Carbonara Festival

Roman Cuisine Arrives in the Ideal City

Three full days to celebrate one of Italy's most beloved and debated dishes, and with it, the entire gastronomic tradition of the Capital. The Carbonara Festival chooses a completely unexpected setting: Piazza Ducale in Sabbioneta, the famous Renaissance Ideal City in the province of Mantua, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The architectural backdrops commissioned by Vespasiano Gonzaga serve as the stage for an event that focuses on taste, conviviality, and Roman cheerfulness.

A Menu That is a Journey to the Capital

The heart of the festival is, of course, carbonara, presented alongside other great classics of Roman cuisine: cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and gricia. But the menu goes far beyond first courses: you'll find coda alla vaccinara, trippa alla romana, polpette al sugo, abbacchio scottadito, fagioli con le cotiche, carciofi alla giudia, fiori di zucca, supplì, and filetto di baccalà. Roman-style pinsa in its many variations and puccia romana are also available, as are traditional desserts: bombe, ciambelle, maritozzi con la panna, and pangocciole. Vegetarian, vegan, and certified gluten-free options are also provided.

Atmosphere and Conviviality

In Sabbioneta, you can sit freely at the tables and benches set up in the square, without reservation, and all dishes are also available for takeaway at no extra cost. Accompanying the dishes are beer, cocktails, spritz, and wines from the Castelli Romani. The soundtrack is just right: Roman folk songs and live Italian music on Saturdays and Sundays, DJ sets on Friday evenings.

Why It's Worth the Trip

The Carbonara Festival combines two Italian excellences: popular Roman cuisine and one of Lombardy's most fascinating villages. A perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover Sabbioneta, stroll through the Ducal Palace, the Teatro all'Antica, and the Galleria degli Antichi, and then sit in the square for a perfectly made plate of carbonara.