Restaurants in Verona for Vinitaly 2026: where to eat well (and work better)

During Vinitaly 2026 (April 12–15) Verona changes its pace: the city fills up with buyers, producers, consortiums, and international delegations, and the trade fair becomes a continuous flow of tastings, appointments, and meetings.

And then there's the Vinitaly and the City off-show event (April 10–12), which lights up the historic center and makes everything more "packed": crowded venues, disappearing tables, unanswered phone calls.

In those days, choosing the right restaurant isn't just a matter of taste. It's a choice of time, logistics, and quality of conversation. A dinner can become the moment when you truly understand each other, align your goals... and often close a deal.

Below you'll find a selection of 6 restaurants in and around Verona designed for different needs: from an elegant dinner in the center for important guests, to a place "away from the noise" where you can talk calmly. All suited for business contexts, but with very different personalities.

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The 6 recommended restaurants for Vinitaly (Verona and surroundings)

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How to choose the right restaurant (without going crazy)

If you have a tight schedule: stay in the center

When the day ends late and you have to start early the next morning, the historic center is the most convenient choice. You can move around on foot, the atmosphere is beautiful, and you can keep the evening "light" without turning it into a logistical operation.

Places like Trattoria Reale, Benda, and Symposio work very well here: they are perfect if you want a refined environment, reliable service, and a wine cellar that supports a serious conversation about wine.

Who I recommend it to

• buyers and importers with limited time
• small/medium delegations
• dinners that need to be "without surprises"

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If you want a technical dinner (oenologists, sommeliers, label comparison)

There are evenings when dinner is also an extension of the work at the fair: comparing wines, talking about styles, reasoning in a technical way. In that case, you need a place that can keep up the pace and has a coherent proposal on the wine front as well.

Symposio is a natural choice if you want a dinner with a more "professional" edge: the right atmosphere and a context that invites discussion, not chaos.

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If you have a large group and want to keep the budget under control

Vinitaly also brings "team" dinners: colleagues, work groups, large delegations. Here, the priority isn't to impress, but to make everything work smoothly: timing, orders, and the bill.

In these cases, Trattoria Hostaria Il Borgo is perfect: it's that concrete solution that saves you headaches and allows you to close the day with ease.

Who I recommend it to

• large delegations
• corporate groups
• teams who want to spend time together without formalities

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If you really want to talk (privacy, contracts, important conversations): leave the city

The most delicate negotiations do not like background noise. If you need to discuss exclusivity, price lists, distribution, or simply want to create a "protected" context, getting out of Verona is often the best move.

• QuintoQuarto (Valpolicella): ideal if you want an important experience, with a great focus on the territory and a feeling of "retreat" that is perfect for letting the evening breathe.
• La Chiusina (Borghetto sul Mincio): a beautiful option when you want to disconnect and lighten up at the table as well (seafood, during those days, is a much more strategic idea than it seems).

Yes, you need a transfer. But in return, you get what is always missing at the fair: time and calm.

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Two practical tips to save your dinner

1) Book in advance (seriously)

In the days between April 10 and 15, 2026, Verona is saturated. And it's not just a matter of "finding a place": it's finding the right place, at the right time, with the right table.

Booking online saves you the merry-go-round of phone calls and allows you to better manage special requests (allergies, intolerances, dietary preferences), especially with international guests.

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2) Choose the restaurant based on the evening you want to achieve

A "successful" dinner during Vinitaly is often very simple:

• a soft start (a glass of wine + appetizers)
• a main dish that provides identity (without being too heavy)
• a well-chosen wine (not to show off, but to spark conversation)
• a brief finale, so the evening remains elegant and not exhausting

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What to make a foreign buyer taste (without making mistakes)

If you want to tell the story of Verona with the right dish, these are always winners:

• Risotto all'Amarone (or Tastasal)
• Bigoli
• Pastissada de caval
• Lesso con la Pearà

These are dishes that "hold their own" alongside great red wines and represent the territory without the need for too much explanation.

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Conclusion

Vinitaly is made of meetings, but it is often at dinner that trust is truly built. Having a list of reliable restaurants—and booking early—takes away the stress and leaves you with only the best part: talking calmly, eating well, and bringing home results.

If you want to play it strategically:

• historic center for practicality and tight paces
• Valpolicella or Borghetto for privacy and important conversations
• western outskirts for groups and clear budgets