Eating typical and well in Prato is possible, here are the vinaini, taverns / wine bars where you can eat cold cuts and cheeses and drink glasses of wine, all for just over € 5.
In Tuscany. i vinaini they represent a typical, low-cost way to eat. As the name suggests, in these places, where you often eat standing up or leaning against a counter, you drink local wine, by the glass, and you can taste simple traditional dishes, usually sliced with cold cuts and cheese.
In the last year, a Dishes, have opened 3 restaurants in this style, which are worth trying if you are in the area. They are all located in the historic center, a few steps from each other, and have become meeting points, not only for lunches and dinners, but also for aperitifs and drinks until late at night. The strong point is that with a few euros to eat and drink well, with local products.
Marcellino Bread and Wine
The first is Marcellino Bread and Wine, perhaps the most traditional of the three. The local is close to Town Hall Square and it is very small, but cozy, with yellow painted walls. The specialties are stuffed flatbread with salami: the porchetta is really excellent! On Friday and Saturday it remains open up to 2 at night, while on other days of the week the closing is anticipated to 20: for this reason, the place is particularly suitable for quick lunches or tasty snacks.
Fiaschemberg
Another vinaino is Fiaschemberg, which is located in an alley of Prato, a little outside the chaos of the main streets. When I went, it was still warm and the weather allowed us to eat outside, so we had dinner on a barrel as a table. The interior of the restaurant is however very nice and refined, it has a slightly vintage atmosphere.
The choice of cutting boards is very wide and the portions generous. Let me tell you what the dishes of the kitchen are, which vary almost daily: it may happen that there is soup of bread, tripe, peposo, pappa col pomodoro ... in short, the Tuscan tradition is still at home. The staff is always courteous and smiling, even if the place is full.
The Frari
The last one is The Frari, overlooking Garibaldi Street, one of the main streets. It is easily recognizable, because at the weekend, as early as 19pm, a crowd of people flocks right in front of the entrance and so it will be until late at night: the guys with a glass of wine in hand are chatting in peace, even with freezing temperatures.
The place is really nice: wide ceilings and white walls make the little environment more airy, while the particular paintings on the walls give a slightly more refined touch. The choice of the menu varies between cutting boards and tapas and with a mixture of cold cuts and small cheeses, from 5€, you can make a good aperitif. The choice of wines is very wide.
The good and the bad, compared to the other two addresses, is the people: being very popular, it is also the least peaceful place. So if I absolutely recommend it to those who want to spend an evening with friends, I would not do the same for a family, perhaps armed with a stroller.
A 'last straight: remember the specialties of Prato when ordering! So if they are available, you can't not try it Mortadella di Prato and maybe a nice glass of Barco Reale of Artimino for a typical Prato dinner.
