Plan your trip to Friuli with Simon Woolf's pick of the best Friuli restaurants, hotels and shops...
Friuli accommodation
Agriturismo Colli di Poianis, Prepotto
Maura and Gabriele offer generously sized apartments in a peaceful location just a few kilometres away from Prepotto. You’ll sample Maura’s baking and passion for local, artisanal foods at breakfast. A wine tasting and tour of the estate is also highly recommended. www.collidipoianis.it
Agriturismo Paraschos, San Floriano del Collio
Set in a wonderful location overlooking the vineyards of San Floriano del Collio, these modern, stylish and spacious rooms are directly above the estate’s cellars. Don’t miss the Paraschos family’s excellent wines, including some made in amphorae along the same lines as Josko Gravner’s. www.paraschos.it
Relais Lis Neris, San Lorenzo Isontino
Situated in the middle of Friuli Isonzo, in the small village of San Lorenzo Isontino, an old farm courtyard has been lovingly restored by the Pecorari family to provide four sizeable, comfortable apartments. Everything at this estate is done with style and panache, including the wines. If you thought Pinot Gris was boring, everyday stuff, let Alvaro Pecorai change that impression forever. www.lisneris.it/en/relais
Palazzo Lantieri, Gorizia
Set in a stately 14th-century courtyard right in the centre of Gorizia, these grand but characterful rooms and apartments have gorgeous parquet floors and vintage furniture. Breakfast is also rather special. www.palazzo-lantieri.com
Friuli restaurants
Orsone, Cividale del Friuli
Joe and Lidia Bastianich opened this smart, cosmopolitan restaurant and bar in 2013. Situated right by their winery, close to Cividale del Friuli, the modern European cooking is top notch, as is the service. The sommelier is truly outstanding – let her suggest creative wine matches. www.orsone.com
Osteria d’Alchemista, Gorizia
Despite the name, this is a wine bar buried in the back streets. Owner Stefano specialises in natural wines and has some real treasures. Graze on local meats and cheeses, and catch some live music. www.facebook.com/Osteria-Lalchimista-1467327083558687
Osteria di Ramandolo
Clinging to one of Ramandolo’s higher peaks, this osteria allows a wonderful view of the Monte Bernadia hills, plus some very good eating. Decidedly upper-class cooking, with clever twists on traditional Friulian dishes. The wine list is varied and similarly original. www.osteriadiramandolo.it
Trattoria da Mario, Enoteca dello Schioppettino, Prepotto
There’s no better place for a good lunch than this unpretentious eatery. Cosy, warm and inviting, the food and the interior are as traditional as it gets. Even better, it has a superb selection of the local Schioppettino di Prepotto to sample by the glass or bottle. www.enotecaschioppettino.it
Friuli shops
Al Ponte, La Botteguccia dei Sapori, Cividale del Friuli
Although this delicatessen is tiny, it’s absolutely stuffed full of local, artisanal products – think fine olive oils, cured meats, pastries and outstanding honey. bottegucciadeisapori.oneminutesite.it
Covered market, Gorizia
Housed in an elegant market building on the Corso Verdi, the stalls here offer seasonal, local vegetables, cheese, meats, seafood and more. This is very much a living, breathing part of the city, not a chi-chi tourist attraction. Open Monday to Friday mornings and Saturday all day.
