7 Specialties You Must Try in Monferrato, Piedmont

We love to discover new destinations that are under the radar, but offer no shortage of fun things to do – and Monferrato is one of our must-see destinations! There’s a reason why it’s known as #feelingoodmonferrato and we highly suggest heading to the beautiful area in the region of Piemonte, northwest Italy for a relaxing weekend.

Located just a short train or car ride from Milan, Genova and Turin, Monferrato is the ideal getaway to immerse yourself in the countryside with good food, picturesque vineyards, museums and charming towns (29 of them are recognized by UNESCO!).

Our favorite part of the fall weekend was exploring the area through its beautiful wine and local flavors with renowned ingredients like fresh pasta, mushrooms and hazelnuts. Check out seven of the best dishes and drinks we had in Monferrato!

7 Specialties You Must Try in Monferrato, Piedmont

1. Anything with mushrooms
These are some of the biggest porcini mushrooms we have ever seen – and they taste great, too! The local ingredient can be found in many dishes as a topping to fresh pasta to a contorno (side dish) to savory beef dishes. Fall is the best time to try this delicacy when they are in season.
Enoteca Della Curia: Piazza Bollente 72, Acqui Terme

2. Plin – pasta pockets bursting with flavor
Dig into delicate homemade pasta stuffed with meat, vegetables and a dash of nutmeg for the right hint of sweetness. Plin are similar to tortellini and are usually served in a butter sauced, then topped with grated cheese. Although simple, this dish is made with lots of love and attention – and we could eat it everyday!
Enoteca Della Curia: Piazza Bollente 72, Acqui Terme

3. A tris of appetizers
What’s better than one appetizer? Three! We got to sample different Piemontese dishes, but hard a hard time choosing just one favorite. From left to right: steak tartare with rosemary garnish, special recipe insalata russa with beets, and vitello tonnato (tender veal topped with a creamy tuna sauce). .
Ristorante La Torre: Via Candiani d’Olivola, 36, Casale Monferrato

4. Risotto with unexpected ingredients
Take risotto to the next level with strong ingredients – we fell in love with the red pepper and gorgonzola dish! A nice and hearty option on a fall day before heading to the nearby Antica Distilleria Mazzetti (Grappa distillery & museum).
Ristorante La Torre: Via Candiani d’Olivola, 36, Casale Monferrato

5. Krumiri: seriously good butter cookies
Walking into the Krumiri Rossi store in Casale Monferrato is something like a dream – get ready to be hit by a heavenly scent of butter and vanilla! It’s hard to resist just one crispy cookie and we suggest stocking up for the perfect holiday gift. Many Italian specialty stores like Italy carry the signature cookies if you can’t make it to the Krumiri store before Christmas.
Krumiri Rossi: Via Lanza, 17, Casale Monferrato

6. Creative desserts that taste just as amazing as they look
Where art meets food: this raspberry, chocolate and hazelnut dessert almost looks too good to eat – but we’re sure glad that we dug in! The burst of rich flavors was highlighted by the crunchy hazelnuts, one of the region’s beloved ingredients found in many sweets such as Nutella. This chic and historic hotel is a stylish location to recharge your batteries and enjoy in creative cuisine!
Relais Rocca Civalieri: Strada Cascina Rocca Civalieri 23, Alessandria

7. Last, but certainly not least – WINE!
Indulge in the incredible opportunity of tasting many different wines in the area – from whites to reds, dessert wines to grappa – and even see where the grapes are grown in the vineyards! We truly enjoyed the pairings will our meals, especially Timorasso and Gavi DOCG.

We sampled the Timorasso wine at Relais Rocca Civalieri and learned that its grapes risked extinction – but we’re sure glad its still around the complement the Piemontese dishes with its robust and floral notes.

Villa Sparina (Frazione Monterotondo, 56, Gavi) is home to some of the best Gavi DOCG wine we’ve ever tasted! Visit the elegant winery to sip wine and snack on appetizers with a breathtaking view, or sit down for a more formal meal at the restaurant La Gallina, which we also recommend for a special occasion.

Special thanks to Alexala Tourist Board for their hospitality and helping us discover the amazing area!

Have you discovered #FeelinGoodMonferrato? Tell us about your favorite dishes and things to do in the comments!