We happened on this restaurant during our day in Perugia and definitely felt like part of the family. Filled with locals at lunch (even a graduation party!) the Italian Nonna running the place was the picture of warmth and hospitality. While waiting for our entrees, she brought us a small taste of their house specialty, beans in a warm sauce with a piece of crusty bread, and they were one of the best dishes we ate in Italy.
Ristorante Altromondo
City: Perugia
Region: Umbria
About the Region:
Umbria, often called the “green heart of Italy,” is a region that embodies authentic Italian beauty without the crowds found in neighboring Tuscany. Rolling hills covered in olive groves, sunflower fields, and ancient forests create a peaceful landscape dotted with medieval hill towns that feel untouched by time.
Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, is the region’s spiritual and cultural jewel, with its grand basilica adorned with Giotto’s frescoes and sweeping views over the Umbrian valley. Perugia, the lively capital, offers a mix of medieval streets, Renaissance palaces, and vibrant university life, along with its famous chocolate festival each October.
Umbria is also known for smaller towns brimming with charm. In Orvieto, a Gothic cathedral towers over a city built atop volcanic cliffs, while underground caves reveal Etruscan secrets. Spello and Spoleto enchant visitors with narrow flower-lined alleys, Roman ruins, and quiet piazzas perfect for sipping local wine.
Food here is deeply rustic and satisfying: black truffles harvested from forested hills, hearty lentils from Castelluccio, pecorino cheese, and earthy wines like Sagrantino di Montefalco.
Unlike busier regions, Umbria invites you to slow down. Hike through Mount Subasio’s nature trails, attend summer music festivals in historic squares, or simply relax in an agriturismo overlooking golden fields and cypress-lined roads.
Visiting Umbria feels like discovering Italy’s soul – a place of serenity, tradition, and timeless beauty where life is savored one moment, meal, and sunset at a time.