Near Piazza della Libertà and the Castle, L’Alimentare was born in December 2016 from an “exercise in style” by one of the three founding partners, Enrico Ciroi, a business consultant specialized in the food and wine sector. Looking for an innovative concept for the city, Enrico wrote the project of his dream place, his “neverland”.

Thus he imagined a familiar, welcoming place, where you could buy the best products available on the market together with a simple, artfully prepared cuisine, to be savored on site or taken home. From dream to reality, it didn’t take long and, thanks to his partner Gaia, the soul and smiling face of this place, L’Alimentare soon opened its doors.

Our secret ingredient is simplicity which is reflected in an informal hospitality and in a selection of recipes that reminds of our grandma’s specialities.

(Enrico Ciroi, owner)

Housed in the spaces of one of the most historic shops in the centre, La Casa del Cuoio, L’Alimentare retains the flavor of the antique deli shops where colored jars, spices and vases filled with delights wink from the shelves ready to complete the customers’ daily shopping. George Bernard Shaw, portrayed in a maxi mural that decorates the central wall, bears witness to the fundamental ingredient of the entire project: the love of food, the absolute protagonist of every choice.

The restaurant has been completely renovated according to Enrico’s vision who imagined every single element present in the room, giving life to a modern bistro-gastronomy with a vintage touch. From the open kitchen to the ad hoc tables, from the customized chairs to the aprons designed by Enrico, the place is a set of suggestions that create a truly welcoming atmosphere. The palette of dark shades chosen to characterize the rooms creates a pleasant contrast with the colored packaging of the products on display, which are always the protagonists.

All the menu and gastronomy proposals are prepared using only the products on sale, thus giving customers the opportunity to taste and discover their favorites. The proposals change seasonally but the great classics are never lacking: from veal with tuna sauce to meatballs, from linguine with sea urchins and bottarga to meat tartare.

The restaurant offers about 60 food references, including organic ones, and about 80 wine labels, all selected from the best producers in each sector, both Italian and international. Here it is possible to find real gems such as the full red organic saffron of Magnano in Riviera, the Km0 goat cheeses of Agrisiamon and Zare and also a very special Vermouth, created by Enrico starting from natural wines of excellence and called, precisely for this, Controcorrente (with means “upstream”).

During the summer it is possible to stop in the dehor for an aperitif or an informal lunch and, from Thursday to Saturday, you can book for dinner, in the company of the portrait of Oscar Wilde who, as a true connoisseur of good food, reminds us how much food it’s a serious matter!

The Secret

Both murals that decorate the walls of the room were created by the street artist Simone Mestroni on commission from Enrico who, as a lover of art and beauty, had noticed one of his works in the city. The works are part of a larger project, the City of Poetry, with which the artist has decided to take to the streets and among the people of Udine to make art and poetry accessible to all. Among the other portraits, we find Anais Nin, Jacques Prevert and Céline, who color the streets of the city in the company of their poetic verses.

Useful Info

L’Alimentare
Via Raimondo D’Aronco 39
33100 Udine
Tel. +39 0432 1503727 

Tapas: 5 — 6 euro
Starters: 12 — 14 euro
First courses: 10 — 16 euro
Main courses: 14 — 20 euro
Desserts: 5 — 6 euro