UPDATED MAR 2020. If you’re new to Vicenza, firstly welcome. Secondly, I know there’s a lot to think about while you are settling in and getting everything organized, so I wanted to make it a little easier for you by sharing my list of favorite local businesses in Vicenza. Of course, over time you will find your own favorites, but I hope this can help get you started. If you have any questions or other suggestions, just leave them in the comments.
My Favorite Local Businesses In Vicenza That Will Make Your Life Better
Make the most of your time in Vicenza
If you’ll be living in Vicenza, I really encourage you to make the most of your time there, not only with local businesses but also travel adventures. I have just the thing to help you!
Download my Ultimate Vicenza Bucket List for a complete list of day trips, travel adventures, and events to help you live your Vicenza chapter to the fullest.
Local Businesses For Food
It’s pretty safe to say that it’s hard to find a bad meal in Italy. The food is just as amazing as you’d expect. Here are a few of my favorite places for food though.
Pizza
Hands down Madison 2 Pizza in Quinto Vicentino is my absolute favorite pizza spot. It’s a family-run place and Oana is always there to greet me with a beaming smile. The pizza is always delicious and fresh too.
There are so many options on the menu so there is something for everyone. My favorites are the ‘Autunno’, ‘Maldive’, ‘Carbonara’, and a custom one I make of ‘Salamino con pancetta, con crema ai 4 formaggi’.
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Cafe
This is a hill I will die on – Bebo Bistro in Quinto Vicentino has the best brioches. Fluffy, flakey, with a big dollop of whichever topping you get – I always get chocolate. They’re especially good if you visit early in the morning when they are fresh and warm.
My other favorite cafe is one I found during isolation. Pasticceria San Marco Cavazzale began a delivery service that was such a treat. We couldn’t leave the house, but we could still have delicious Italian food. I ordered a lot of different food from sweets to meals and even an Easter lunch, and everything I tried was amazing!
Probably one of my favorite local businesses in Vicenza because of my sweet tooth – Bebo Bistro
Italian food
You can go literally anywhere for good Italian food. ‘Trattorias’ are my favorite style of place – go to them or ‘Osterias’ for big portion, home cooking just like mama makes it. ‘Ristorantes’ are usually a little more expensive and not as homely. But I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad meal here.
Gelato
Again, you can go just about anywhere for great gelato.
My favorite is Mega Gelato and they have the very best pistachio gelato that you will ever try.
Funghi e tartufo is my favorite pasta dish
Mexican food
If you get a craving for Mexican food, go visit Tacos And Amigos. The owners there are super friendly and the food is consistently flavorful, delicious, and high quality. They have a great range of cocktails too.
I wish I had known about it earlier because it is such a nice treat.
Groceries
Most towns have their own supermarket and I love to visit mine for meats and deli products. There is also Emisfero in the Palladio Mall which is a big grocery store if you want Italian products.
You can also visit any of the smaller specialty stores which are all over the place. I definitely recommend trying a bit of everything.
Iper Rosetto in Torri Di Quartesolo is another good spot for Italian groceries and I also like to go there to buy products like truffle butter, oils, and pasta sauces to send to family for care packages.
Local market goodies
Farm fresh eggs and vegetables
There are local farmers markets in every town on different days, so I recommend checking the town you will be living in for the times of their local markets.
The markets in downtown Vicenza are held on Thursdays and Sundays.
There are also a lot of farms around town that you can visit to buy vegetables, eggs, and other products like honey from the farm. Look for signs out the front that say ‘verdura in vendita’.
In Quinto Vicentino, I like to go to Luca’s farm on Via Quintarello.
Bubble Tea
This one is not in Vicenza, but it’s close and better than the one in Vicenza in my opinion.
If you get a craving for Bubble Tea, visit Ruggi in Padova.
Local Businesses For Beauty And Body
Waxing, facials, and massages
I’ve tried a few places for regular beauty services and Fiore Di Loto stands well above the rest for me.
It is a family run business which is something I especially love, but also the quality of the services is always such a high standard and the staff make you feel welcome every time. There is a strong focus on natural products and I was even able to buy a bamboo brush there.
I see Paola for my waxing and facials and she is like an Italian mum for me – she was even teaching me to cook in our last appointment! My heart smiles when I think of her because she has made me feel like part of the family.
For bookings call 0444 506 483 or WhatsApp +39 389 028 5604.
Haircuts
My recommendation for a hairdresser is also Fiore Di Loto. I’ve also tried a lot of different hairdressers around town and I stopped shopping around after I went here because it has been the best for me.
Nicolò, my favorite Viking hairdresser, will definitely make you feel beautiful. He listens to your vision for your hair and makes suggestions, which ends up giving you a fantastic result. When you leave, you feel like a new woman. His father, Paolo, also cuts hair at the salon and no matter who you see, you’re in good hands.
Men can also get haircuts here. They recently added a specialty barber room which looks like an awesome treat for men.
For bookings call 0444 506 483 or WhatsApp +39 389 028 5604.
Microblading
If you’ve been thinking about getting Microblading for your eyebrows, I definitely recommend going to Viorica. She did my eyebrows and I adore them!
You don’t want to miss her amazing and affordable brow magic.
Contact Viorica on Facebook here.
Lashes
I’ve had so many compliments on my eyelashes since I started getting them done, and I’m always singing her praises, but I’m excited to formally introduce you to Tea’s Eyelashes.
I honestly don’t know what I would do without her. I have always had a good experience, and not only do the diva lashes she gives me look great, but I’ve also never had any issues with them in terms of comfort or quality.
Contact Tea on her Facebook page here.
Dentist
If you need to see a dentist, I recommend Clinica Dentale in Torri di Quartesolo.
This big clinic is professionally run, efficient, and there are staff who speak English. I’ve only been for a routine clean, but it was a really smooth process from booking to getting there and doing the paperwork, and the cleaning itself.
They also do other dental work like braces and implants if you need them.
Local Businesses For Pets
Vet
To be honest, finding a good vet has been a huge challenge in Italy.
This is only my experience, but, in my opinion, the vets I’ve been to so far have been consistently negligent and unhygienic. Yearly checks have basically been a quick look, with no tests or even listening to the heart.
I’ve even been in multiple appointments where the counter isn’t wiped down between appointments and there is blood or other body fluids on it from the previous appointment.
UPDATE: My dog had an ear infection recently and I tried a new vet who I was happy with – Dr. Serena Bressan. It was only a couple of visits but my dog was checked thoroughly, it was a hygienic clinic, and both vets I saw were very professional and helpful.
Lago Di Fimon is a nice spot for dog walking in nature
Boarding and grooming
For grooming, I send the furry kid to Von Casa Falco, which is also where she goes for boarding when I travel.
I’m guessing that nobody really wants to put their dog in a kennel, right? But when you do, you want somewhere that you can trust to take care of your pets and keep them safe.
I travel a lot and have used Von Casa Falco for boarding many, many, many times over the years. The family-run team there have always taken care of my babies (who are always welcomed with lots of cuddles), and it’s taken any worry away from my mind while I’m traveling.
For more information and bookings, visit their website.
Pet food and accessories
If you are looking for a bigger range of pet food and accessories, I usually go to Mi Fido Pet or Maxi Zoo. If I can’t find whatever I need there, I use Amazon.
Local Businesses For Car Stuff
Mechanic
The car service on base is OK when you get started but it’s expensive and there’s usually long wait periods. It’s good to find a mechanic in town that you can use for things that need fixing in a timely manner.
My go to mechanic is Autofficina Bazzan Edoardo.
He has always been lovely to deal with and helpful with my car for oil changes and a few other minor maintenance repairs I have needed.
There was one case with my breaks that I had to order the parts online and then he was able to put them on, so keep in mind that may be the case for you too if you have an American car.
I’ve heard great things about Zemin Walter too but I haven’t been there yet.
Parking downtown
When I am going to catch a train or visit downtown, I use ‘Park Verdi‘ for parking. If you put it into Google Maps it will take you directly there.
Local Businesses For The House
Florist
I love, love, love stopping in a Fioreria Pasqualin dal 1900 in Vicenza for a bouquet of beautiful flowers when I am in town.
The store is adorable and there are so many plants that it feels like a living building sometimes. I love how the flowers are always handled with such care when you pick the ones you want, presented like art, and wrapped in paper.
Home depot type store
If you need a store like Home Depot, I usually go to Leroy Merlin. It’s got a big range and I’ve always been able to find whatever I’ve needed for my crafting or DIY projects.
Craft items, gardening, and woo-woo
For other craft items, plants, gardening supplies, I go to Viredea. They also have a 10% discount if you show your base ID.
It’s another big store with a lot to choose from and they even have a woo-woo section where you can get things like crystals and sage bundles.
The goats outside of Viredea are always fun to see
Furniture
I haven’t bought any big furniture items from a store since living here because the only things I have bought were second hand.
However, sometimes I like to window shop at Maisons du Monde because they have a lot of gorgeous home decor items. There’s also a big IKEA not far from Vicenza.
Thrift store
For thrift store lovers, there are a lot around town and also antique markets.
I like to visit the Cooperativa Sociale Insieme every so often to see what’s there. I really just go to browse and have found some cool things like a copper pot for only €20!
I’ve also heard good things about Yesterday® Il Nuovo di Ieri but I haven’t been in there yet. Just sharing because it’s on my list of places to check out.
Other posts on living in Vicenza
Day Trips From Vicenza – 5 Easy Public Transport Friendly Outings
Moving To Italy From America – A Chunky Guide Of What To Expect
Maximize Your Visit With This Guided Tour Of The Colosseum In Rome
Hikes In The Dolomites – 17 Day Trips You Don’t Want To Miss
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