The Insider’s Guide to Alba Restaurants

The Insider’s Guide to Alba Restaurants is your ticket to eat, drink, and be merry. Alba, Italy is the primary wine town in Northern Italy’s Langhe wine region. The Langhe is made up of Piedmont’s most well-known wine areas of Barolo and Barbaresco.

Alba sits directly between Barolo and Barbaresco. For visitors looking to explore the Langhe without renting a car, we often recommend they stay in Alba for easy access to amenities like restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores, hotels, bike rentals, and more.

The Insiders Guide to Alba Restaurants covers everything from coffee bars / cafe, wine bars, osterias, pizzerias, gelato, and fine dining establishments. Dig in! 

Alba’s population is about 30,000, so it’s big enough to give you options but small enough to still feel intimate. In addition, the city’s central location makes getting around Barolo, Barbaresco and even into the Roero and Monferrato easy.

The centro storico or historic center spans two main piazzas, Piazza Savona (recently renamed Piazza Michele Ferrero, founder of Ferrero and inventor of Nutella – all hail) and Piazza Risorgimento (also called Piazza Duomo by the locals). The main street connecting the two is Via Vittorio Emanuele (or Via Maestra to the locals ). Our guide to the best Alba restaurants covers that primary vicinity.

Best Restaurants in Alba: Mornings

Coffee and Pastries:

Caffé Teatro

We started visiting Caffé Teatro on Saturday mornings en route to the weekly open-air mercato. Teatro is off the main busy street, so it’s a faster walk. We quickly realized it was something special when we kept seeing familiar faces there. The coffee is strong and the pastries are divine.

Find it! Caffé Teatro 

• Address: Via Calissano Teabaldo, 6, Alba.
• Hours: Closed Sunday.

Pasticceria Pettiti

Pettiti is known for their baked goods and local treats. Don’t miss their baci di dama, traditional biscotti cookies with a hazelnut cream filling, or any of the torte cakes – all the baked goods are made fresh daily. They have a coffee bar inside and when the weather is nice they set up tables on the main street – great for people watching. The historical draw to this Alba restaurant is that Pettiti is the bakery is where the recipe for Nutella was invented. Salute!

Find it! Pascticceria Pettiti

• Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 25, Alba.
• Hours: Closed Monday.
• WiFi: No.

Best Restaurants in Alba: Lunch and Dinner

Nicer meals, to high-end dining:

Osteria dell’Arco

One of our go-to Alba restaurants when we have friends in town or are just looking for something a little nicer without breaking the bank.

The food is always fantastic, mostly traditional, but you’ll also find things like duck that are not typical to the region. Osteria dell’Arco is associated with the Slow Food Organization, which initiated in the nearby city of Bra. The extensive wine list is about the best deal in town. They are a part of Slow Food, so they cannot sell wine for more than it retails for at the cellar door.

Find it! Osteria dell’Arco

• Address: Piazza Savona, 5, Alba (in a courtyard just off Piazza Savona). 
• Phone: +39 0173 363974
• Hours:
  • Open daily: 19:30 – 22:30.
  • Closed: Sunday – Monday.
  • Open Sundays in October – November. 
  • Reservations: Recommended. 
• Price: Prices start at 28€ for a full meal.

Ristorante Larossa

Chef Andrea Larossa received a Michelin star for the ristorante just one year after opening. Meals can be ordered alle carte or try the chef’s tasting menu. The food features all local ingredients with traditional and progressive plates.

Find it! Larossa

• Address: Via Don Giacomo Alberione 10/D, Alba.
• Phone: +39 0173060639.
• Hours: Open daily for lunch (12:00-14:30) and dinner (19:30-21:30); closed all day Tuesday evening and Wednesday lunchtime.
• Reservations: Recommended. 
• Price: Prices for alle carte range from 22€ to about 35€; tasting menu varies. 

Caffé Umberto / Eno Club

Take your pick of top-notch Alba restaurants – both in the same place! Located in Piazza Savona, Caffé Umberto is on the ground level with outdoor and bar-side seating. Eno Club is in the cellar below – perfect for a more intimate experience. 

Dining options include traditional fare as well as a daily seafood dish – sometimes two. And, they have a heavenly burger topped with foie gras. During truffle season it makes for a great brunch-style stop of fried egg topped with decadent shavings of Alba White Truffle.

Find it! Caffé Umberto / Eno Club

• Address: Piazza Savona, 4, Alba.
• Phone: +39 0173 33994.
• Hours: 
  • Open Daily: Lunch, dinner.
  • Closed: Monday.
• Reservations: Recommended. 
• Price: Prices start at 32€ (Caffé Umberto), 38€ (Eno Club). 
• WiFi: Yes.

Osteria Lalibera

Of our list of Alba restaurants, Laliberra is a bit more upscale with a fantastic wine list. Traditional dishes with an innovative twist. A visit here isn’t something we do often, so when we make the splurge it’s quite a treat.

Find it! Osteria Lalibera

• Address: Via Elvio Pertinace, 22, Alba.
• Phone: +39 0173 293 155.
• Hours: 
  • Monday: 20:00 – 23:00.
  • Tuesday to Saturday:
  • Lunch: 12:30 – 14:30. 
  • Dinner: 20:00 – 23:00.
  • Closed: Sunday.
• Reservations: Recommended.
• Price: Prices start at 35€.  

Piazza Duomo

The only three Michelin-starred Piedmont restaurant. In 2017 it ranked # 17 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. It books up far in advance, so make your reservations early. I ate there not long ago! Read my notes on what to know about dining at Piazza Duomo.

Find it! Piazza Duomo

• Address: Piazza Risorgimento 4, Alba. 
• Phone: +39 0173 366167.
• Email: info@piazzaduomoalba.it
• Hours: Open daily for lunch, dinner.
• Reservations: Required.
• Price: Tasting menus start at 180€ per person.

Casual, Pizzerias:

Osteria dei Sognatori

A traditional eatery serving hearty local food and wine at great prices. During high season, you’ll see both locals and visitors line-up here – literally because they do not take reservations. They also have an adjacent bistro, Bistrot dei Sognatori, that serves food from the same kitchen. The Bistrot is open daily for coffee, lunch, aperitivo, and dinner. 

Find it! Osteria dei Sognatori

• Address: Via Macrino, 8, Alba.
• Hours: 
  • Open daily: 19:30 – 23:00.
  • Closed: Tuesday.
• Reservations: No. It’s a good idea to get there when they open to get a table. 
• Price: Prices start at 25€.  

Pizzeria Da Gio

Da Gio is a great casual option in our list of Alba restaurants and is one of our favorite pizza places. They also do traditional dishes from antipasti to pasta, and mains as well as artisan beers if you need a break from wine. You can get your pizza for takeaway. 

Find it! Pizzeria Da Gio

• Address: Via Cuneo, 3, Alba.
• Hours: Open daily,
  • Lunch: 12:00 to 15:00.
  • Dinner: 19:00 – 12:00.
  • Closed: Tuesday. 
• Price: Plates and pizzas start at 7€.

Pizzeria Cincilla

An Alba restaurant institution. Pizzeria Cincilla is owned by a husband and wife team from Naples who have been making pizzas in their wood-fired oven for decades — watch them from the counter. Traditional dishes and pasta are also available. Pizza is available for takeaway.

Find it! Pizzeria Cincilla 

• Address: Via Giacosa, 2 Alba.
• Hours: Open daily,
  • Lunch: 12:00 –  14:30.
  • Dinner: 19:00 – 22:00. 
• Price: Plates and pizzas start at 7€.
• WiFi: No.

Bove’s

Bove’s has become our Friday night take-out ritual for burgers and fries. Amazing. But, they also have great menu items. Restaurant dining is fantastic, including outdoor seating.

Find it! Bove’s Alba 

• • Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 3, Alba.
  • Hours: Open daily,
    • Lunch: 12:15 –  14:30.
    • Dinner: 19:15 – 22:30. 
  • Price: Start at 7€.

Trattoria da Sergio

Just up a side street off the main pedestrian street of via Maestra, Trattoria Sergio is a great eatery offering a combination of regional cuisine mixed with Sardinian – think fish! You’ll also find local and Sardinian wines. It’s a real treat, especially for the seafood lovers in town!

Find it! Trattoria da Sergio

• Address: Via Giuseppe Mazzini, 6, Alba.
• Hours: Tuesday to Monday: Lunch: 11:00 –  15:00, Dinner: 19:00 – 24:00; closed Wednesday.

Best Restaurants in Alba: Wine and Aperitivo

Wine Bars, Tasting Rooms:

Voglia di Vino

A wine bar offering tasting flights and an extensive wine by the glass list. You can also try older vintages as well as producers like Gaja with their Coravin system. Ask Luca for the Girl’s Gotta Drink tasting flight – five regional wines I picked myself at 15€; drinks are always served with a complimentary small plate of food. 

Find it! Voglia di Vino

• Address: Via Elvio Pertinace, 7A, Alba.
• Hours: Open daily, 11:00. 
• WiFi: Yes.

Risié Tasting Shop & Bar

Wine bar with outdoor seating in the main piazza. They have a small menu of local foods. We love this place because in addition to area wines we can also find some lovely ones from France. 

Find it! Risié

• Address: Piazza Savona, 5, Alba.
• Hours: Closed Monday.
• Wifi: Yes.  

Roberto Sarotto Tasting Room

Located in Piazza Savona with prime outdoor seating. The Sarotto tasting room features about the best aperitivo plate in Alba. The high quality meats and cheeses perfectly accompany Sarotto wines; available by the glass, bottle, and tasting flights. Aperitivo plate comes with any wine ordered.

Find it! Roberto Sarotto

• Address: Piazza Savona 3/A, Alba.
• Hours: 
• Friday – Tuesday: 10:00 to 22:00.
• Thursday: After lunch.
• Closed: Wednesday.
• WiFi: Yes.

Ape Wine Bar – Alba

New on the scene is Ape Wine Bar in Alba, owned by Giorgio Rivetti and Anja Cramer of La Spinetta. It’s the bar’s second location, the first in Santo Stefano Belbo. Enjoy wines by the glass, a fantastic wine list, great aperitivo, and a nice lunch and dinner menu. One of my favorite parts? There is a baby changing station in the bathroom – a rarity in Italy! Grazie Mille, Anja!

Find it! Ape Wine Bar – Alba

• Address: Piazza Risorgimento 3, Alba. 
• Hours: 
• Open daily: 10:00 to 24:00.
• Closed: Monday.
• WiFi: Yes.

Welcome to the neighborhood, @apewinebar_alba! 🥂 #openingday

A post shared by Valerie Quintanilla (@valeriekq) on Mar 21, 2017 at 8:47am PDT

T Ristoro

Another great addition to the aperitivo scene – and, if you are more in the mood for a cup of tea, you can get that with a lovely torta! T Ristoro is owned by Caffé Teatro, and you’ll find it just right around the corner. A great wine by the glass list – often you can find wines from other countries, not always an easy feat. And, a fantastic mixture of unique apertivo eats, different to your usual meat and cheese offer.

Find it! T Ristoro

• Address: Via Mandelli, 9, 12051 Alba.
• Hours: 
  • Open daily: 11:00 to 22:00.
  • Closed: Wednesday.

Beer:

Pensavo Peggio

A great local brewery / beer bar. They brew their ale on site. Even better, they have the best aperitivo buffet in town with some killer pizza. Wine is available. And, they do coffee in the morning and a lunch and dinner service.

Find it! Pensavo Peggio

• Address: Corso Langhe, 59, Alba.
• Hours: 
  • Open daily: 8:00 to 22:00.
  • Closed: Sunday, Monday. 
• WiFi: Yes.

Best Restaurants in Alba: Speciality

Gelato:

La Romana (the only gelateria you need!)

Best gelateria in town. Order the panna fresca if you like whipped cream. They do cups, cones, cakes, and takeaway. Find it! La Romana

• Address: Corso Italia, 2, 12051 Alba.
• Hours: Open daily, 12:00 – 22:00. 
• WiFi: Yes.

Vegetarian and cocktail bar:

Soda

Probably the only all-veg restaurant in Alba. I get excited for the Pad Thai (oh, how I miss thai food!) They serve no wine, only cocktails with an emphasis on gin and tonics, and craft beer. If you like mojitos they will impress.

Find it! Soda

• Adress: Corso Langhe, 6, Alba.
• Hours:
  • Open daily: 19:30 – 23:00.
  • Closed: Monday.

VegCafe

Not many meatless Alba restaurants, but Veg Cafe is a great option all day long for morning (or afternoon!) coffee, pastries, aperitivo, lunch and more. It’s become a frequent stop for us with extra space as the stroller fits easy.

Find it! VegCafe

• Adress: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 12, Alba.
• Hours:
  • Open daily: breakfast, lunch.
  • Closed: Monday.

Foccacia:

Focacceria di Budego

If you are looking for a quick bite to eat while walking around town, Budego is perfect. The focaccia is amazing and the owner is always entertaining. But, take the opening hours with a grain of salt. As frequently, I walk by and they are closed during the day. Shoot for lunch, aperitivo.

Find it! Focacceria di Budego

• Adress: Via Cavour Besnco, 9, Alba.
• Hours:
  • Open daily: 9:00 to 19:30.
  • Closed: Sunday.

Sushi:

Hasu

Yes, that’s right, you can have sushi here in Alba.

Find it! Hasu 

• Address: Via Cavour, 10, Alba.
• Hours: Open daily,
  • Lunch: 12:15 – 14:30.
  • Dinner: 19:15 – 24:00.

Enjoy all the fantastic Alba Restaurants!

We hope The Insider’s Guide to Alba restaurants helps you explore the culinary – and wine – delights of our city. There are also a ton of fantastic dining options in the Barbaresco and Barolo villages – check out our Insider’s Guide to Barolo and Barbaresco Restaurants, too! Don’t miss our adventures about town, subscribe to the blog in the upper right.

And, if you need any help with your area travel plans, click for our tour and travel planning services.

Do you have some favorite Alba restaurants that we’ve missed? Please, let us know in the comments!

Read More:

• How to get to Alba, Italy: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
• Getting Around Barolo and Barbaresco
• How to do a day trip to Barolo from Turin
• Insider’s Guide to Restaurants in Florence, Italy