Location: Province of L'Aquila
Top Restaurants in Province of L'Aquila
Top Things to do in Province of L'Aquila
Province of L'Aquila Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Province of L'Aquila
The Province of L'Aquila (Provincia dell'Aquila) is the largest, most mountainous and least densely populated province of the Abruzzo region of Southern Italy. It comprises about half the landmass of Abruzzo and occupies the western part of the region. It has borders with the provinces of Teramo to the north, Pescara and Chieti to the east, Isernia (in Molise region) to the south and Frosinone, Rome and Rieti (in Lazio region) to the west. Its capital is the city of L'Aquila. The Province of L'Aquila includes the highest mountains of the Apennines (Gran Sasso, Maiella and Velino-Sirente), their highest peak, Corno Grande, the high plain of Campo Imperatore, and Europe's southernmost glacier, the Calderone. The province's major rivers are the Aterno-Pescara, Sangro, Liri, Salto, and the Turano; its major lakes are Lago Scanno and Lago Barrea. It once included the largest lake on the Italian peninsula, Lago Fucino, which was drained in one of the 19th century's largest engineering projects. The lake basin is today a flourishing agricultural area and an important technological district.
Things to do in Province of L'Aquila
1. Ristorante La Stozza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 856 reviews
Reviewed By Angelainitaly
Excellent restaurant in Ovindoli in the Abruzzo Mountains - black truffles are a speciality. We have been here several times with my husband's parents and every time have had the warmest of welcomes and excellent food made with the freshest of products. The nice thing is all customers are welcomed this way whether they are regulars or the first time.
This last time, last weekend, was no exception. We went for Saturday lunch, and were warmly greeted by the chef, Oswaldo who explained the specials of the day. My view is, always accept the recommendation of the chef and we were right to do so. We started with some mixed "antipasti", Carpaccio of Bison with a balsamic and raspberry dressing was delicious' as was the carpaccio of venison lightly warmed in it's dressing; Breast of Goose Bruschetta & Lardo Bruschetta topped with black truffles; grilled tomino (cheese) with speck and a griddled scamorza (another cheese) again with truffles. We are still on the starter here!
For first course (pasta) there are a lot of hand made pasta dishes to choose from - my husband chose the excellent ravioli filled with pumpkin and a walnut sauce. For the main course we all took the chef's recommendation - neck fillet of Pata Negra pig, griddled an presented on a hot stone topped with black truffle shavings and lonzo (cured loin), in this case of a Hungarian pig which apparently is hairy like a sheep!
After all that we were pretty full so just followed with Fruitini - little mini sorbets where the outside of real fruits have the flesh removed, made into a sorbet and returned to the fruit!
2. Locanda Madonna delle Vigne
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 490 reviews
Reviewed By tj0nesbari - Boston, Massachusetts
We arrived and they began to serve food .... all grown and prepared right there. The presentation is done with pride and love and the food ... the food .... the food. We were served antipasto that included cured meats (on site!), local wines, local cheeses, a farmer's soup, homemade pasta and tender, delicious beef cuts. The desserts are amazing and the owner and his mother are such a delight. You will not be disappointed!! Celano is a charming city on the top of a hill, crowned by a medieval castle (really!) Go there ... you will not regret it.
3. Sapori di Campagna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 195 reviews
Reviewed By Saschapraha - Prague, Czech Republic
I came to this restaurant about six times. It is run by two ladies and their mum is cooking.
The restaurant is doing refined local cuisine with their own products. So with the season the menu changes.
Starters (about 8 servings of different amuses) are the best. Don't miss this. Pasta's are great, they could give you a mix if you want. Lamb and Entrecote (Taglata), are great.
Think about 40 Euro for a whole dinner including water and local wine.
Note the excellent Pizza Fritta what come as bread with the starters.
Best wine is the San Calisto what comes from a village (Populi) nearby. This belongs to the top 5 of Italian Reds! Give yourself a treat!
Eexcellent decoration, excellent food.
4. Il Vecchio Ristoro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
Locale a conduzione familiare situato nel centro storico di Rocca Pia. Cucina semplice basata prevalentemente su ingredienti locali. La sala da pranzo situata al piano superiore non ha una grande capienza perciò è consigliata la prenotazione. Purtroppo non sono ammessi animali domestici (cani, gatti, ecc.)
Reviewed By Nunziata - Boston
This is an exceptional restaurant - run by a wonderful family Michele, Nunzia and their son Gaudenzio. They are warm and welcoming and have a deep respect for the food they cultivate and a passion for the manner in which it is prepared - all perfectly in harmony. We tasted a bit of everything. The antipasto of cheese and salumi was exceptional- various cured meats and cheeses of local family production- including the finest prosciutto I have ever tasted- flavorful with a velvet texture. Next, hand made pastas- tender Ravioli filled freshest ricotta with a surprise - they were slightly, slightly sweet, with a delicate tomato sauce- exquisite. Then a hand-made rustic pasta alla chitarra with a sauce of sausage and orapi- a local mountain herb that is found at about 6000 feet, gathered by the family. The taste was earthy, herbal and surprisingly bright. Next we had a mixed grill of lamb, home-made sausage and pork. I have never tasted such freshness and each meat arrived perfectly cooked. Dessert- come no! A tiramisu made in house that was so light it practically floated, and a ricotta torte full of fruity flavor. If this review seems over the top, there is a reason - the food is over the top! Not to miss!
5. Visconti Kitchen & Cooking Experience
Overall Ratings
5 based on 197 reviews
Chef Leonardo Visconti invites you into his kitchen and garden to enjoy a truly inspirational cooking experience while discovering the best of what the region has to offer. He will share with you the secrets of his culinary creations, using organic produce inspired by the seasons to make authentic traditional Italian dishes – his way!
Reviewed By Parsons-Young - Cardiff, United Kingdom
Sunday lunch today was amazing at Visconti's! As always made very welcome by Leonardo and Jaynie. Beautiful selection of appetisers, truffle pasta, basil infused pasta and the most amazing platter of chicken, lamb and roasted potatoes, followed of course by a delightful selection of desserts, coffees and digestives. Grazie Mille we will be back very soon !
6. La Locanda del Barone
Overall Ratings
5 based on 406 reviews
Reviewed By RalucaVacanta - Bucharest, Romania
This small, family run restaurant, placed at the gates of Balsorano Vecchio castle, is a great combination of an ingenious cook and his wife, a plastic artist. The result: both food and decoration are piece of art.
It is one of those small, hidden places where you can enjoy an excellent and unique meal.
You can find here home made pasta (witch is a must in any Italian respectable locanda), original recipes cooked with local and seasonal ingredients, and excellent Deserts. Everything is fresh and delicious.
7. Ristorante Villa del Barone
Overall Ratings
5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By TimCazza - Australia
Del Baron is an up-market restrauant, and can also cater for large weddings. Set over looking the most beautiful countryside, the host greeted us warmly. The food was local and sensational, the service impeccable. To get there from town is a short car ride, or a short 20 minute stroll.
8. Le gole
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 496 reviews
Reviewed By SydneyAnnie - sydney
We stumbled on this restaurant for lunch attracted by the number of cars parked outside. The owner was very patient with our little Italian and suggested the plate of the day, lovely sausage and vegetable pasta. We were the only non locals. It was a perfect experience and the dining room had lovely views to the Mountains we were driving through. After dessert 3 homemade liquor store appeared for us to try! One of our best experiences.
9. Trattoria Fore le Mura da Franchino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 509 reviews
Located in Assergi (AQ), on the slopes of Gran Sasso, the Trattoria Fore le Mura offers a comfortable and friendly environment where you can taste the typical dishes of the local cuisine of L'Aquila and Abruzzo. Tasty dishes at very affordable prices!
Reviewed By Rita246
The people working there were very welcoming and friendly. The food was amazing! We had cold and hot starters which was almost a full meal in itself. The sausage is higly recommended. Then we had pasta with mushrooms and truffles, incredibly good! We had (house?) red wine which also was very good. Highly recommended.
10. Il Duca degli Abruzzi di Del Principe Gabriella
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By Kathryn1953 - Caiazzo, Italy
This small, charming restaurant is part of a family run hotel located in a residential square in Pescasseroli, in the Abruzzo National Park. We were seduced by each and every one of the courses, all beautifully prepared and presented. The menu is fixed but masterfully captures the food and flavors of this region of Italy. The price was quite reasonable and my husband, who has an enormous appetite, could not eat another bite when dessert was presented. But I had to try the luscious but light cream-filled pastry. We retired to our room and slept like babes.
