The dining room here evokes the turn of the 19th century with its high ceilings, chandeliers, and damask drapes. The food shines, from the classic anolini in brodo di manzo e cappone (a local variation on tortellini in brodo) to the exquisite roast veal stuffed with prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The friendly staff and a terrific wine list add to the enjoyment.

The romantic atmosphere of Parma can also be felt in the best restaurants, hotels and B & Bs in the historic center: for example in La Filoma, a seventeenth-century building a few meters from the Baptistery and the Duomo. Three small rooms, one in golden yellow brocade, one in green and one more intimate, red, brocades, damask napkins, refined cutlery accompany the traditional dishes prepared at the moment, reinvented with a “slow” spirit that re-elaborates precious raw materials, for example the flours. La Forchetta is also located in a nice place in the center, in the Duomo area: the director, in the kitchen, is a young Sicilian chef, Angelo Cammarata, who on the menu knows how to alternate traditional local dishes with proposals for gourmet fish, recounting the his land through flavors.

Inside a seventeenth-century building in the historic center of Parma, very close to the cathedral and the baptistery and to the Royal Theater, is the “La Filoma” restaurant, an elegant and refined place, very well-kept, with three pastel-colored rooms and crystal chandeliers. The cuisine uses only local products based on creativity combined with typical local recipes and the Parma tradition. Among the specialties, prepared by an extraordinary hand that obtains succulent dishes while keeping them light, are:

Proper old-school service is guaranteed at this classic trattoria near the cathedral where the decor in the three dining rooms conjures up belle époque Paris. The signature dish is an insanely delicious parmesan risotto with black truffle covered with culatello, a ham made in only eight villages in the Po Valley. The terrific, reasonably priced wine list is hard to resist (mains from £13; ristorantelafiloma.it).

Indulging in the local culinary delights is one of the best things to do in Parma, and there’s no place to do it than Filoma, the city’s oldest restaurant. Opened in the early 1900s, it occupies a beautiful 17th-century building in the heart of the historic center. Its name pays homage to its founder, Mrs. Filomena, affectionately known as Filoma.

Le plus ancien restaurant de Parme, ouvert en 1915, est situé à 50 mètres de la Piazza del Duomo. Les touristes sont très attirés par le cadre du Filoma : des intérieurs élégants et un mobilier classique. Charlie Chaplin y a souvent dîné lorsqu’il venait à Parme.