Where to eat in Collio Goriziano, the 12 best restaurants picked by Gambero Rosso

The landscape of the Collio Goriziano, punctuated by villages and vineyards, can be travelled by motorbike or bicycle, visiting wine cellars, tasting wines and excellent products, first and foremost the extraordinary prosciutto. In Gorizia, the ideal capital of the area and a city of Mitteleuropean charm waiting to be discovered, the Festival of Saint Andrew takes place from December 2nd, a much-awaited event for locals and tourists alike that enlivens the city centre. A further valid excuse to spend a weekend in these parts, in total relax.

Here the 12 best restaurants in Collio Goriziano

Where to eat in Gorizia

Alla Luna

Trattoria. There is a pleasant atmosphere in the characteristic Pintar family restaurant, which for many years has been a safe address both for an aperitif or snack at the counter and for a longer, more relaxed break. Elena, the latest generation, is in the dining room and looks after customers with care and smiles while her mother Celestina is in the kitchen. From her skilful hands come generous portions of barley and bean soup, gulash, salami alla friulana, and salt cod. Traditional desserts rare to find elsewhere, and local wines.

Alla Luna – via Oberdan, 13 – 0481 530374 – trattoriaallaluna.com

La Tarantella

Pizzeria. The ambience is traditional in style and the atmosphere familiar and cosy, with tables also in the comfortable outdoor area. The menu offers a wide choice of pizzas, from classic to special, from the most usual to the most exclusive flavours. The dough of the pizzas is soft and light, easily digestible, even in a whole-wheat version; only quality products are used for the filling. Among the special pies, is the “Tarantella” pizza, with its combination of many ingredients with genuine flavours and a simple, good taste, is a must try.

La Tarantella – corso Italia, 99 – 0481 31155 – Facebook

Where to eat in Capriva del Friuli

Orzan

Agritourism. Attached to a family-run wine estate, it is a cosy restaurant open at weekends (booking is a must) where you can enjoy traditional dishes accompanied by “house” wines. For starters, homemade cold cuts and Sauris prosciutto, then gnocchi with wild boar ragout, goulash with polenta, grilled pork loin, and desserts of the day. The sales outlet sells farm bottles and typical products. Visits and tastings can be organised.

Orzan – via G. Mazzini, 48 – 0481 809419 – orzanwines.com

Tavernetta al Castello

Restaurant. It is worth a visit if only for the magnificent 12th-century castle where the refined resort with rooms amidst the vineyards and splendid views of the Collio is now located. The gourmet cuisine keeps pace with a creative style where excellent ingredients make the difference. Some menu highlights: pork neck marinated in honey and fermented black garlic, paccheri pasta stuffed with beef tail, pine nuts and Madagascar fondant, saddle of venison on milk parsley shallot and celeriac. Good cellar.

Tavernetta al Castello – località Spessa, 7 – 0481 808228 –  castellodispessa.it

Where to eat in Cormòns

Al Cacciatore de La Subida

Restaurant. A great family, the Sirks, who in the heart of Collio have created a resort with beautiful rooms, tavern, shop and the restaurant proper. The first tasting menu revisits memory and tradition (tortelli from the Idrija Valley or venison, trout and pistachio). The second tasting menu goes further with char ceviche, wheat flour and Ribolla marc. Many fine bottles in the cellar, where Friuli companies dominate.

Al Cacciatore de La Subida – via Subida, 52 – 0481 60531 – lasubida.it

Trattoria Al Giardinetto dal 1898

Restaurant. In the centre of town, the Zoppolatti family has been at the helm of a pleasant restaurant for many years: two tastefully furnished dining rooms, comfortable tables, carefully prepared mise en place, and a charming outdoor area. The cuisine is a fusion of old Austro-Hungarian recipes and Collio Gorizia traditions, with a marked influence from neighbouring Slovenia and Friuli. The centred pairings and precise cooking are good, and the wine list is excellent, with local wineries in the spotlight.

Trattoria Al Giardinetto dal 1898 – via G. Matteotti, 54 – 0481 60257 – Facebook

Where to eat in Dolegna del Collio

L’Argine a Vencò

Restaurant. Chef Antonia Klugmann and her sister Vittoria (partner, right-hand man and head of the dining room), here amid lush vegetation, work for 25 people at a time, including those who stay the night. The restaurant with its large windows is sober, no design extras: the show is in the two tastings (Il Nostro Menu of six courses and Territorio: Vita in Movimento of ten courses) that tell of a refined, delicate and light cook. From the cellar, many bottles from the territories of the heart. Reservations are essential, and well in advance.

L’Argine a Vencò – località Vencò, 15 – 350 5212804 – largineavenco.it

Ronchi Rò

Restaurant. A reality born around a renovated farmhouse to tell the story of Collio with minimalism and few luxuries, taking guests into the woods to forage and cook with fire. There could be no shortage of agri-fine dining, with a beautiful wooden dining room (there are only 12 seats, so it goes without saying that reservations are a must) and an open kitchen that is the realm of Fares Issa, who is good with excellent local ingredients for simple but effective dishes. The wines are produced at the agriturismo. Beautiful rooms are also available.

Ronchi Rò – località Cime di Dolegna, 12 – 371 4295269 – ronchiro.it

Where to eat in Medea

Osteria Vinars

Trattoria. Just a few minutes from the A4 toll booth, a stop that leaves its mark, attached to the Brumat winery. The arcade and garden are striking, the interior is fascinating, with its refined elegance, wooden floors, warm and tasteful furnishings, a beautiful counter, and a collection of small English tureens. At the table, tradition triumphs, starting with appetisers of cold meats, dairy products and high-quality cheeses. Then polenta, cotechino with brovada, the very typical “toc” in braide. Top-class maison wines (Due Bicchieri in the Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia 2024 guide).

Osteria Vinars – corso Friuli, 46 – 335 6299703 – vinibrumat.com

Where to eat in Mossa

Trattoria Blanch

Trattoria. Boasting more than a century of history, the Blanch family's trattoria preserves an atmosphere of yesteryear in its well-kept spaces (with a pleasant courtyard-garden in fine weather) and preserves the gastronomic tradition of Collio. Meals begin with knife-cut prosciutto San Daniele, and continues with tasty home-made pasta, potato gnocchi, main courses of fur or feathered game, roasts, and mushrooms with polenta. Closing dessert with strudel or Catalan cream. The wine cellar follows the territorial vocation.

Trattoria Blanch – via Blanchis, 35 – 0481 80020 – trattoriablanch.it

Where to eat in San Floriano del Collio

Osteria Gostilna Ko’ršič

Trattoria. Well embedded in the landscape of the gentle Collio hills dotted with vineyards, is this cosy establishment run with passion by Damjan and Hadrijana, both of whom are in love with their land and firm believers in the importance of genuine ingredients. Depending on the season you will find vinegar salami with polenta, spätzli with speck, pork fillet with plums, grilled Slovenian beef, chocolate palačinke (crêpes). Good drinking, scenic and bright ambience.

Osteria Gostilna Ko’ršič – località Sovenza, 7 – 0481 884248 – korsic.it

Vogrič

Trattoria. Surrounded by green orchards and vineyards, it is a spacious restaurant that combines large numbers with a respectable level of quality. The cuisine is strictly traditional, with genuine, home-made dishes: plum gnocchi, handmade tagliatelle with goulash, roast veal shank with potatoes, and grilled meats galore. The wine cellar favours local labels. For those wishing to prolong the pleasure of a stopover there is the availability of simple, well-kept and quiet rooms.

Vogrič – via Uclanzi, 23 – 0481 884095 – vogric.it