Osteria Della Colombina - Garibaldi

There are a few of these atractions in the countryside area of Garibaldi in the process of creating new sources of income to the families in the region. Osteria Della Colombina became probably the most succesfull of those initiatives. It was certainly one of the best Italian meals that I have ever had, really tasteful and original.

This place is very special. It's a farm basically in the middle of nowhere that serves the most wonderful lunch every Saturday. Donna Odete and her daughters cook with produce from the farm only (something might be from the neighbours), using traditional Italian recipes and old fashioned methods. The result is basically a huge amount of food that will make you beyond happy. I'm a chef and this is one of the best meals that I have had in Brazil. They also serve homemade grappa as an aperitif, homemade wine grape juice with the food and homemade limoncello as a digestif. The restaurant is located in an old basement that has been decorated in the most beautiful way. Before the lunch we participated in a colombina workshop. Basically Donna Odete teaches you how to bake a colombina the symbol of the restaurant. It's something that she learned as a child when the family couldn't afford to buy toys. The experience is very memorable and beautiful. It's worth participating even if you speak only poor Portuguese. It's essential to make a reservation (remember to mention that you want to do the workshop too) by e mail/phone. Note that the lunch is only served once per week and that they don't take credit cards. The meal workshop was 70 R$ not including drinks SUPER good value!!

The talented family that runs this picturesque countryside restaurant out of their rustic, antique-filled basement knows what they are doing. No menus here; just a delicious multi-course feast so you can relax and enjoy everything from fried polenta to hearty cappelletti to tomato-inflected gnocchi to brisket with scrumptious carrots and potatoes to savory chicken to creamy vanilla ice cream with fresh blackberries. The very reasonably priced meal doesn’t end there. You also have the chance to meet the sweet and friendly hostess and waitstaff that will tell you about the family’s commitment to maintaining their connections to their native Italy. This lunch was well worth the 15-minute trip up windy roads from Garibaldi. It was an absolute highlight from our trip to the state of Rio Grande!

This place is very special. It's a farm basically in the middle of nowhere that serves the most wonderful lunch every Saturday. Donna Odete and her daughters cook with produce from the farm only (something might be from the neighbours), using traditional Italian recipes and old fashioned methods. The result is basically a huge amount of food that will make you beyond happy. I'm a chef and this is one of the best meals that I have had in Brazil. They also serve homemade grappa as an aperitif, homemade wine grape juice with the food and homemade limoncello as a digestif. The restaurant is located in an old basement that has been decorated in the most beautiful way. Before the lunch we participated in a colombina workshop. Basically Donna Odete teaches you how to bake a colombina the symbol of the restaurant. It's something that she learned as a child when the family couldn't afford to buy toys. The experience is very memorable and beautiful. It's worth participating even if you speak only poor Portuguese. It's essential to make a reservation (remember to mention that you want to do the workshop too) by e mail/phone. Note that the lunch is only served once per week and that they don't take credit cards. The meal workshop was 70 R$ not including drinks SUPER good value!!

This was the food highlight from our 4-day trip to Bento Gonçalves. We have been to all the other best rated restaurants in the region and although the food was extremely good in the other ones, nothing was quite like this one. We felt that everything here was made with love and the guests are all served by the family with extreme joy and kindness. We left the place after a 2-hour feast feeling extremely happy. Be sure to make reservations, since it is served by appointment only.