Plaza de Funk – Secret Rovereto

Tips for eating well, drinking even better and chilling out.

Loco’s Bar
Via Valbusa Grande, 7 Rovereto (TN) 38068

This is where all the crazy heads in Rovereto hang out. It has a lot of problems with neighbours in the summer as it gets really busy and people spill on the streets, so it’s not uncommon to be showered with water by some angry neighbour trying to sleep upstairs! Haha! The internal décor has pretty much been the same for the past 15 years but the atmosphere is magical. Make sure you drink an Americano at the bar, the staff are really friendly. Unless you tell them I sent you.

Museo Mart
Corso Bettini 43 Rovereto (TN) 38068
http://english.mart.trento.it/

This is one of the largest – if not the largest – modern art museums in Italy. The exhibitions vary from time to time, but the structure itself is amazing – it was designed by famous architect Mario Botta. Rovereto was at the forefront of the futuristic art movement at the beginning of the last century, and the most famous artist from Rovereto is Fortunato Depero who later achieved fame and success in New York before returning to Italy. His home, which has been turned into a museum, is also a must-visit but is currently being restructured. The Mart museum continues this tradition of avant-garde art and is definitely worth a visit!

Baita Costa Pelada
Localita’ Polsa di Brentonico 38060
http://www.baitacostapelada.it/

It doesn’t get more secret than this, it’s about a 20 minute drive from Rovereto in the middle of the woods and you’ll be wondering where the hell you are going. The answer is: to a baita (chalet) on the top of a mountain with a spectacular view and the most amazing food you will ever taste. Most of the time there’s not even a menu, you just eat whatever’s been prepared fresh that day, and it’s never anything less than excellent. If you are in a group of people it’s very likely that owner Mauro will not let you go without offering you a bottle of champagne. Legend! Although, you will probably get very drunk so you'll have to convince a friend to stay sober because the only way to get there is by car.

Manialcielo
Piazza delle Erbe Rovereto (TN) 38068
http://www.myspace.com/manialcielo

This bar has been opened quite recently but has been a big hit; it’s where all the young people go for aperitivo. You could do a lot worse then have a few spritz (white wine with aperol and soda) while sampling the free food inside. Broad beans and prawns go particularly well with the aperitivi, but local salame is not bad either. It’s bustling in the summer, and you will also find some breakbeat sounds courtesy of DJs 5th Suite and Pea. It’s a great place to start your night - the name means “hands in the air” by the way. Owner Max aka Cif is a party animal, you have been warned!

Lake Garda
http://www.lagodigarda.it/

My favourite thing to do in the summer is to go and chill somewhere on Lake Garda, it’s so close it’s practically considered an extension of the city. Riva and Torbole, the two nearest towns, are quite famous for windsurfing if that’s your thing, but personally I prefer to have a few glasses of nice wine and eat fish. If you’re a bit more adventurous you can venture to Sirmione which is where the Latin poet Catullus lived, as there are still lots of Roman ruins there. And if you go to Malcesine, you can catch the cable car which takes you on the top of Monte Baldo from where you can see the whole lake. The view is truly amazing, I love coming here to chill.

Published: 26/11/2007

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