Natural wine bars Verona & Garda
Natural Wine Bars Verona & Garda
From the Roman Arena's shadow to the lapping shores of Lake Garda, discover Valpolicella's natural wine revolution and lakeside cicchetti culture
What to Expect
Verona's natural wine scene thrives in historic "osterie" and backstreet "vinerie," while Lake Garda offers lakeside sipping with views of the Alps. Expect volcanic reds from the Lessini hills, skin-contact Garganega, and Trentodoc spumante by the water.
Verona Historic Centre
The cult natural wine bar hidden behind the Arena di Verona ("tor-tor" means funnel in local dialect). Owners Ilaria Prodomi and Gianluca Manara funnel their passion into a tightly curated list of Italian and French natural wines—"narrow and well-curated" as the sommeliers say. This is the spot for prosecco col fondo (unfiltered) and zero-dosage Crémant. The vibe is laid-back with intimate indoor seating and street tables perfect for watching the Arena crowds. Pair your glass with homemade pumpkin lasagna or simple cheese boards. Ask for Corte Bravi wines—small natural producers from the Veneto hills.
A historic wine bar tucked beside the first-century Arena, where locals gather for aperitivo standing outside with glasses of natural wine. The atmosphere is pure Veronese—no-nonsense, convivial, deeply traditional. While they serve conventional wines, their natural selection is excellent and growing, featuring small European producers and local low-intervention Valpolicella. The cicchetti-style small plates are simple but impeccable: anchovies, local cheeses, and house-marinated olives. As WineMe school co-founder Matteo Girardi notes, "an aperitivo here, standing outside with the locals, is a true Veronese experience." Predominantly local clientele, zero tourist frills.
Not officially a wine bar, but an essential stop for natural wine lovers. This exquisite salumeria offers fine wines and gourmet delicacies with a secret weapon: the rear terrace overlooking the historic Ponte Pietra and the serpentine Adige River. It's a breathtaking sensory experience—perhaps the best view in Verona for a glass of wine. Select your natural bottle from the shelves (featuring organic Valpolicella and unusual Venetian varieties), add some artisanal charcuterie, and retreat to the secluded terrace. Best visited for late lunch around 2pm during warmer months on a dry day.
Located just south of the historic centre, 13 minutes from Piazza Erbe and 4 minutes from the Arena, this is where serious wine lovers retreat. Boasting a "ridiculous" collection of 900 wine labels from the region, Italy, and Europe, Zero 7 maintains a strong natural and organic selection alongside classic Amarone. The modern approach to wine service pairs with exquisite antipasti—come for a quick glass, linger over aperitivo, or stay for dinner. The staff is knowledgeable about low-intervention producers and can guide you through volcanic whites from the Lessini hills or experimental skin-contact Garganega from small artisanal cellars.
True to its name, this prestigious institution exudes history with centuries-old wood-beamed interiors and one of Italy's most extensive wine lists. While traditionally focused on classic Amarone and Valpolicella, the Bottega has evolved to include natural and biodynamic selections from visionary local producers. Located in the heart of the city centre near Piazza Bra, it's where you treat yourself to exceptional wine in surroundings that haven't changed much since the 19th century. The recent addition of natural wine options alongside their 3,000+ bottle cellar makes this historic venue relevant for the new generation of wine drinkers. Pair with their legendary bollito misto.
A haven for wine aficionados located near the Ponte Pietra, boasting local and international selections that impress even seasoned connoisseurs. Beyond warm, attentive service, Baraldi offers exquisite degustazioni (tastings) of regional wines—perfect for those unable to tour Valpolicella. Their natural wine selection has grown significantly, featuring organic producers from the Veneto hills and beyond. The intimate space allows for personalized recommendations, and the staff is genuinely passionate about natural wine. Combine your visit with a trip to La Capitolare (the world's oldest operating library) for the ultimate cultural wine afternoon.
Veronetta (Left Bank)
A historic tavern in Veronetta (the bohemian left bank of the Adige) dating back to the 1800s when priests ("preti") were forbidden from drinking in public and frequented hidden taverns like this. Today it's a fantastic spot popular with locals, offering a vast array of natural and biodynamic wines alongside craft beers and simple, honest food. The atmosphere is youthful and convivial, with occasional live music. Unlike the tourist-heavy spots across the river, this is where Verona's students and artists gather to drink natural Valpolicella and discuss politics. The outdoor seating catches the afternoon sun perfectly.
Located a half-hour walk east of Piazza delle Erbe in the residential heart of Veronetta, Maddalene is a natural wine oasis off the beaten track. Enrico Giurdanella (wine marketing manager at Signorvino) recommends it for its "very welcoming mood and unconventional selection." The cozy atmosphere, impeccable service from Marcello Scandola (one of three owners), and high-quality, ever-changing natural wine list charm at all levels. They host fun tasting events focusing on organic and biodynamic producers from Italy and France. Freshly prepared bites accompany the wines, and the crowd is a mix of locals and in-the-know visitors seeking authentic Verona wine culture without the tourist hordes.
A bar, restaurant, and wine shop hybrid located in a quiet courtyard opposite the beautifully ornate Chiesa di San Fermo Maggiore. This is where you escape the hustle of Piazza Bra for a contemplative glass of natural wine. Amaro specializes in organic and natural selections from small Veneto producers, with a seasonal food menu that changes based on market availability. The courtyard seating is magical on warm evenings, and the interior features warm woods and soft lighting. It's the perfect spot for a quiet aperitivo or a full dinner paired with low-intervention wines from volcanic soils of the Lessini mountains.
Lake Garda - Eastern Shore (Veneto)
Join the locals at the Coltro family's small and simple wine bar just beyond the souvenir shops in central Garda town. Self-defined as an "ittiturismo" (fish-themed agriturismo), this is pure Veneto wine culture. Order a glass of Garganega, Custoza, Trentodoc, or Bardolino Chiaretto and pair it with freshly prepared cicchetti snacks. The focus is on lake and sea fish—fried perch fillets, mussels, whitefish, tuna balls, sardines, and smelt—though mini-panini with cold cuts are available too. The atmosphere is authentic and relaxed; take a stool inside or out and banter with regulars as they discuss the day's catch. No natural wine pretension, just honest local juice.
Located in the charming Borgo Bardolino—a walled public-access park converted by the Guerrieri-Rizzardi wine family on the site of their former winery—Munus occupies a beautiful farmhouse setting. While the family doesn't run the restaurant, their labels feature prominently alongside other local natural wines. The menu includes burrata-filled ravioli with Valpolicella Ripasso reduction and speck, or lake fish Parmigiana with char. An excellent range of vegetarian dishes features fresh pasta with spinach and local truffle. The wine list balances traditional Bardolino and Chiaretto with natural expressions from young producers experimenting with Corvina and Rondinella.
With a "wine first" philosophy, this informal estate eatery 4km from Lazise is part of the Masi group (famous for Amarone). The menu includes suggested wine pairings, with dishes incorporating wines like risotto made with Amarone and Monte Veronese cheese. Don't miss the multimedia wine museum on-site. While Masi is known for big, traditional Amarone, Tenuta Canova also explores natural and organic approaches, particularly in their experimental vineyards. The setting is peaceful with contemporary interiors and outside tables surrounded by greenery. A great spot to understand how natural wine fits into the broader context of Valpolicella's wine heritage.
In the stunning peninsula town of Sirmione—heart of Lake Garda's southern shore—this traditional trattoria offers refuge from the tourist bustle. Two simple dining rooms on opposite sides of the lane leading to Santa Maria Maggiore church create an intimate atmosphere. The wine cellar is a jewel with 350 labels spanning Italian classics to international selections, with particular attention to local natural wines and rare vintages. The focus is on lake fish: spaghetti with smoked pike, red tagliolini with perch, and traditional tench preparations. Don't miss the hard-to-find San Martino della Battaglia DOC (Friulano grape, locally called Tuchì)—a white wine rarity from the southern lake.
Run by Michela Girlanda (sommelier sister of Andrea at Osteria Rivelin), this deli/wine bar within Peschiera's historic walls is the perfect aperitivo spot. Located just a five-minute stroll from the Osteria, it focuses on Slow Food Presidia products like Monte Veronese cheese and Bagòss (saffron-infused cow's milk cheese). The wine selection emphasizes natural and organic labels from the Lake Garda area, with a particular focus on small producers using indigenous varieties. It's a locals' choice for a quick lunch of platters and panini, or for an evening aperitivo with local charcuterie. The atmosphere is modest and welcoming—no tourist traps here, just honest lake wine culture.
Lake Garda - Northern & Western Shores
A friendly wine bar on a pretty piazzetta opposite the water, just a short stroll from the ferry stop at Torbole on Garda's northern shore (Trentino side). There's a laid-back vibe and cool soundtrack, with a small interior and outside tables backed by lush wisteria and bougainvillea. The selection is perpetually evolving—though the majority are from the lake or wider Trentino-Alto Adige region, you'll find bottles from Sardinia and beyond satisfying curious locals who drop in for a glass on the way home from work. The focus here is on mountain wines: Nosiola, Teroldego, and Trentodoc spumante. Perfect for understanding how alpine terroir differs from the Veneto side of the lake.
The message on the window says it all: "No pizza, no lasagne, no mussels." The Torboli family is committed to authenticity and Trentino regional specialities. The menu includes canederli dumplings with crunchy speck, venison, and freshwater fish like homemade whitefish ravioli with smoked tench, fried lake sardines with polenta, or grilled rainbow trout. The wine list is impressive, focusing on the region and Lake Garda area with a selection of old vintages and wines made from rare, ancient varieties from pre-phylloxera vines. Natural wine enthusiasts will appreciate their selection of artisanal Trentino producers working with indigenous varieties like Nosiola and Teroldego.
At Salò, which sits around a secluded bay on the lake's western shore (Lombardy), this modest-looking deli run by Rocco Arici and wife Monica is the locals' choice for a tasty lunch. Alongside daily specials like meatloaf or frittata, platters and panini are available all day. Specialities include truffle-infused Formagella from Tremosine sul Garda, mature goat's cheeses, and Bagòss (Slow Food Presidium cow's milk cheese made with saffron). The wine selection includes refreshing own-label Turbiana whites and natural wines from the Valtènesi area. Try a Tassoni cedrata spritz—the historic Salò-based producer of the citron drink is a local institution.
Located within the historic town walls of Peschiera, this welcoming restaurant focuses on Slow Food Presidia ingredients like Monte Veronese cheese and locally caught lake fish. Run by Andrea Girlanda, the kitchen makes gnocchi fresh daily—try them with lake fish ragout. The wine list is strictly local, featuring organic and natural producers from the Garda hinterlands. Before dinner, visit sister venue La Vecia Bottega (run by sommelier sister Michela) for an aperitivo with local charcuterie. The combination of historic setting, ethical sourcing, and natural wine focus makes this a must-visit on the eastern shore.
