Locanda di Castelvecchio

Locanda di Castelvecchio is a restaurant at Corso Cavour 46 in Verona, in the Veneto region of northern Italy, close to Castelvecchio, the 14th-century fortress and museum on the Adige. Corso Cavour is a long street that runs from Piazza Bra toward the castle and is lined with palaces and churches, so the restaurant is well placed for visitors touring the western side of the old town. The kitchen serves Veronese and wider Italian cooking, with regional pasta and risotto at the centre of the menu. Risotto is a defining dish of the province, as the Veronese plain is a major rice-growing area, and it is typically prepared with seasonal vegetables, cheeses or local wine. Fresh regional pasta, including the thick bigoli of the Veneto, is another staple, and the menu is rounded out with meats and desserts in the traditional style. The dishes are straightforward and aimed at diners who want a good meal after a morning at the castle museum or the Roman sites. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed, a step quieter than the busy squares, with attentive service and no dress code beyond casual to smart casual. Noise levels are moderate and the pace is unhurried. Wine is part of the offer, with Veneto producers including Valpolicella, Bardolino and Soave available by the glass and bottle. Prices are moderate for the city, in line with a mid-range restaurant outside the most expensive squares. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner and during the summer opera season, when central restaurants fill early, and hours should be confirmed locally. The location is a short walk from the Castelvecchio Bridge, also known as Ponte Scaligero, the Arena and the church of San Zeno at the end of a pleasant riverside walk. It is a practical choice for visitors who want to eat close to the castle.