By Paola Butera
On the road leading to Nocera, starting from the Frati Park, a breathtaking view unfolds before your eyes: the village skyline, enveloped by lush vegetation, resembles a living postcard. It is immediately evident that the care and attention dedicated to this place will leave us speechless. Ascending towards the heart of the historic centre, just before immersing oneself in the alleys and narrow streets that tell ancient stories, near the Porta di San Francesco, a historic entrance dating back to the 13th century-lies Il Borgo Antico.
This modern tavern is a unique gem, born from the passion and dedication of Ramona, its owner. Here every detail is designed to create a welcoming and charming atmosphere where one feels instantly at home yet also part of a magical setting in which Ramona is undoubtedly the protagonist. With her passions proudly displayed, the cuisine that blends tradition and modernity, and literature with books adorning shelves and tables, Ramona brings to life an authentic and engaging experience.
The restaurant sole room is enriched by rustic elements: an old rough wooden ladder used for olive harvesting leans against a wall; copper pots hang, small barrels are present, while a bookshelf made from raw planks holds numerous volumes. Each table features a different book, each carrying special significance. Looking up at a wall, one reads a phrase that encapsulates the essence of the place: “I have lived my life in many ways and never cease to travel: my thoughts always wander armed with imagination.” It is an invitation to let oneself be carried away by imagination and to live every moment as an extraordinary journey in search of authentic flavours.
In the kitchen, only local products are used, prepared with the care and love of times past. The platters pay tribute to local flavours, featuring typical regional cured meats and cheeses accompanied by excellent Umbrian wine. Every recipe originates from the stories of mothers and grandmothers, preserving precious secrets and rich tradition. Ramona pours her soul and heart into each dish, guided by intuition and a desire to experiment. Her passion for cooking is evident in every taste, bringing with it the warmth of the land and the essence of family. Ramona’s creativity is also reflected in the arrangements: here, birthdays, baptisms, and celebrations for groups of up to forty or fifty people are honoured with colourful and imaginative buffets that always delight. The restaurant further serves as a stage for special themed events, including book presentations and art exhibitions where artists recite texts accompanied by live music. During the warmer months, an outdoor space overlooking the gardens of the small square welcomes guests, while the warm evening lights create a magical atmosphere throughout. Just a few steps away, nestled within the historic Porta Vecchia, lies the norcineria where it all began.
This shop offers genuine products, allowing every visitor to select from premium cuts of meat, cured meats, and sausages with a unique flavour. Each day, a wide variety of ready-to-eat dishes warmly welcomes both tourists and locals, who find here the pleasure of a snack or lunch break featuring Nocera Umbra specialties.
Behind the counter, Massimo and Ramona greet customers with sincere smiles and great passion, guiding them by sharing the history and traditions embodied in each product.
A vegetable-filled roll immediately catches our attention: it is the ‘biscio’, an authentic recipe from Nocera Umbra’s tradition. This rolled savoury pie, made with green leaves and baked in the oven, was once the meal of pilgrims traveling along the Via Francigena. Then Massimo tells us about the Morsetto, a liver-based cured meat to which Nocera dedicates a special festival. The harmony felt here is palpable; nothing is left to chance. The restaurant appears as a natural extension of a deep-rooted tradition. The norcineria preserves its entire history precisely in that magical place among the ancient stones of Porta Vecchia. Here everything smells like home, family, and warmth: a beating heart that anyone crossing that threshold immediately senses and that continues to beat strongly thanks to those who still choose this corner of authenticity today.
Info: Ristorante Il Borgo Antico / Via dei Belgi,4 Nocera Umbra / tel. 373 7689993