Trattoria al Pompiere

Trattoria al Pompiere is a long-running Veronese trattoria on Vicolo Regina d'Ungheria in the Centro Storico, a short walk from Piazza delle Erbe in the Veneto region of Italy. It is best known for a generous board of local cured meats and cheeses, one of the more extensive selections in the city, which many visitors treat as a starter large enough to share. The cured meats are typical of the Veneto, and the board is usually accompanied by regional cheeses and pickled vegetables. Beyond the salumi, the kitchen cooks classic Veronese dishes. Risotto all'Amarone, made with the region's dried-grape red wine, is a signature plate and one of the dishes most closely tied to the city's cuisine. Pastissada de caval, a slow-braised horse-meat stew served with polenta, is the other emblematic Verona dish on the menu and reflects the local tradition of long-cooked winter food. The setting is a traditional trattoria rather than a fashionable restaurant: simple tables, a relaxed and talkative atmosphere and a mix of locals and visitors. There is no formal dress code, and noise levels rise in the evening when the room fills. The price level is moderate for central Verona, making it a sensible choice for visitors who want a full traditional meal without the cost of the city's fine-dining addresses. Wine is mostly regional, with Valpolicella and Amarone the natural pairings for the richer dishes, while lighter local whites suit the cured meats. Reservations are recommended, especially in the evening, and booking a day or more ahead is sensible at weekends and during the summer opera season at the Arena. The weekly closing day varies, so visitors should confirm opening times before making the trip. Its location, a few minutes from the Roman Arena, Juliet's House and the market square, makes it convenient for sightseeing days in the old town.