Favorite restaurants in Padova

After doing a search on chowhound.com for Padua, Italy, we chose Osteria del Capo during a day trip a couple months ago. This is a small family-run place on a back street. We had a three course lunch (fish for me, rabbit for husband), wine, water, coffee, even a shot of the local liquor afterwards. There is a fairly recent post with a list of Padua restaurants if you search chowhound. The op had the same criteria as you.

Do stay away from the famous cafe in the center. It's impressive looking, even on the tourist route, but now it's an overpriced corporate property. On the other hand, you'll love the market.

Hi Barbara, we stayed in Padova at the Hotel Plaza, so we were near the Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza della Frutta area. We didn't find very many restaurant buildings, but in the evening after 7pm, tables would be set up in the piazzas (earlier in the evening for drinks, only) and enjoyed our meals there. We ate at tables set up with white linens in Piazza dei Signori our last evening and had an excellent meal in a beautiful setting.

Thanks Jean and Bets. It sounds lovely.