The Soul of the Place: Caius Gellius’s Opitergium

Gellius was founded in 2000 within a Roman archaeological site, one of the most beautiful in the Veneto region. Visitors can admire the ruins of a road, a city gate, and a necropolis with remains from the 1st century BC, the era of the great Emperor Augustus, to the 5th century AD.

It is this marvel that Chef Alessandro Breda fell in love with, after significant experiences in London, Paris, Gualtiero Marchesi, and Enoteca Pinchiorri in Italy. Breda particularly fell in love with the funerary monument of Caius Gellius, a prominent magistrate of ancient Opitergium, to whom he dedicated the name of his dream restaurant, as a tribute to the reconnection with the deepest roots of the region.

From a gateway to Roman civilization to a prison, Gellivs embodies many souls, a legacy we carry forward in our dishes and in our idea of ​​hospitality.

(Alessandro Breda)

The Scenography: Between Archaeology and Design

Thanks to a dramatic three-level panoramic structure and transparent glass flooring, Gellivs guests can enjoy the unique experience of dining immersed in a Roman road (the decumanus), a monumental gate, and the remains of a necropolis, feeling part of a historical continuum spanning two millennia.

The thick exposed brick walls and rough Roman stone are balanced by steel inserts, resin floors, and large glass surfaces, creating a refined atmosphere that, by contrast, enhances the solemnity of the ruins.

Chef Alessandro Breda: An Architect of Taste

Chef Alessandro Breda, a reputable Michelin star since 2005, has crafted a cuisine that perfectly reflects the soul of ancient Rome: solid, tangible beauty, and deeply rooted in the land.

Chef Breda was among the first visionary chefs and entrepreneurs to elevate traditional cuisine to a higher level, using meticulous techniques that emphasize short cooking times, the careful use of fats, and the utmost freshness of ingredients, guaranteed by daily commissioned shopping at the fish, fruit, and vegetable markets to ensure the finest ingredients.

Menu Philosophy

The menu strikes a balance between the authenticity of the Veneto region and creative lightness, offering three tasting menus—From Yesterday to Today, inspired by the chef’s gastronomic history; Spazio Libero; Mare in Guscio; and Impronte Invernali—and the freedom of à la carte menu.

The menu features all of the chef’s most famous signature dishes, some of which have been on the menu for as long as 15 years, such as the celebrated “creamy egg” whose pairings change seasonally; quail coada soup; seafood rice with cream of scampi; and sea bass marinated in spirulina and smoked potatoes.

The wine list, with over 800 labels, is monumental, with an impressive depth of sparkling wines (Champagne and Metodo Classico) and the great reds of the Triveneto region.

The Exclusive Table: A Stage on Eternity

Gellivs’s true treasure is the Exclusive Table, located in a privileged position overlooking the most evocative section of the excavations, with the ancient Roman road, offering absolute intimacy.

Dining in this corner means feeling as if Roman history is there, within reach, almost whispering ancient secrets while enjoying a glass of vintage wine.

The Terrace and Spazio Gellivs

The Gellius world also includes Terrazza Gellius, the bistro and cocktail bar overlooking Oderzo’s main square, and Spazio Gellius, the venue for events and private dinners (by reservation) located on the lower level of the restaurant with a view of the archaeological site.

A guarantee of quality, honesty, and passionate respect for tradition, perfectly reflecting Alessandro Breda’s great and generous spirit, Gellivs is truly a unique place in the Italian gastronomic landscape, the custodian of an exceptional historical legacy.

The Secret

The heart of the restaurant is the funerary monument of Caius Gellius, a figure with a fascinating history, a slave who was granted the status of liberto, or “free man,” for his merits, as was the custom in Roman times. A story reminiscent of that of Proximo, the legendary character played by Oliver Reed in the film Gladiator, set in 180 BC.

Useful Info

Gellivs
Via Calle Pretoria 6
31046 Oderzo, Treviso
Tel. +39 0422 713577

Tasting menus: from €120, excluding wines
Appetizers: from €25
First courses: from €28
Second courses: from €40