It is difficult, for those who have not tried it, to describe the uniqueness of the panorama of La Terrazza Bar & Restaurant; not only for its view of the main monuments of Asolo, but above all because, from the first floor of the Albergo al Sole, you can watch, as if from the stage of a theater, the buzzy life that flows slowly in the main square of the village.

The village of Asolo, one of the most beautiful in Italy, is famous for having been, especially during the 16th century, one of the most important “literary salons”, whose history is intertwined with that of legendary romantic heroines: from Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, Jerusalem and Armenia, Lady of Asolo from 1489 who hosted great artists and men of letters at her court, including Giorgione, Lorenzo Lotto and Pietro Bembo, to the British writer and explorer Freya Stark, the actress Eleonora Duse and the writer Kuki Gallmann who inspired the film with Kim Basinger “Dreaming of Africa”.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the restaurant was run by 2 sisters, who became a point of reference for Asolo. Destiny wanted that 50 years later, we, once again 2 sisters, were the ones to keep the tradition alive.

(Elena and Silvia, owners)

The history of the Albergo al Sole is a girls’ one: in the first half of the 20th century, 2 sisters managed it, then the structure remained closed for 25 years until 1996, when again 2 sisters, Elena and Silvia, took over the management of the hotel after their father, Vittorino De Checchi, a brick industry entrepreneur, decided to buy and restore the structure, making it one of the most renowned luxury hotels in Italy.

Albergo al Sole was also the scene of the tormented love story between Eleonora Duse and the writer Gabriele D’Annunzio. The actress, in fact, used to stay in the hotel in the 1920s while the villa she purchased in Asolo was being completed. “Her” room, the 202, was then restored maintaining the same colours and original style of the time.

La Terrazza Bar & Restaurant is managed by Elena, an impeccable hostess passionate about good food, together with chef Enrico Villanova, with solid “starred” experiences behind him, who offers a tasty and essential cuisine that stands out for great care in the presentation of the dishes and a careful selection of the best seasonal products.

The menu, of meat and fish, vegetarian and vegan, offers beautiful and delicious dishes such as the Raw fish plateau, the Tartare of tuna, ricotta, peach nectarines and licorice, the Risotto with organic lemon and calamari, the Catch of the day with peas from Bolso del Grappa and mussels, to finish with The creme brulé with lavender and rosemary.

Very refined, like every detail of the Hotel, the mise en place that features colorful glasses handmade for the restaurant by the master glassmaker Massimo Lunardon and daily fresh flowers.

A paradise to be experienced from morning to night: the terrace, in fact, opens from the early hours of the morning, perfect for a breakfast with a view before a walk to discover the wonders of Asolo or a romantic candlelit dinner, letting yourself be spoiled by the warm welcome of Elena and Silvia.

And since 2020, the Terrazza Bar & Restaurant has added a new “treat”, the Dehor located in front of the hotel, perfect for an aperitif or a quick break.

The Secret

The renovation of the Hotel, which lasted 5 years, has brought to light not only the original decorations of the building, but also elements dating back to previous eras such as the suggestive 16th-century Grotta di Bacco, so called because the vault is frescoed with a portrait of a man with a flask in his hand. Here, romantic dinners are set up upon reservation (maximum 8 people).

Useful Info

La Terrazza Bar & Restaurant
Via Collegio 33
31011 Asolo, Treviso
Tel. +39 0423 951332

First courses: 12 — 15 euro
Second courses: 19 — 21 euro
Tasting menus: from 90 euro wine excluded
Aperitif in the Dehor: from 7 euro