Where to eat in Udine, the best restaurants according to Gambero Rosso

Among mediaeval alleys and ancient palaces, under the stern gaze of the Castle that Attila had erected on the hill, Udine, just a stone's throw from Slovenia, is a city rich in history and suggestions where life flows peacefully and revolves around good food. It's no coincidence that in 2023, for the first time, it topped the annual ranking by Sole 24 Ore ( Italian national economic, political, financial daily ) on quality of life, entering the history of the annual survey on the most livable territories. After all, any time is perfect for a quick cut and a chat in a tavern. Here are the best places for a stopover, as indicated in the guides 'Ristoranti d’Italia’, 'Street Food,' and 'Pizzerie d'Italia 2024.'

Where to eat in Udine, the best restaurants according with Gambero Rosso

1905 at Hotel Là di Moret

Restaurant. A place of hospitality with a long history where the passion for gastronomy and the excellence of the territory merge with the pursuit of perfection in every detail. The courteous and experienced staff provides impeccable service, anticipating every customer's need with discretion and professionalism. The cuisine is deeply rooted in Friulian traditions, based on top-quality ingredients and prepared in a way that enhances their flavours, thanks to the skilled hand of the chef and intelligent creativity. For instance, the marinated Sutrio trout in koji and fermented summer plums or the monkfish saltimbocca in Vermouth, fresh lovage, Friulian brovada broth, black truffle, and whole grain mustard. Three tasting menus are available, optionally with wine pairing: Sartoriale, Racconti Friulani, and Ove l'acqua brilla per effetto del sole. The décor is refined, and the wine list is extensive and rich.

1905 at Hotel Là di Moret – viale Tricesimo, 276 - 0432 545096 - ristorante1905.com

Agli Amici since 1887

Restaurant. Until a few years ago, this was 'just' one of the great Italian restaurants in the province (and not just a provincial one), considering Udine is the capital of a rich and important region. Today, Agli Amici hasn't lost its position in the elite but has simultaneously become the flagship where the Scarello family conceived and studied other (important) restaurants in Rovinj – an immediate success – and the recent one in Lido di Venezia. In both cases, the view is remarkable, but even though Godia lacks the sea, the indoor environment is very pleasant, bright, with numerous design items (obviously made in Friuli because the Scarellos rightly feel ambassadors of their land) and refined mise en place. First, guests are accommodated in the blue room with a cocktail bar and visible finger food preparation, couches, and tables for an aperitif (outdoor seating in summer). Then the real experience begins. Emanuele Scarello is experiencing a happy period, full of stimuli, especially for new adventures: he has always been a technical chef without being avant-garde, passionate about raw materials (especially fish) and a lover of beauty in all aspects. The dishes of the last seasons express a cuisine that explores each ingredient in multiple variations, with joy and tastiness, whether it's a crustacean, a cut of meat, or a vegetable. About greenery, one tasting menu focuses while the other explores a wide range. The wine cellar is formidable.

Agli Amici since 1887 - via Liguria, 252 - 0432 565411 - agliamici.it

Aquila Nera

Trattoria. A well-established reference in the area, presenting itself as a contemporary osteria with carefully curated and welcoming environments and punctual and courteous service. The menu showcases local and non-local products in courses that start from the territory and then travel between creativity and new flavours: eggplant cannoli with buffalo mozzarella and tomato and a hint of anchovy, cucumber with yoghourt and apples, San Quirino bean risotto with Sauris bacon and shrimp tartare. The cellar holds many regional references and overseas labels.

Aquila Nera - via Piave, 2 - 0432 21645 – aquilanera.biz

Fred

Wine Bar. You can eat and drink well in this wine bar with a kitchen. The cellar offers a variety of Italian and overseas bubbles, along with regional references, national, and international selections, as well as bottles from lesser-known small productions. The kitchen aptly complements these options with a small menu where seasonal raw materials and carefully selected products among local artisanal excellence take the lead. The venue is modern and well-kept, the atmosphere informal and welcoming, and the service helpful and polite. They also offer some craft beers. They sell specialty foods.

Fred - via del Freddo, 6 - 0432 505059 - Facebook

Vitello d'Oro

Restaurant. One of the oldest restaurants in the city, founded even in the mid-19th century, furnished with a mix of period furniture and modern design. Located in the heart of the historic centre, it also has a comfortable outdoor space. While the evocative ambiance is the primary reason for a visit, the cuisine also deserves attention. The menu, mostly seafood-based, includes various traditional Friulian dishes. A good wine list, fitting what arrives at the table. Courteous service.

Vitello d'Oro - via E. Valvason, 4 - 0432 508982 - vitellodoro.com

Where to Eat in Udine: Best Pizzerias and Street Food

Al Cappello

Street Food. A highly frequented spot by locals and tourists alike. Here, customers are won over by tasty open-faced sandwiches, meatballs, sandwiches, omelettes, finger foods, all made with the agri-food excellence of Friuli. Sometimes, choosing a wine - like the Friulano white from Collio, for instance - prompts the lady behind the counter to suggest four matching open-faced sandwiches. They also offer first courses, such as seasonal pastas and soups, hamburgers, rich salads, and cold cuts. Wines are chosen from the wall blackboard. Tables on the pedestrian street and six rooms available for overnight stays.

via P. Sarpi, 5 - 0342 299327 - osteriaalcappello.it

Love Street Food

Street Food. In the shadow of Udine Castle, in a super relaxed atmosphere, an ideal kiosk for a coffee or a snack, accompanying it with a few small dishes with a beer or a drink. During kitchen opening hours, various options are available, from the Balkan sandwich with cevapcici and ajvar sauce to Istrian sausage and vegetable sandwiches, mixed fried fish to cod fillets. Throughout the day, the kiosk remains open for snacks and appetisers, enjoying the greenery of Zardin Grant, a beautiful city park.

Love Street Food -p.zza I Maggio, Green Kiosk - 340 2171961 - Facebook

MAMM Ciclofocacceria

Street Food. Focaccias prepared with a long fermentation process and simple, genuine ingredients. Here, where a plastic-free policy is adopted, it's truly challenging to decide which filling to choose. However, the young staff is very helpful in guiding customers towards the most suitable option. There are both perennial and seasonal flavours, some with robust tastes and others more delicate (in the autumn pairing, pumpkin cream perfectly balances the bitterness of pan-fried black cabbage and toasted hazelnuts). Enclosing the filling is an extremely crispy focaccia that's so light and crumbly it's almost like puff pastry. An excellent choice for a quick and flavorful break.

MAMM Ciclofocacceria - l.go del Teatro, 2 - 342 6191801 - mamm-udine.it

Osteria Pieri Mortadele

 Street Food. Pieri Mortadele, as the name suggests, is the historic place for a tasty slice of mortadella on a slice of bread, or with cooked ham and horseradish. You can stand at the counter or sit outside and enjoy a mixed platter with sandwiches, large salads, or a selection of regional cheeses, both aged and fresh. The menu also includes head cheese and a glass of Terrano carsolino, a Gorgonzola tartine paired with Traminer wine, and a bacon tartine complemented by a good glass of Merlot. There's a wide and excellent selection of wines, ranging from Collio whites to Friuli Doc reds.

Osteria Pieri Mortadele - via Bartolini, 8 - 0432 509234 - pierimortadele.com

Tajo

Pizzeria. In the city centre, Federico Lodolo's pizzeria offers a dual pizza style, both tray-baked and round, thin-crust. For those in a hurry, they have Roman-style tray pizzas or pizzas sold by the slice to take away, or you can sit inside or at tables on the pedestrian street during warm seasons. The establishment is simple and straightforward, going beyond the ordinary: the dough is made with a blend of type 00, type 2, and wholemeal flour, fermented for 48 hours to create a light and digestible product. The flavours are unique, like bacon and ricotta, salami and onion, leek and rocket, or the delicious mortadella, burrata, and pistachios. In the round pizza selection, those with fresh mushrooms, burrata, and basil, as well as the Marinara with fresh anchovies, burrata, cherry tomatoes, and olives, stand out for their quality. For those who want to start with something fried, we recommend the battered zucchini flowers and supplì. The beer selection in the fridge is good.

Tajo - via Savorgnana, 10a - 0432 1791614 - tajopizza.com

Tinchitè

Street Food. Tinchitè means "as much as you want" in Sicilian and is an itinerant project originating from Syracuse but based in Udine, offering customers the best of Sicilian street food. Gourmet sandwiches, fried fish, grilled meat, eggplant caponata, arancini, ending with two great classics: cannoli and granita.

Tinchitè - 393 0427220 - tinchite.com