Typical dishes of Bergamo: Polenta and Casoncelli

Bergamo, a picturesque city in northern Italy, is famous not only for its charming medieval streets and majestic mountain landscapes but also for its rich culinary tradition. This city is a food lover’s paradise, offering a wide range of traditional dishes that will delight anyone’s palate. Among the most renowned dishes are polenta, and casoncelli. In this article, we will explore typical dishes of Bergamo and best restaurants to have them!

Polenta: A Nourishing Staple

Polenta is a traditional dish from northern Italy and is an essential component of Bergamo’s cuisine. Made from yellow or white cornmeal and water, polenta is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways. Often, it is slow-cooked to achieve a dense, creamy consistency. It serves as a perfect base for accompanying cheeses, mushrooms, sausages, and stews. Bergamo’s polenta is known for its softness and rich flavor, thanks to the quality of the cornmeal used.

In Bergamo, polenta is often paired with rabbit, cured meats, and various types of meat but also with mushrooms and cheeses typical of the area.

Polenta Taragna: A Heartwarming Dish of Bergamascan Cuisine

Polenta taragna is a special variation of traditional polenta, named after the Bergamascan dialect word “tara,” meaning to mix.

typical dishes of Bergamo

The name of this preparation is reminiscent of ancient peasant traditions: in fact, the term “taragna” refers to the “tarai” or “tarell“, which was a wooden stick formerly used to mix (“tarare” in Italian) the flours and prevent them from sticking to the copper pot in which they were typically cooked.

Its preparation involves a blend of cornmeal and buckwheat flour, combined with local cheeses like bitto or taleggio, butter, and sometimes pancetta. This combination creates a dish that is not only delightfully creamy but also rich in intense, robust flavors. Polenta taragna is a true palate pleaser and a culinary experience you shouldn’t miss when visiting Bergamo.

Casoncelli: A Taste of Tradition

Casoncelli are a variety of stuffed ravioli that are typical of Bergamo. These small pockets of fresh pasta are filled with a mixture of ground meat, breadcrumbs, eggs, Grana Padano cheese, aromatics like rosemary and sage and, sometimes, some crumbled Ameretto biscuits. The casoncelli are cooked and then dressed with melted butter, crispy pancetta, and grated Grana cheese. A popular variation includes a condiment of fruit mustard, which adds a touch of sweetness and spiciness to the dish.

Their distinctive crescent shape has been passed down through generations and represents a Bergamascan culinary tradition that continues to thrive. These ravioli are served in many local restaurants and are a must-try for lovers of fresh pasta.

Restaurant Tips (Upper Town)

In “Città Alta” I really love “La Tana” for everything from traditional cuisine to local wines. For a first course, main course, glass of wine and water, you spend about 40€ per person.

In the same price range you can also find “Mimì” or “Mimmo,” two restaurants on the main street of Upper Town.

One of the most famous places in Città Alta is definitely “Il Circolino.” If you are looking for an “easygoing” place this is the choice for you. Also from Monday to Friday at lunch they have a fantastic 15€ menu that includes a first course, a second course, a glass of wine, water and coffee: unbeatable!

Restaurant Tips (Lower Town)

If you are looking for some local places in Bergamo in the lower part my favorite is definitely “La Scagna” Great prices, especially for lunch, and fantastic casoncelli and polenta.

Any alternatives? “Al Vecchio Tagliere” and “Trattoria d’Ambrosio” (the latter one of Bergamo’s historic places) will give you a real Bergamo experience!