GRADO
TIP
Open most days until noon, the indoor market in the Piazza Duca d’Aosta has vendors serving everything you’d need for the day. You can get local vegetables, fresh flowers, cold cuts, cheeses, wine, fish and prepared foods. Try the stuffed gnocchi, which you’ll have to cook at home. Half the fun is in browsing this small but packed market.
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The seafood
The moment you drive into Grado and reach the main port, you understand the focus of the city’s cuisine. Fishing has been the city’s lifeline for centuries, and the result is a highly refined menu based on fresh seafood and local ingredients. You can head for the port as the sun rises to watch the boats come in with fish for the day. Fish is served all kinds of ways, the most popular being grilled. It’s usually the priciest dish on the menu, but you have to try the mixed grill at least once. Nearly every restaurant has its own spin on the dish, but the end result is usually this: four or five locally caught fish thrown on the grill (head and all) and served with lemon. Fish stew is a regional favorite and spaghetti alle vongole (clams) can be found on most menus.
Favorites
La Caina: A longtime staple in the city’s old section. The pizzas are great, as is there spaghetti all carbonara, a Roman favorite not easily found in Grado. The restaurant shares the busy piazza with Savial and Masurin, two other popular spots. This is a great place to enjoy dinner and let the kids run free.
Taverna al Canevon: A small picturesque bistro in the old section. The outdoor seating is limited, so come early, or go late (much more romatic). Try the mixed grill.
Cogolo: An upscale restaurant set behind a 5th century church. You’ll pay for the setting, but everything about this place is done with class.
Pescada: A popular place for an assortment of seafood. If you simply can’t go a week without sushi, this is your place. They serve a salmon and tuna sashimi appetizer.
Bonavia: Tucked away off Via Conte di Grado, this local eatery survives because of the reasonable prices and fantastic dishes.
Scoiattolo: You’ll find lots of places to enjoy pizza, day and night. This is the best.
Food to go
Since so many visitors rent apartments with kitchens, prepared foods and butcher shops remain popular. If you’re looking for something already made, try a rotisserie chicken with fries at Robi Snack. The Macelleria in the old section of town has a great selection of lasagna, cannelloni and gnocchi and a collection of roasts made daily. They’re also a butcher shop, so you’ll be able to pick up high quality cuts of chicken, beef, pork or lamb. Calamari al Passeggio along the main port has and assortment of fried fish and other goodies. If you’re looking for something to cook yourself, you’ll find a fish market a few doors down.
Ice cream
There’s always gelato within reach, and you’ll see visitors enjoying it at all hours. Two of the best are by the old port. Crema Gelato is extremely popular with tourists and locals, but when that’s too busy, Gelateria Lattepiu is just around the corner near the Hotel Hannover.
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