After a leisurely afternoon at the wonderful Esplanade on the shores of Lake Garda, we made the short journey to Verona for a free evening to explore one of Italy’s most romantic cities. With the beautiful @nhcollectionpalazzoverona as our base, we wandered the historic streets, soaking up the atmosphere before an unforgettable lunch the following day.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel lies @casaperbellini Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli, where chef Giancarlo Perbellini has created one of Italy’s finest dining experiences. Before taking our seats, we were invited below the restaurant to explore its extraordinary ancient foundations. Hidden beneath the dining room are remarkably preserved Roman ruins, a reminder that this site has welcomed travellers and diners for almost two thousand years. We also enjoyed a tour of the impressive wine cellar before making our way to what is undoubtedly the best seat in the house.
Lunch was served at the spectacular kitchen table, giving us a front-row view of one of Italy’s most accomplished culinary teams. Perbellini’s cooking is a masterclass in elegance and restraint. Every dish feels beautifully refined yet never overworked, with pristine ingredients taking centre stage. It’s classic Italian cuisine viewed through a thoroughly modern lens—light, precise and incredibly flavour-driven, where technical brilliance quietly supports rather than overshadows the food.
It was one of those meals where every course seemed to build effortlessly on the last, leaving us all talking long after lunch had finished. Without question, Casa Perbellini became one of the standout highlights of our Northern Italy tour, and a restaurant that perfectly captures why Italy continues to inspire food lovers from around the world.
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Michelin guide: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
OAD: 81
La Liste: 96.00
World’s 50 Best: ‘Discovery’
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#Achefabroad #CasaPerbellini #Verona #NorthernItaly #MichelinGuide
