When I was in college, I did a six-week study abroad program in Verona, and this charming city will always be special to me because it was my first extended stay in Italy. See my Spotlight: Verona post to learn why this city is so amazing.

During the study abroad program, I was a part of a group of over 30 students, and with six weeks to explore Verona, we were able to go to all kinds of restaurants, trattorias, and pizzerias. There were a few in particular that really stood out. If you’re going to be visiting Verona in the future, I would highly recommend the following restaurants!

Pizzeria Bella Napoli

Simply the best pizza in Verona! We would descend on this place in a group of 15 to 20 people about once a week, and the food was always great. The staff were also very friendly, and it was just a good experience each time we went there.

In the past year, I have recommended Pizzeria Bella Napoli to two different people looking for Verona restaurant recommendations, and both reported back that the food was great and thanked me for the recommendation.

So if you’re looking for pizza in Verona, Pizzeria Bella Napoli is the place to go.

Bottega del Vino

If you’re looking for great food and great wine, Bottega del Vino is a great choice. They have a huge wine list and many wines by the glass. And the food is very classic and delicious. My favorite dish was the risotto all’Amarone, made with the great Amarone red wine from the area.

This place can be expensive, so I’d recommend going here if you’re looking to have a great night and splurge a little. I really enjoyed the ambiance as well. If memory serves, it’s located just off Via Mazzini about halfway between the Arena and Piazza Erbe.

Caffé Dante Ristorante

I always liked the Caffé Dante Ristorante because this is where we went on our very first night in Verona. From what I remember, the food is pretty good and reasonably priced. But the setting is the best past, as this ristorante is located in Piazza Dante. I have some really good memories of sitting outside and enjoying good food and good company on warm summer evenings.

So those are my recommendations for some of the best restaurants in Verona. There are probably many more that deserve mention, but I can’t remember any others in particular (I was there seven years ago, after all).

If you have a recommendation for a great restaurant in Verona that you don’t see here, leave a comment to let everyone know!

Jessica at WhyGo Italy has put out a great list of 20 things everyone should do in Italy. A lot of the ideas she suggests are things you won’t hear about in standard tourist guidebooks and will definitely provide you with unique Italian experiences.

I’ve done about 13 out of the 20. Even if you’re not a huge opera fan (I’m not either), watching a performance in the ancient Roman amphitheater L’Arena in Verona is incredible. As I mentioned in my post on my first trip to Italy, getting lost on purpose in Venice and exploring the canals is the best way to experience the city. And I highly recommend going to a soccer game. Calcio (Italian for soccer) is the second national religion and you can feel the energy in the stadium.

Enjoying an evening performance in Verona

If I could add something to the list (and it would go at the top of my list), it would be renting a small boat and going around the island of Capri. It costs about 200 euro for 4 hours if memory serves, and you cruise around the island, taking your time, stopping at every grotto and bay that you want to, swimming in the crystal-clear water, and soaking up the sun. I’ve done it twice and it is definitely the best thing I’ve ever done in Italy. Such an incredible experience. If you’ve never driven a boat before, you can hire a driver. If you’ve driven a small boat, like a ski boat, before, you shouldn’t have a problem.

Rent a boat in Capri

The Capri coastline