27/10/2025: Let's start with the premise that I returned after years—about twenty years—since Vicolo della Neve was run by the legendary Don Matteo Bonavita: the famous rested pasta e fagioli was a thing of the past! 😄
I returned last night, driven by a bit of nostalgia but also by curiosity to see how this historic restaurant in the center of Salerno has changed.
I must say: hats off to those who continue running it today. The quality of the food is truly excellent, with traditional Salerno dishes cooked with respect and attention. Of course, the pasta e fagioli is still good—but that was really something at Don Matteo 😉
The restaurant, located in the heart of the historic center, retains its charm with stone arches and an authentic atmosphere, but it has also been updated: today it's more refined, brighter, and the feel is that of a restaurant that looks forward without forgetting its roots.
A place absolutely worth a visit, both for those passing through Salerno and those staying there. It's one of those places where you can savor authentic Salerno cuisine—from peperone mbuttunato to eggplant parmigiana, to pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven.
If I really had to find a small flaw, I'd say it as an encouragement: the service. Perhaps a little more warmth, that family-style warmth that was Don Matteo's signature, would make the experience even more perfect.
In any case, it's nice to know that Vicolo della Neve continues its history with respect and passion. And when you return, you can still find a bit of that old-fashioned magic.
A final gem in Salerno dialect:
"At Don Matteo's, they don't make you a coffee..."
Unfortunately, the tradition is no longer maintained, and those who have been in Salerno for a long time would be able to explain to you that this was the true custom!
27/10/2025: I was in Salerno for a short trip, and along with a married couple who live in this beautiful city, I had the pleasure of dining at Vicolo Della Neve. The restaurant retains intact parts of an older structure, with beautiful frescoes on the walls, including a painting by Clemente Tarufi (a talented Salerno painter from the first half of the 20th century), which, among other works, depicts the restaurant's little mascot, the legendary parrot "Petruccio." The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, while the cuisine is typical of Salerno, with traditional pizzas and (not overly) simple dishes that, however, stand out for the incredible quality of the ingredients and the chef's mastery of combining them. The staff, then, is an added bonus, capable of conveying a sense of joy and camaraderie. Pasta with tomato sauce and beans (an incredible first course), meatballs, and cinguetto (a calzone filled with egg, mozzarella, and salami) were just a few of our choices that evening, and—believe me—I couldn't tell you which was the best. I can only thank the lovely couple who made this unforgettable experience possible and assure you that I'll be back soon.
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