Here's a list of some of the local bars and restaurants that we enjoy visiting in Castelnuovo and other nearby towns.
We are walking distance to a good pizzeria
Il Vecchio Ponte (+39 3894644201) is our local pizzeria.
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Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Our local town has a lovely market on Thursday. It is 6 minutes away by car. You can park by the train station and walk into town. There are many places to eat, or to have an Aperol Spritz or coffee.
A good place for a sit down for coffee and a pastry is Caffé Ariosto (4C56+P2 Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Province of Lucca) in the main square. It’s a favourite meeting place on market day.
There is also a very good seafood restaurant called Osteria del Pesce Pescheria Gelomarket (4C73+G5 Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Province of Lucca). It’s only open for lunch. Book a table in advance as they get very busy.
One of our favourite cake shops is Fronte della Rocca (4C56+V4 Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Province of Lucca). It sells some very funny tool-shaped chocolates (bound to appeal to someone like me).
Our local ice cream shop is Gelateria Castelnuovo Garfagnana (4C56+VQ Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Province of Lucca).
For something a little different you can try the new sushi restaurant in Pieve Fosciana, Sushi One (4CG6+WJ Pieve Fosciana, Province of Lucca). It has excellent food, freshly prepared, and is a very different experience from our usual restaurants.
Finally, for a casual meal, you can try Mara Meo Maltagliata (2GF4+F8 Coreglia Antelminelli, Province of Lucca), which serves burgers, salads, pasta, and pizzas.
Barga
Barga is an historic nearby town that is famous for its jazz and medieval festival. There are many restaurants within the walls of the town, but we particularly like Ristorante Alfonso, in Piazza Angelio (3FFM+7Q Barga, Province of Lucca). The menu offers a modern twist on the local Garfagnana food.
For great seafood, try Giro di Boa, (+39 328 212 2012). Book in advance as it is very popular.
Barga also has a superb gelatarea, called Theobroma (3FCM+JC Barga, Province of Lucca).
Parking: The best free parking is at Parking Hayange (3FCJ+WM Barga, Province of Lucca).
Lucca
A short drive away is the walled city of Lucca, which has many good restaurants and attractions. One place we really like is Osteria Baralla (RGW4+8F Lucca, Province of Lucca). It’s just off Via Fillungo, which runs along the south-east side of the main square and is the main shopping street. There’s a very good gelataria next door.
Camporgiano
Farther up the valley, Camporgiano has two good offerings. For those looking for vegetarian or vegan food a great choice is Osteria Namaste (49R5+8G Camporgiano, Province of Lucca). Book in advance as they get very busy and do not accept walk-ins.
At the other end of the market is Agriturismo Mulin Del Rancone (588M+2W Camporgiano, Province of Lucca), which has a menu focused on meat, fish, and cheese. It offers good-quality hearty food that comes in several courses. Arrive hungry.
Roggio
A little further past Camporgiano is Roggio. It’s a beautiful little village and a popular starting point for walking and mountain biking. Bar Ristorante Coletti (47RV+3P Roggio, Province of Lucca) serves good locally produced food.