Where Nonna eats in Italy

Milan – Le Striatella di Nonna Mafalda
Milan is known for elegance and fashion, but Nonna loves it cozy and authentic. At Le Striatella di Nonna Mafalda, she finds exactly that: a small trattoria with a big heart, hand-pulled pasta made from old recipes, a ragù that’s simmered for hours, and an atmosphere that feels like an evening in Nonna’s kitchen.

 

Rome – Nannarella
In the winding alleys of Trastevere, Nannarella serves what Nonna teaches at home: homemade pasta and Roman classics like Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana, paired with a glass of local red wine and the feeling of sitting in a Roman family scene. Authentic, cozy, and always honestly delicious—just the way Nonna likes it.

 

Florence – Trattoria Giovanni
Nonna raves about this classic Florentine trattoria because it serves Tuscan cuisine with heart and tradition—from Bistecca alla Fiorentina to homemade pappardelle. For her, Florence isn’t complete without a rustic plate full of flavors, just like her own Nonna cooked in Tuscany.

 

Naples – La Locanda del Monacone
According to Nonna, Neapolitan cuisine is la vera anima d’Italia—the true soul of Italy—and that’s exactly what La Locanda del Monacone reflects: real Neapolitan classics, bold sauces, and the authentic spirit of the South. For Nonna, it’s a place where pizza, seafood, and pasta dance together like a Sunday family feast in Naples.

 

Palermo – Taverna Dei Canti
Sicily is vibrant and full of history, and that’s exactly what Nonna finds at Taverna Dei Canti. Here, Sicilian cuisine in its purest form meets a cozy atmosphere. Fresh fish, local pasta, and flavors of lemon, capers, and olive oil remind Nonna of real family recipes from Palermo.

 

Secret recipes from our LXmas grandmas

Airplane Cookies

Ingredients

• 250 g of butter
• 125 g powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg white
• 350 g flour
• Currant jelly (for filling)

How to Make Them

1. Place softened butter in a bowl and stir until creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar, vanilla sugar, and salt; mix well.
3. Incorporate the egg white.
4. Add flour and knead into a smooth dough.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes—or overnight for best results.
6. Roll out to about 3 mm thick and cut into airplane shapes.
7. Bake at 200°C (about 390°F) for 6–8 minutes.
8. While still warm, spread with currant jelly and sandwich together.
9. Finish with a festive red nose.

Tip: Crisp, delicate, and full of love—our airplane “Spitzbuben” cookies are a highlight for anyone who loves to travel. The red nose gives them that perfect holiday look.

 

Nonna’s Perfect Sugo

Ingredients

• 1 kg ripe tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• Olive oil
• Fresh basil
• 1 SWISS chocolate square
• Salt to taste

How to Make It

1. Blanch and peel the tomatoes.
2. Crush them gently.
3. Chop the onion finely.
4. Heat olive oil and sauté the onion until translucent.
5. Add garlic and tomatoes.
6. Simmer slowly for at least 1–2 hours—patience is key.
7. Tear fresh basil leaves and stir them in.
8. For that secret twist, melt in a piece of SWISS chocolate.

Result: A sauce that whispers of family kitchens and Sunday gatherings. Rich, velvety, and kissed with sweetness.

 

Did You Know?

In 2025, Italian cuisine was officially recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage—not for individual dishes, but for its cultural significance: family recipes, traditional techniques, and regional diversity. That’s the spirit Nonna seeks in every one of these restaurants: authenticity, history, and flavors that connect generations.