and chill, and they serve great cocktails. Great place for going out.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 5pm-2am, Friday 12pm-2am, Saturday 5pm-2pm

Alora

A great Italian restaurant. They have 2 locations, one on Ben Gurion and the other is on Rothchild. We’ve been to both and liked them. I’m not the biggest fan of Italian food because sometimes I find it too heavy, but Alora makes high quality food that is fresh and not too heavy. Last time I was there I ordered a gnocchi dish that was one of the best I’ve ever had.

The flavors were subtle, and it’s handmade in-house, and you can taste it. It was soft and absolutely great. We dined with my husband’s family and everybody were happy with their dishes. We ordered so much food. On the table we had some pizza, lasagna, pasta and seafood, and even pasta with mushrooms.  The prices were just right and the main course was large enough to not order an appetizer.

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Eva Sappi

A kosher Moroccan restaurant located in Neve Tzedek. The entire place is decorated with Moroccan style, the vibe is really nice and the food is great. The couscous is handmade, and it so so good. I ordered the veal couscous course and I couldn’t even leave a single bite on the plate from how good it was. It just melts-in-your-mouth-amazing and it’s so subtly flavourful. The hot fish dish was great as well, and the starters were amazing too. Definitely worth a visit. Hours: Sunday-Friday 6pm-3am, Saturday: 9:30pm-3am (sometimes it opens for lunch, just make a call if you’re craving this.

Delida

A restaurant located at the Levinsky Market. I’m pretty sure that we tasted from all dishes and they were all good. None of them was bad so that’s always a sign for a good restaurant. The zucchini creme is amazing, the bull tail sambusak is great, and their opening courses are absolutely addicting. They have pepper brule that is a combination of sweet and spicy, always a winner.

I highly recommend checking out this place and especially on weekdays from 5pm-7pm because they have a special happy hour where the entire menu is 50% off (.). You can’t go wrong with that killer deal. Hours: Sunday, Monday, and Thursday: 5pm-2am, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 12pm-2am

Kalamata

Greek food with a view that’s hard to beat – the Mediterranean Sea at the Jaffa Port. The restaurant is located at the Kedumim Circle at Jaffa, where you’ll find yourself sitting watching over a beautiful view, and there’s great breeze.

My favorites are the fish kebab, little fried fish, and the fish filet with risotto and mushrooms. I recommend going during the day and ask for a table by the window (where you’ll see the sea.) Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-last customer leaves, Thursday-Saturday 12pm- last customer.

Romano

If you are an Eyal Shani fan (I sure am), then this place is a must-go.

The restaurant is located on Derech Jaffa street, there is a lively hipster vibe with great music and amazing service. Eating there is a pure culinary experience. The fries dish is the best I’ve ever had. I must mention that Abraxas North and Port Saiid are amazing as well. They don’t have a phone number, and some people don’t really like the hipster vibes but I think it gives the place character and the food is awesome. Worth trying.

Santa Catarina

A chef restaurant that’s located at the big synagogue place on Allenby. I loved sitting on the bar and watching the chef and cooks in action. The food was delicious, especially while comparing it to other chef restaurants. We were so full by the time we finished, and the check was really reasonable. The eggplant soup was surprisingly delicious. The pizzas were fantastic and I especially enjoyed the crab bruschetta.
Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12:30pm-4pm and 6pm-midnight, Friday 13:30pm-5pm, Saturday 7pm-midnight

Tasting Room

A wine bar with Spanish style cuisine that’s located in Sarona. You can get a ticket and recharge it for wine tastings. The space is really intimate and nice. It’s a great pick for the wine lovers both because the food is great and the wine. The bree course with the honey was really good.

The potato course sounded simple, but it was surprisingly delicious. Cheese platter is great as well, and actually, we just enjoyed everything that we ordered. Hours: Sunday-Thursday & Saturday 5pm – last customer, Friday: 12pm – last customer

All the restaurants that we tried in Hurfeish  (north Israel) were amazing. Everything is of local production. Everything is fresh, the places are clean, quiet, with a homey atmosphere and of course with awesome food. Read about things to do in Hurfeish and lodging .

Druze Pita

On the main road (road 89) there is a sign that says: “Alulid point druze pita”.
From whole wheat flour.
The woman who runs the place is Kochav Pars (Kochav in Hebrew means star). And like her name, she is really a star there. Every morning she makes fresh pitas, labaneh (soft white goat’s milk cheese) , and stuffed grape leaves with rice.

Everything is homemade, and her sister makes the hyssop (spice from herb) . Kochav prepared for us a pita with labane, hyssop and a little bit of spice. We also ordered the stuffed leaves that were excellent. But the pita was WOW. that was the best pita we ever ate. It was crunchy and huge (i ate only half, but i took the other half take with me). People all around the country are coming to eat here and i understand why.

In the winter, the place is covered, and there is a fireplace.
The place is open every day from 08:-21:00 (sometimes even later).
We arrived at this place as part of a tour

Sambusak Haarazim

In Hurfeish there are several Sambusak’s places (sambusak: These savory turnover pastries, similar to hand pies, are stuffed with a variety of fillings, from ground lamb or beef to chickpeas to cheese and more).

We decided to try this place: Sambusak Haarazim. I don’t know how the rest of the food is, but i tasted the best sambusak ever. They make everything fresh every day. I tried the cheese sambusak with tomato sauce (called “sambusak pizza”) and Roman tried the lamb sambusak. They both were amazing. They are so delicious and filling. It was so good that we decided to buy 10 sambusaks for take away and put them in our fridge.

Nimer Shawarma

The shawarma is on the main road across from bank “Mercantil”. I was already full from the sambusak, so i just watched Roman eat. He ordered Shawarma in taboon bread. The salads you can put but yourself so it’s nice. Roman said that the shawarma is really good and he was satisfied that they gave him a lot of meat and the taboon bread was thin.

Yarden Bakery

It’s also on the main road. The moment we arrived there,the Knafeh was already finished (Knafeh is a Middle Eastern cheese pastry soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup). The owner of the place asked us if we want to wait 20 minutes and she will make a new one.

Of course we wanted her to. Meanwhile, we sat and ordered coffee. After 20 minutes, the Knafeh was ready, and she served it to us. The Knafeh was stuffed with fresh goat cheese (the cheese is imported specially from dairy farms). The Knafeh is a true delight.

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Pninat Hahar restaurant

Also on the main road across from the druze pita. Really good middle Eastern restaurant. They have great salads, meat dishes like lamb chops and shish kebab, hummus, chips and good desserts. The restaurant is clean and welcoming, if you are hungry, this is definitely the place to eat lunch.

If you are looking for an idea for a vacation in Israel in a different style, you had better read this post about the Druze hospitality in Hurfeish village in the north of Israel. This vacation isד suitable for families, couples, or friends who want an authentic and fascinating Druze experience.

Hurfeish is a Druze village located in the Upper Galilee. It has a population of 6200, 96% of them are Druze and the other 4% are Christians. The village is quiet and clean. The people there are humble and adorable. It’s filled with interesting sites, holy places, great projects, hiking trails, and delicious food. Map
Read about recommended restaurants in Hurfeish.

Druze lodging in Hurfeish

Yearot Havadi zimmer

Romantic cabin, beautifully designed in Druze style. In the site there are two cabins with huge balconies and a shared Hot tub Spa.
Each cabin has a private bathroom and a second floor (gallery floor) with a bed (so it’s suitable for couples and families as well).

We went to the cabins with another couple and it was amazing. The view from the balcony is breathtaking.
The price per cabin is around 500 shekels and it includes a big Druze breakfast (for every kid it’s 100 shekels extra).

There is an option to also order a Druze dinner and you can buy homemade products like olive oil, jams, and more, we bought the olive oil and apple jam that were great.
Naaman and his family are fabulous hosts and we had an amazing time staying in their cabins. I really recommend it. Naaman’s phone 053-9418709

Annan zimmer in Hurfeish

The zimmer is a big area with four rooms. Three rooms have a double bed, a  single one, and a private bathroom. One more room is a big room with a double bed and a lot of mattresses.
There is a shared equipped kitchen and a huge balcony. A part of the balcony is covered (for the winter). The place is suitable for families, friends, and couples.

The balcony outside has two tables and breakfast is served there.
The view from the balcony is over all the Hurfeish village.
The price for a couple is 400-500 shekels and includes a big Druze breakfast.
There is an option to also order dinner (Druze or BBQ).

Another thing that you can order is a tour with the owner, Hamdan. He is a tour guide and he can take you to a great tour in the village (separate payment). You can book the tour even if you are not staying in his zimmer.
Hamdan and his family were super nice and great hosts. Hamdan’s phone 050-6948590

Things to do in Hurfeish

Hiking trail

Hiking in a trail called “shvil habanim” (trail for the boys). It’s a long trail that covers 226 km and passes through 18 Druze villages. The trail in Hurfeish is a small part of it. It’s about 4.5 km. The trail is easy to walk and it’s also suitable for kids. It has several springs and it’s really nice to walk there.

There are other trails you can do that are more difficult (there are several ones signalized with different colors). The trail is not circular, so it’s recommended to leave the car at the end of the trail.

Tour in Hurfeish

You can go independently to each landmark that I will mention, but I think that the tour with Hamdan has added value. Hamdan (the owner of “Annan” zimmer) explains everything: he talks about the tradition, history of each place, and answers every question. The tour is about 2-3 hours and I really recommend it.

D”r ziad dabour visitor center

Ziad, son of a Druze family, was born in the village of Beit Jann in the heart of Mount Meron Nature Reserve which is the largest and richest in medicinal herbs in Israel. His childhood years were spent in the company of his grandfather, a farmer with ties of love to the soil of the Galilee.

A deep understanding of the natural components that contribute to the biochemical and physiological processes of the skin, constitute an inexhaustible resource in the research, development and production of a series of specialty products for the protection, health and the youthful look of the skin.
The center is open Monday-Saturday 10:00-16:00 and the entrance is free

The memorial center for Nabia Marai

The memorial is located across from the visitor center
Nabia Marai was born in Hurfeish. He was the first Druze that was accepted to join the paratroops. And at the moment of his death he was with the highest rank Druze who died during military service.

He was killed in 1996 and six months later the memorial center opened in his brother’s first-floor house. His sister-in-law (Amal) maintains the center voluntarily.
You can visit the center through an appointment with Amal.

Lace makers

In the heart of the village of Hurfeish, resides the Hurfeish Women Center for Traditional arts & crafts.
35 religious women, housewives, assemble for a social gathering and engage together in their common hobby of embroidery and knitting. It is a hobby inherited from their mothers and grandmothers and is passed down in the family from one generation to the next.

The meeting is the result of a touristic cultural and social initiative, designed to promote the status of Druze women and to integrate them in the workforce, while preserving their traditional handicraft and enabling them to help in the household economy.

You can order their products online or come to the place itself and hear about the amazing project and be impressed by their products.
Product prices range from 5 shekels for a hairpin to 1200 shekels for a bed-spread.

Nebi Sabalan

He is one of the prophets of the Druze ethnic group. He spread the Druze religion 1000 years ago in Hurfeish. He lived there in a cave. The cave and all the site are considered as a holy place.

The site is located on top of the mountain so the view from there is wonderful. Every 10th of September there’s a pilgrimage to his cave with people all around the world.

Eilat is a great city for a vacation in Israel. You can find a lot of beaches there, great hotels, bars, water activities, attractions, a beautiful promenade, and more.

The brewery

“The brewery” was opened a year ago and the restaurant itself before half a year and I’m glad it did, because this place is awesome and decorated really impressively. All the decoration is with a beer theme. On the side you will see the brewery itself. There are really special beers and in the beginning the waitress served a tray with samples of beers. After tasting the samples you can decide which one you prefer. I loved the ginger beer, but also the rest were tasty (and I’m a person that is not a big fan of beer). The food menu is attractive and the prices are reasonable. We ordered small dishes of beef jerky and fish on toast. Mid dishes of homemade sausage and potato stuffed with a lot of good things and fish in beer with chips. The dishes were excellent and all the flavors matched great with the beer. This place is really awesome.

Opening hours are Saturday-Thursday 14:00 until the last of the customers and on Friday 13:00 until the last of the customers,

5th Avenue

A restaurant-bar in Eilat that was open a year and a half before by Shlomi, one of the owners of Evani beach. The place’s design is modern and impressive.

From 19:00-22:30 the concept of the place is more of a restaurant, and from 22:30-02:00 the place transfers to bar atmosphere (the food menu is the same). We arrived there to hang out and drink cocktails. I ordered a mojito cocktail based on acai, berries, cinnamon and chili (I like spicy cocktails) and Roman(my husband) ordered a cocktail based on cucumber, gin, and lemon.

For desert we had the Mexican hot chocolate with a cold chocolate chili cream and white chocolate ball with passionfruit.  The cocktails and dessert distribution way was in a very high-standard. Shlomi himself served us the desert and he spilled the chocolate cream on the ball until it melted. The service was great and the atmosphere was fun and cool. I

t’s certainly a place that’s worth visiting while you are in Eilat to eat and to hang out. Don’t miss it.
Opening hours 19:00-02:00

Barbaris restaurant in Eilat

A Hamburgers restaurant that is very good. The restaurant been open for many years and they even changed their location in order to expand. The thing that I loved about this restaurant is that they have a lot of sauces like garlic with honey, or palm sauce.

We ordered the Entrecote hamburger with garlic spread and lamb hamburger with egg and bacon, and mushrooms on the side. Both of the dishes were excellent. The service was very good and we really enjoyed our dinner there.

Opening hours 12:00-01:00

Mosh beach

Vegetarian food that is surprising and really tasty. We ordered their dish of Sabich (potato, eggplant, egg, and hummus) in a plate and crispy pita breads on the side. And another dish of lentils and also pita breads on the side. The dishes cost around 40 shekels and were very filling. This a great beach to come to eat and to sit with friends or read a book.

Opening hours 08:00-20:00

To read about recommended beaches and things to do click here.