Carbonara Festival Montevarchi

When Rome meets the Valdarno

The Carbonara Festival is the Montevarchi stop of a travelling gastronomic tour that crosses Italy, bringing the flavours, aromas, and traditions of authentic Roman cuisine everywhere. After stopping in cities like Aprilia and Reggio Calabria, the food village arrives in the heart of Tuscany, in Piazza Varchi in Montevarchi, in the province of Arezzo, transforming the historic centre into a corner of Rome for an entire weekend.

A journey through traditional Capitoline dishes

The absolute star is naturally the carbonara, celebrated in all its variations: from the original recipe—proudly defended with only eggs, guanciale, pecorino, and pepper—to more creative versions. Alongside it, the great classics of Roman cuisine:

• First courses: pasta cacio e pepe, pasta all'amatriciana
• Main courses: grilled lamb chops (abbacchio scottadito), Roman-style tripe, porchetta d'Ariccia
• Specialties: Jewish-style artichokes (carciofo alla giudia), supplì, original Roman pinsa in eight versions
• Desserts: maritozzi with whipped cream, doughnuts, and fritters

All dishes are also available for takeaway. Special attention is paid to inclusivity at the table: vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available, with the latter prepared in dedicated mobile kitchens to ensure guest safety.

Music, stornelli, and Roman atmosphere

The Carbonara Festival is not just about good food: every stop is a complete experience made of culture, performance, and entertainment for all ages. In Montevarchi, evenings are accompanied by DJ sets, timeless Roman stornelli, and live Italian music, while Sunday morning is dedicated to entertainment for children.

A free event in the heart of Montevarchi

Admission is completely free. Piazza Varchi, the city's living room, is the ideal setting for a convivial event that combines quality gastronomy and socialising, in a tribute to Italian cuisine recognised by UNESCO in 2025 as intangible cultural heritage.