November 2021 – DEV – The Umbra Institute – Study Abroad in Italy

By Umbra Rep Lexi De Marinis, University of Richmond

Looking for a quick lunch between classes, or maybe a spot for a nicer local dinner? Here are my favorite places to eat in Perugia for every occasion.

Sandwich: Piada e Delizie

Address: Piazza Francesco Morlacchi, 5

This sandwich place is right around the corner from school, and they make quality and inexpensive (4-5 euro) torta al testo, a typical Perugian focaccia cooked on a cast iron plate. You can either make your own sandwich or choose from the extensive list of combos they have on their menu. They make the sandwich right in front of you and include an olive oil drizzle and sea salt on the torta al testo. I like to make my own with Prosciutto, Arugula, Burrata, and Tomatoes.

Pizza: Pizzeria Mediterranea

Address: Piazza Piccinino, 11

Pizzeria Mediterranea is close to school and my personal favorite pizza in Perugia. Each pizza is 4-7 euro so it’s also a great deal! I recommend La Pizza Lasagna. It is a delicious and unique pizza topped tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy meat, and Ricotta. The Pizza Margherita with Bufala is also amazing!

Charcuterie: La Prosciutteria

Address: Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, 44

La Prosciutteria is a unique place in Perugia with GIANT charcuterie boards. I particularly like this place because you tell them how many people you have and if you want a small, large, or gourmet board and they put together a board with cheese, meat, fruit, veggies, toasts, and more. They also have options for sandwiches and salads. The atmosphere is lively, and it is a good price. A small board is 5 euro per person, a large 10, and a gourmet 15. The large board comes with plenty of food for a whole meal.

Traditional Osteria: Osteria a Priori

Address: Via dei Priori, 39

Osteria a Priori is the place to go for a nicer, traditional meal. Everything I have eaten there has been delicious and given the quality, the prices are decent. They have seasonal menus that rotate often with whatever is locally available at the time. A few of their dishes are: roasted vegetables with goat cheese (8 euro), lentil soup (8 euro), pumpkin ravioli (9 euro), and a traditional beef dish with vegetables (13 euro). This is a must go place during your time in Perugia!

Non-Italian: Lezioni Di Greco Corner

Address: Piazza Francesco Morlacchi, 11

This is a great Greek place right around the corner from school. You can make your own pita choosing your protein, toppings, and sauce. My personal favorite is the pumpkin (zucca) keftedes in a pita with hummus, tzatziki, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta. This whole meal only costs 4.50 euro! I love to go here when I need a break from pizza, pasta, and cooking at home.

Gelato: Mastro Cianuri

Address: Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 17

At first glance you would not even know that Mastro Cianuri has gelato, but it is the best in Perugia. My personal favorite is their chocolate gelato. A small cone with two toppings is 2 euro, a large 3. They also have small chocolates, coffee, pastries, and a caffe menu.

Written by Umbra Rep Noah Singer, University of Vermont

Coming to study abroad in Perugia, one of my goals was to find a charming café where I could read, write, do homework, or simply relax and people-watch. As you could assume, there are an immense amount of cafés in Italy… an overwhelming amount. Though I have not found one that is unsatisfactory, I felt it necessary to guide others to some of the cafés that have stood out to me.

Antica Latteria

A gem hidden in plain sight, Antica Latteria is a place you must try if you are in Perugia. Founded back in 1925, this fantastic bar is a good place to check out because they make fresh panna (fresh whipped cream) for pastries and coffee. This panna is exquisite; it is so tempting and delectable that it is dangerous! Pictured above is a “caffè con panna” (espresso with whipped cream), I highly recommend trying this. They have a plethora of pastries such as cannolis, brioche with panna, and a variety of sweets without this delicious, whipped cream. Antica Latteria is located just down the street from Piazza IV Novembre, just to the right of the Pam, making it just a short walk from the Umbra Institute.

Caffè del Banco

Caffè del Banco is the perfect place to go in between classes if you need a caffeinated beverage, a snack, sandwich, or the need to satisfy a sweet tooth! It is located about 300 feet away from the Umbra Institute making it a great place to get something quick. Because it is located just outside Piazza IV Novembre, it is also an ideal location to get a drink and people watch! The barista inside Caffè del Banco is always very sweet, and she will remember your face after a few visits. Oftentimes you will see Umbra professors and staff going for a snack or coffee throughout the day!

Caffè Dal Perugino

Caffè Dal Perugino is a terrific little bar just outside of Piazza IV Novembre, and across from the Coop. It is a wonderful place to go if you want a coffee and a panini because it is very cost efficient, and they have high quality products. The baristas here are very kind, always greeting you with a smile, and offering you water (the only other place that has offered me water is Verace). They even have various types of mints and gum at the register, which can help if you are trying to avoid coffee breath! Caffè Dal Perugino is a cute cafè that you must checkout!

Verace

Verace is my favorite cafè and is just a short walk down from Piazza IV Novembre. The owner of this spectacular establishment also owns a restaurant (that is also called Verace) right next to it. This restaurant is fantastic and makes delicious pizza for a reasonable price. They have pizza for sale in the cafè as well, making Verace the perfect place for a cheap, heavenly lunch. Verace has exceptional coffee, friendly baristas that always welcome a chat (they have even taught me some Italian), and they always offer a free glass of water, which is a rarity in Perugia. Personally, I love to go to Verace with a book in the afternoon for a coffee, and to enjoy the quietness in their outdoor seating area. I simply cannot speak highly enough about Verace!

All these bars are wonderful places with a great aesthetic and quality products. They are all within a 5-minute walk of Piazza IV Novembre, which is great because they are right in the city center. On the contrary, if you are at the institute and do not have time to leave the building, or you are looking for the cheapest option, there are coffee vending machines within the building. Though I was skeptical at first, I have learned that these vending machines make delicious cappuccinos for just 70 cents, an espresso shot for 60 cents, and many other cost-efficient options.