Righetti
A beloved Vicenza institution in a historic palace, offering authentic, affordable Veneto dishes in a unique self-service cafeteria setting.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Righetti
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved Vicenza institution in a historic palace, offering authentic, affordable Veneto dishes in a unique self-service cafeteria setting.
"A closely kept local secret offering delicious, no-frills Italian food at unbelievable prices."
Visit for Lunch
Experience a lively atmosphere filled with locals and enjoy faster service during lunchtime.
Embrace the Chaos
The ordering process is unique; be prepared for a self-service system without trays. It's all part of the experience!
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$
Phone
+39 0444 543135
Address
Piazza del Duomo, 3, 36100 Vicenza VI, Italy
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Italian Self-Service Lunch
Experience a true local gem in a historic palace with delicious, affordable Veneto dishes. A unique trust-based system!
Baccalà alla Vicentina
Savor the traditional Vicenza-style stockfish, a local specialty renowned for its flavor and authenticity.
Pear Soaked in Wine Dessert
A uniquely delightful dessert that has captured the hearts of many visitors, offering a sweet and surprising end to the meal.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit for Lunch
Experience a lively atmosphere filled with locals and enjoy faster service during lunchtime.
Embrace the Chaos
The ordering process is unique; be prepared for a self-service system without trays. It's all part of the experience!
Friendly Staff
Staff may have limited English, but they are helpful and eager to assist. A smile goes a long way!
Trust System
The restaurant operates on an honor system. Inform the cashier of your selections when paying.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit for Lunch
Experience a lively atmosphere filled with locals and enjoy faster service during lunchtime.
Embrace the Chaos
The ordering process is unique; be prepared for a self-service system without trays. It's all part of the experience!
Friendly Staff
Staff may have limited English, but they are helpful and eager to assist. A smile goes a long way!
Trust System
The restaurant operates on an honor system. Inform the cashier of your selections when paying.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Righetti is celebrated for its authentic Veneto cuisine and exceptionally reasonable prices, especially during its unique self-service lunch. Diners love the local atmosphere and the trust-based system, though some find the ordering process chaotic. The evening service receives mixed reviews, with some recommending it and others preferring the daytime experience.
"The most unusual and satisfying dining experience I had on my Vicenza short break. No tourist menu here. This is a closely kept local secret. In fact on the street all you see is a door with a canopy with "Self-service restaurant" written on it. Walk around the back to the Piazza del Duomo and you see packed tables with happy diners tucking into their food.
Self-service is a bit of a misnomer. Lunch is a choice of 3 mains dishes. Make your pick at the buffet counter and your plate is filled for you. Vegetables or salad come on a separate plate. Dessert is 4 cold dishes; tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and such like. Bread rolls are help yourself. The waiters check what's on your table and leave a running note with you. Wine and coffee are brought to you on request and the note is updated. When you leave take your note to the cash desk and your bill is calculated. And the great thing is it is about half what you expected!
In the evening they revert to standard table service and with a wide choice of dishes and drinks.
The food is simple and tasty and the clientele seem largely Italian and local. It is great value. If I lived here I would eat here every day."
herm dig
"Good for a quick bite. Fast service as you pick up your own food, very busy around lunch time. Nothing special for me except the pear soaked in wine! Loved it. I would stop by again just for that dessert!"
Elena
"The food itself was amazing! So tasty but well proportioned ingredients wise. Not too heavy or salty. Very reasonable prices too. The issue is the chaotic ordering process. You have no trays so you have to carry your food in multiple trips unless you have the arms of a Hindu god. You also don’t pay when you get the food so you have to remember what you ordered. There is also no clear line to get the food so this creates a mad dash at the food area. It’s stressful and unpleasant to get the food. I had the asparagus lasagna and it was some of the best food I’ve had in Vicenza( I just wish it was more relaxing to order."
Britz Man
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
During lunch, Righetti operates as a self-service cafeteria where you select your food from the counter and pay based on an honor system. It's a very local and trusted experience.
Yes, it's a great way to experience authentic local Italian dining. While some staff may have limited English, they are generally helpful.
Baccalà alla Vicentina and the pear soaked in wine for dessert are highly recommended. Many enjoy the fresh pasta and grilled vegetables.
It can be a bit chaotic during peak lunch hours due to the lack of trays and clear lines, but it's part of the unique Righetti experience.
Yes, in the evenings, Righetti reverts to standard table service with a wider menu choice, though some reviews suggest the lunch experience is preferred.
Righetti is known for its very reasonable prices, offering excellent value for money, especially for lunch.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Vicenza – more than a Palladian masterpiece | Italy holidays
Just next door to the Campanile is another institution, Righetti, housed in a 17th-century palace and a brilliant place for a cheap and delicious lunch. The place is always jam-packed, as this is an Italian take on a self-service cafeteria, where the chefs serve up steaming plates of freshly cooked pasta or risotto for €4-5, while plates of tasty grilled vegetables or salads cost only €2-3. Amazingly, the whole place runs on trust: no one notes down what you order, and diners just tell the cashier what they have eaten and drunk when they queue up to pay.
Restaurants in Vicenza
Vicentini of all generations gravitate to this popular self-service cafeteria for classic dishes that don't put a dent in your wallet. Expect hearty helpings of fare such as orzo e fagioli (barley and bean soup) and baccalà alla vicentina (stockfish Vicenza style).
Vicenza – Grand Architecture, Parks & Waterscapes
Around the corner is Righetti’s, a self-service restaurant and another Vicenza institution for over thirty years, that should be experienced. Customers find their own tables and set the cutlery themselves before walking to the back of the restaurant and placing their orders, from the daily changing menu on chalk boards, directly with the cooks in the kitchen. After dinner, the cashier counts your glasses and plates, then bills accordingly.
My Perfect Day In Vicenza: A Palladian Paradise
Housed in a 17th-century palace at Piazza Duomo, Righetti’s Self Restaurant is a local landmark. As its name suggests, this is a self-service restaurant. You choose a table, set it with a paper placemat and cutlery and then go to the counter to choose your courses (I recommend the Bacala’ alla Vicentina).
Ask a local: what should I do, see, and eat in Vicenza, Italy? | Gigi Griffis
I like Righetti, at Piazza Duomo 3, which is a self-service restaurant with popular meals. Food is fresh and homemade. You find the real Vicentini (locals) eating here during their lunchtime.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit