A Good Restaurant in Vicenza

La Pausa

Address:

Via S. Lazzaro, 65 Vicenza

Telephone: 0444 562407

Normally I enjoy restaurants where the locals eat but, now and again, I'll discover somewhere totally unusual - somewhere like this restaurant.

You'll find a few locals here but they aren't in the majority.

You'll find no tourists either.

What you will find are lots of Southern Italians, immigrants to the north of Italy, enjoying some of the great dishes of the south. The owners are from the south, Naples to be exact, portions are typically huge and the restaurant is full of bubbly Italian life in all its varieties.

Looking around this restaurant is like enjoying a cameo of Southern Italy with well dressed elderly men sitting at corner tables, young men with names like Salvo and Rocco at nearby tables, while most of the remaining tables are filled with families from Sicily to Naples and all points in-between.

The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, filled with the loud laughter and conversation so typical of Southern Italians.

Children run all over and will always find a warm welcome whenever they stop by a table.

What should you order?

Anything really as I've never had a bad dish here. Particularly good are their seafood dishes with the seafood spaghetti being out of this world.

In the evening I often enjoy the four course seafood menu which is delicious from start to finish.

Their pizza too, made in a traditional wood-fired oven, is superb; but then it should be seeing that pizza originates in Naples. You'll struggle to find a better pizza in Vicenza.

If you aren't in the mood for anything particular, and are pretty open minded, then I'd suggest you follow their recommendations which are always good.

At Lunchtimes they normally have a three course set menu which is good value and you can be sure the house wine will go perfectly with the menu of the day.

You'll need to travel a little away from the old town to get here - best is to take a taxi as it is a long walk.

If you have the time, and want a good restaurant in Vicenza that won't cost an arm and a leg, then do try to visit.

For more on Vicenza have a look at our guide to this lovely town.