Blog: Culinary Italy close at hand in Graz
Graz’s city centre, considered Europe’s largest preserved and contiguous old town, exudes a lot of Mediterranean flair all year round, but of course especially in the warm season. Since we still have to wait a bit for the lively guest gardens, we enjoy the Mediterranean atmosphere while shopping in Graz – and we simply take the Mediterranean delicacies home with us!
I went in search of culinary Italy in the city centre of Graz and now I’m taking you on a shopping trip of a different kind. With amazing Graz-Italy facts – and the best part: we paid for the entire purchase with GrazGutscheine!
Let’s start in the Franziskanerviertel, a well-known place for the Italophiles of Graz. Prosciutto, pizza, pasta and co. are as much at home here as the Franciscan monastery.
In the warm spring sun, you can already admire olives on the little trees and the beautiful architecture here.
Not far from Franziskanerplatz is the small but fine delicatessen “Delikatessen Nussbaumer”. As the large sign above the shop reveals, the traditional shop specialises in cheese. Up to 140 types of cheese meet unusual and traditional specialities here. I stocked up on a wide variety of cheeses for the Italian evening.
Delikatessen Nussbaumer, Paradeisgasse 1, 8010 Graz. Open Tuesday to Friday from 09:30 to 18:30 and Saturday from 09:30 to 16:00.
On the way to the next shopping station, we catch a glimpse of the clock tower on Schlossberg. Surprisingly, there is also something Italian to discover here. Because none other than the star architect of the time, Domenico dell’Allio (un italiano vero), was commissioned to renovate the city fortifications and the fortifications on the Schlossberg in 1543.
Graz Fact: The Graz Fortress is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the strongest fortress of all time.
Of course, an Italian snack should not be without pane – and that’s exactly what you get at “Sorger Brot” – appropriately named Pane Rustico.
Sorger Bakery Sporgasse 4, 8010 Graz. Open from Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 08:00 – 19:00 and Sunday from 08:00 to 18:00.
We stay with the architect Domenico dell’Allio, but change location and let the architecture of the three-storey pillared arcades in the country house courtyard take its effect on us. Wonderful, that holiday feeling! And of course, a little break is not to be missed: The fountain at the Iron Gate is perfect for a short rest and to let the sun shine on your face.
Graz-Fact: Speaking of resting: have you ever seen the sleeping knight on the roof of the Zeughaus? The statue was installed in 2011 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Universalmuseum Joanneum.
Speaking of holiday feeling, a sparkling prosecco from Italy is of course a must. We found what we were looking for at “Dr. Bottle” at Reitschulgasse 27. This somewhat different store combines personal advice with selected wines, spirits and favourite items from all walks of life.
Dr.BOTTLE, Reitschulgasse 27, 8010 Graz. Open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00.
The last stop before we can enjoy our well-deserved antipasti is “Il Pastaio” at the Kaiser-Josef-Markt in Graz – a specialist for Italian delicacies and a brand new GrazGutschein partner business. Here we had prosciutto, salami, mortadella, parmesan and grissini packed.
IL PASTAIO Schlögelgasse 3, 8010 Graz. Open Tuesday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 08:00 to 13:00.
And last but not least, we enjoy all the Italian delicacies we found in the small and fine shops in Graz city centre! It’s a shame I can’t give you a piece of it, but at least I can whet your appetite for your own Italian snack at home.
I hope to read you again soon! All the best, Manuela from Testesser
P.S. You can find all GrazGutschein partners listed here.
