9 Best Food In Prato, Italy

1. Mortadella

Mortadella di Prato has a unique heritage and an excellent flavor. It was originally developed as a way to use scraps left over from making salami. Only pork is ever used in the productions of mortadella. In the 20th-century, these scraps were then seasoned with various exotic spices and alchermes, a reddish liqueur obtained from a dried and powdered parasitic insect. This is what gives mortadella its distinct opaque pink color. Mortadella’s unique characteristics have led to it being features in many local, national and international food guides since its beginning.

Pane e Vino

Address: via Cairoli, 7, Prato, Italy

Facebook: Pane e Vino

2. Biscotti di Prato

Biscotti di Prato are known throughout Italy as “cantuccini”, and throughout the world as “biscotti”. These crunchy almond biscuits originated in Prato during the Renaissance. The twice baked, oblong shaped cookies are traditionally dunked into Vin Santo, or dessert wine, making them a treat to be savored and enjoyed. Biscotti di Prato are also often accompanied by coffee. Today they have become more than just almond biscuits, often flavored with lemon and amaretto, spices, nuts and dried fruits. Sometimes even chocolate bits are added.

Biscottificio Antonio Mattei

Address: Via Bettino Ricasoli, 20, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

Website: Biscottificio Antonio Mattei - in Italian)

3. Pesche di Prato

Pesche di Prato was a typical sweet of the 1800s that recently regained popularity thanks to Paolo Sacchetti. The famous pesches of Prato today are made up of a soft brioche pastry, crustaceous on the surface, with a sweet vanilla cream filling. Pesche di Prato was rated as the Best Pastry in Italy in 2012. It is a delightful treat that you won’t want to miss!

Pasticceria Caffè Nuovo Mondo

Address: Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 23, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

Website: Pasticceria Caffè Nuovo Mondo (in Italian)

4. Sedani Ripieni

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Sedani Ripieni is stuffed celery, baked or fried, with mortadella, minced veal, eggs and garlic. Though it sounds a little unusual, the mix of flavors combine to make an unexpectedly good dish. It is a typical dish of Prato, so a must-try while you’re visiting!

La Vecchia Cucina di Soldano

Address: Via Pomeria, 23, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

Website: La Vecchia Cucina di Soldano (in Italian)

5. Schiacciate

Schiacciate, also known as ciaccia, is Tuscan flatbread or focaccia, baked in the oven and seasoned with olive oil and salt. It is a typical country food and a traditional snack. Schiacciate means to flatten or crush in Italian. This flatbread is excellent as a snack or a sandwich. Be sure to try it while in Prato!

I'pan di Pino

Address: Via Galcianese, 35, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

6. Quick plates & paninos

For those days or moments when you’re in a hurry, Tazza d'Oro is the place to grab some grub. Paninos, quick plates, and coffee are all excellent here. You can sit and relax or move in and out fairly quickly. Paninos are an Italian staple and no one does them better than Tazza d'Oro in Prato.

Tazza d’Oro

Address: Viale della Repubblica, 290, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

Facebook: Tazza d’Oro

7. Gelato

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What is a visit to Italy without gelato? If you are looking for a place with especially good ice cream, Anisare Gelateria is an excellent option. The ice cream there is creamy and fresh, with many unique flavors for guests to savor and enjoy.

Anisare Gelateria

Address: Viale della Repubblica, 138, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

Facebook: Anisare Gelateria

8. Torta Setteveli

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Torta Setteveli is a seven layer cake popular in Italy. It is originally, and best known as, a dish from Palermo in Southern Italy BUT Prato has an especially delicious one at Pasticceria Mannori. Here Luca Mannori of Prato made a Torta Setteveli that won the 1997 Pastry World Cup in Lyon, France. The cake itself has alternating chocolate and hazelnut layers, with a crunchy layer that combines the flavors. To be precise, the layers typically follow this order:

7th layer (top layer): Chocolate Glaze 6th layer: Chocolate Mousse 5th layer: Hazelnut Bavarian Cream
4th layer: Chocolate Sponge Cake
3rd layer: Hazelnut Bavarian Cream
2nd layer: Praline Crunch
1st layer (bottom layer): Chocolate Sponge Cake

Be sure to sample this award winning cake while in Prato, and then maybe compare it with the Torta Setteveli when you visit Palermo. It is one you will not want to miss!

Pasticceria Mannori

Address: Via Alessandro Lazzerini, 2, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

Website: Pasticceria Mannori (in Italian)

9. Wine

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Italy is famed for its wine and Prato offers many wine specialities that you have to keep an eye out for on your visit. Vin Santo is a traditional Tuscan dessert wine. It is often made from varieties of white grapes. It is typically very sweet, and a perfect pair with biscotti di Prato.

Vin Ruspo, or rose wine, is another favorite of the area. It is a versatile rose that goes well with everything from fish to braised meats, or just as an aperitif. The wine is semi sparkling and perfect for summer. Carmignano is a red wine that was once a favorite of the Medici family. It is one of the best wines of Tuscany, with a smooth and robust flavor at the same time.

To Wine

Address: Viale della Repubblica, 23, 59100 Prato PO, Italy

Website: To Wine (in Italian)

Eat up

Prato offers a lot of unique and delicious Italian specialties. You will not be disappointed with the offerings here. So eat up and enjoy!