Osteria Francescana
One of the world’s “best of best” restaurants, there’s no place quite like Osteria Francescana in Modena.
Well-worth its three Michelin stars, it offers fairly modern Italian cuisine. The restaurant’s capacity, however, is as small as its reputation is big. The osteria has one dining room for 10 people, as well as another one for 20 people – ultimately meaning it’s difficult to find a place at one of the individual tables. If you do snag a place, may I suggest you try the gastronomical menu. But if you’re pressed for time, try three or four dishes. The dishes are served in small, non-fusion portions. Francescana goes for the minimal in its decoration, although it does have pink walls. The restaurant is also located in an alley, which can cause problems, especially as the area is closed to traffic on the weekends, meaning you might need to stretch your legs a bit if you’re arriving by car on Saturday or Sunday. But while Osteria Francescana has gained fame in the world, Modena’s hotels are not similarly up to scratch, as I couldn’t find any worth staying in.