italy (emilia-romagna)
You've probably heard of Parma before. Maybe not the city itself, but something tells us you know about Parmigiano-Reggiano (also known as Parmesan in English-speaking countries) and Prosciutto di Parma (often just labeled “Prosciutto” elsewhere). These delicious foods originate from Parma and there is truly something different when you try them at the source.
Located on a very convenient train route between Milan to the northwest and Bologna to the southeast, Parma is easily accessible from other major cities. With Genoa due west and Florence due south, it’s also not terribly far from Venice. In other words, it’s centrally located in the northern part of Italy.
The city has a population of roughly 200,000 people. Because it’s a university city (one of the oldest in the world!), you get the small town, youthful vibe. There’s definitely culture and history everywhere (let’s not forget where we are after all), and if you’re a foodie, it should be on your list.
parma
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what to drink, what to try, where to stay, helpful resources
where to eat
This inventive ristorante makes its pizza the star. Everything about the pizza is unique - the type of dough they use makes it thicker than a normal crust, giving a crispy finish without being overly dense. They branch out from always using a traditional tomato sauce for their pizzas. We opted for the zucca (pumpkin) pizza special which they paired with cotechino. This combination was so good that we're still dreaming about it 2 years later! They also had an amazing selection of pastas and dessert. We ordered the sbrisolona...and if you’ve read about our time in Verona, you’ll know how much we love the crumbly, almond cookie dessert!
borgo20
borgo20
This inventive ristorante makes its pizza the star. Everything about the pizza is unique - the type of dough they use makes it thicker than a normal crust, giving a crispy finish without being overly dense. They branch out from always using a traditional tomato sauce for their pizzas. We opted for the zucca (pumpkin) pizza special which they paired with cotechino. This combination was so good that we're still dreaming about it 2 years later! They also had an amazing selection of pastas and dessert. We ordered the sbrisolona...and if you’ve read about our time in Verona, you’ll know how much we love the crumbly, almond cookie dessert!
borgo20
This inventive ristorante makes its pizza the star. Everything about the pizza is unique - the type of dough they use makes it thicker than a normal crust, giving a crispy finish without being overly dense. They branch out from always using a traditional tomato sauce for their pizzas. We opted for the zucca (pumpkin) pizza special which they paired with cotechino. This combination was so good that we're still dreaming about it 2 years later! They also had an amazing selection of pastas and dessert. We ordered the sbrisolona...and if you’ve read about our time in Verona, you’ll know how much we love the crumbly, almond cookie dessert!
borgo20
This inventive ristorante makes its pizza the star. Everything about the pizza is unique - the type of dough they use makes it thicker than a normal crust, giving a crispy finish without being overly dense. They branch out from always using a traditional tomato sauce for their pizzas. We opted for the zucca (pumpkin) pizza special which they paired with cotechino. This combination was so good that we're still dreaming about it 2 years later! They also had an amazing selection of pastas and dessert. We ordered the sbrisolona...and if you’ve read about our time in Verona, you’ll know how much we love the crumbly, almond cookie dessert!
The meal here ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. The food was great, of course, but the waiter made our evening! Despite our Italiano being quite awful (we’re doing our best to learn!) and him knowing very few words of English, we managed to communicate just fine! We spent hours here, enjoying each course (accompanied by wine and other liqueurs). By the end of the evening, we walked away with our hearts full and a memory never to be forgotten. If you are looking for a local experience with delicious cuisine from the region, we highly recommend a stop here.
ristorante rosa croce
ristorante rosa croce
The meal here ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. The food was great, of course, but the waiter made our evening! Despite our Italiano being quite awful (we’re doing our best to learn!) and him knowing very few words of English, we managed to communicate just fine! We spent hours here, enjoying each course (accompanied by wine and other liqueurs). By the end of the evening, we walked away with our hearts full and a memory never to be forgotten. If you are looking for a local experience with delicious cuisine from the region, we highly recommend a stop here.
ristorante rosa croce
The meal here ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. The food was great, of course, but the waiter made our evening! Despite our Italiano being quite awful (we’re doing our best to learn!) and him knowing very few words of English, we managed to communicate just fine! We spent hours here, enjoying each course (accompanied by wine and other liqueurs). By the end of the evening, we walked away with our hearts full and a memory never to be forgotten. If you are looking for a local experience with delicious cuisine from the region, we highly recommend a stop here.
ristorante rosa croce
The meal here ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. The food was great, of course, but the waiter made our evening! Despite our Italiano being quite awful (we’re doing our best to learn!) and him knowing very few words of English, we managed to communicate just fine! We spent hours here, enjoying each course (accompanied by wine and other liqueurs). By the end of the evening, we walked away with our hearts full and a memory never to be forgotten. If you are looking for a local experience with delicious cuisine from the region, we highly recommend a stop here.
ristorante rosa croce
The meal here ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. The food was great, of course, but the waiter made our evening! Despite our Italiano being quite awful (we’re doing our best to learn!) and him knowing very few words of English, we managed to communicate just fine! We spent hours here, enjoying each course (accompanied by wine and other liqueurs). By the end of the evening, we walked away with our hearts full and a memory never to be forgotten. If you are looking for a local experience with delicious cuisine from the region, we highly recommend a stop here.
ristorante rosa croce
The meal here ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. The food was great, of course, but the waiter made our evening! Despite our Italiano being quite awful (we’re doing our best to learn!) and him knowing very few words of English, we managed to communicate just fine! We spent hours here, enjoying each course (accompanied by wine and other liqueurs). By the end of the evening, we walked away with our hearts full and a memory never to be forgotten. If you are looking for a local experience with delicious cuisine from the region, we highly recommend a stop here.
ristorante rosa croce
The meal here ended up being one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. The food was great, of course, but the waiter made our evening! Despite our Italiano being quite awful (we’re doing our best to learn!) and him knowing very few words of English, we managed to communicate just fine! We spent hours here, enjoying each course (accompanied by wine and other liqueurs). By the end of the evening, we walked away with our hearts full and a memory never to be forgotten. If you are looking for a local experience with delicious cuisine from the region, we highly recommend a stop here.
what to drink
what to drink
Have you ever had a sparkling red wine? If not, lambrusco is a great one to start with! Made with the grape of the same name, this is a refreshing wine that goes well with all the local favorites - gnocco fritto, dried meats, aged cheeses - or even just by itself! Lambrusco is known for its slightly sweet and fizzy characteristics.
lambrusco
what to try
what to try
Prosciutto di Parma is a renowned dry-cured ham that comes from the Parma region. The ham is dry-salted and aged for a minimum of 12 months, though some varieties are aged for up to 24 months. The result is a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture, with a rich, savory flavor. Prosciutto di Parma is often sliced thinly and enjoyed as a part of antipasti platters, paired with melon, wrapped around breadsticks (grissini), or used as a topping for pizzas and pastas. Its distinct quality and taste have made it a beloved ingredient in Italian cuisine.
prosciutto di parma
Parmigiano Reggiano, also known as Parmesan cheese, is a high-quality Italian cheese that originates from the regions of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, and Mantua. It is made from cow's milk and is renowned for its distinctive flavor and granular texture. Parmigiano Reggiano is aged for a minimum of 12 months, but some varieties are aged for even longer, resulting in a more intense flavor. It is commonly grated and used as a topping for pasta, risotto, soups, and salads, or enjoyed on its own as a delicious, savory snack.
parmigiano reggiano
Zucca, the Italian word for "pumpkin", refers to a variety of winter squash that are commonly used in Italian cuisine (more commonly in northern Italy). Pumpkin is often celebrated during the autumn season and used in a variety of savory and sweet recipes due to its vibrant color, mild sweetness, and versatile culinary properties. It is delicious in and on everything we have ever tried (even on pizza/pinsa!).
zucca
Tortellini in brodo consists of small, stuffed pasta rings (tortellini) served in a flavorful broth (brodo). Tortellini is typically filled with a mixture of meats, cheese, or vegetables. The broth is a light and savory soup, usually made from chicken, beef, or vegetable stock.
Tortelloni is another type of stuffed pasta, often filled with a variety of ingredients including cheese, spinach, ricotta, mushrooms, or meat. Tortelloni are typically served with various sauces, such as cream-based sauces, tomato-based sauces, or simple olive oil and herb combinations.
tortellini in brodo
tortelloni
where to stay
where to stay
We stayed in the heart of Parma at this lovely bed & breakfast which was perfect for our short trip in the city. Because our trip was during COVID, precautions were still being taken so the breakfast room was closed but the owners were gracious enough to work out a deal with the bar a couple of doors down for guests to enjoy breakfast there instead. I would love to stay here again one day should we make our way back to Parma.
helpful resources
helpful
resources
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