This is my field report on Osteria al Duca, a classic spot to try Verona’s signature dishes.
What I love most: the straightforward €25 prix fixe (pasta + main). No surprises, great value, and a place locals and travelers both return to.
Osteria al Duca: Key Info
✓ Basics
- Address: Via Arche Scaligere, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy
- Hours: 12:00–14:30, 18:30–22:30 (Tue: dinner only)
- Closed: Sunday
- Reservations: By phone only (+39 045 594 474)
- Official site: https://www.osteriaalduca.it/home-en.html
- Budget: €20–30 per person
✓ Getting There
2 minutes on foot from Piazza dei Signori, 4 minutes from Juliet’s House.
My Visit: What to Expect
Booking & Arrival
They only accept phone reservations, so I called ahead and went for dinner. If calling feels daunting, swing by at lunchtime to book for later—its center-of-town location makes that easy.
Atmosphere
It’s a small osteria set inside a time-worn, historic building—cozy, characterful, and unmistakably Veronese.
Seating is on two floors; we were upstairs, with a charming wall map of Verona. When we arrived around 18:00, the ground floor was filling up with locals; by 19:00, the upstairs was full too.
What We Ordered (+ Thoughts)
Dinner centers on a €25 set menu (pasta + main). There are upgrades, but everything we wanted was covered in the base prix fixe—so we kept it simple.
Valpolicella Ripasso (by the glass)
✓ Price
€5 × 2 glasses
We debated Amarone (it was €8/glass) but started with Ripasso—and it was gorgeous: smooth, balanced acidity, concentrated fruit, and a fragrant lift thanks to the ripasso method (refermentation on Amarone pomace). It won us over so completely we skipped Amarone and ordered a second round of Ripasso.
Penne “Romeo” with Radicchio Rosso & Gorgonzola
✓ Price
Included in the set
Understated to look at, but beautifully balanced: bitter-leaning Verona radicchio with the creamy punch of gorgonzola. A quiet hit.
Bigoli al Torchio with Donkey Ragù
✓ Price
Included in the set
Thick, hand-pressed bigoli with a traditional Veronese ragù d’asino. My first time trying donkey—no gaminess, pleasantly lean, and texturally close to well-trimmed beef. Paired brilliantly with the Ripasso.
Horse Tartare with Mustard & Capers
✓ Price
Included in the set
In Verona, raw horse is often served with lemon, mustard, and capers. Super fresh and tasty—though, as a personal note, my Japanese palate still thinks garlic–soy would be killer here!
Grilled Horse Steak (Bistecca di Cavallo)
✓ Price
Included in the set
Simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil—lemon on the side. About 200 g, lean yet flavorful, and excellent with red wine. Mains come with baked potatoes, so two courses are more than filling.
Service & Pace
Menus are available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and Russian—tourist-friendly without feeling touristy. Service was warm and efficient; dishes came out promptly.
Verdict & Who It’s For
✓ Overall Rating
Osteria al Duca — 4.5★
Outstanding value and honest, regional cooking in the heart of Verona. The clear pricing is a big plus. I’d happily recommend it.
✓ Best For
- Travelers eager to try truly Veronese meats like donkey and horse
- Great-value seekers
- Anyone dining near Verona’s historic center
✓ When to Go
- Casual lunch or dinner during sightseeing
It’s a laid-back osteria—not ideal for formal business meals, but perfect for couples, friends, or family.
✓ Things to Note
- Nothing major—just remember to reserve by phone.
✓ Quick Recap
- Address: Via Arche Scaligere, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy
- Hours: 12:00–14:30, 18:30–22:30 (Tue dinner only)
- Closed: Sunday
- Reservations: Phone only (+39 045 594 474)
- Official site: https://www.osteriaalduca.it/home-en.html
- Budget: €20–30 per person
That’s a wrap on Osteria al Duca—hope this helps you plan a tasty stop in Verona!