Bar Al Centrale in Moltrasio is an authentic and welcoming village café... In the heart of Moltrasio, you’ll find Bar Al Centrale nestled in the shadow of the Chiesa di Santi Martino e Agata and the town hall of Moltrasio. Conveniently located on Piazza San Martino -just as the name suggests- the little square is really just a widening of the narrow road that winds like an outer curve through and around Moltrasio. It forms a sort of balcony with a beautiful view over Lake Como and the houses and villas of Moltrasio and Carate Urio below. From here, you can also take a long staircase that leads all the way down to the shores of Lake Como—perfect if you’re planning to catch the ferry.
On the charming little square, you’ll find locals chatting with one another, tourists snapping photos, and a few elderly folks sitting on the benches, watching the day go by—or simply waiting for the next church service at the Chiesa di Santi Martino e Agata.
Bar Centrale is located in a charming ochre-colored building on the steps of the square. At the front, there is a small porch where you can find some shade in the summer or, in the winter, a bench with blankets under the heat lamp. On the opposite side, on the balcony, tables and chairs are set up where you can find a spot to enjoy the delicious offerings of Bar Al Centrale.
Does the vibe inside fit just as well as it does outside? We have often gone for aperitifs at Al Bar Centrale and truly appreciate this spot. Here, it’s all about cucina e cantina. Food and wine are served -from sunrise to sunset, so to speak: breakfast and coffee, an aperitif with a tagliere (a platter of cured meats and cheeses), lunch with salads, another round of aperitifs, dinner with some pasta, and when the sun goes down, a digestif to finish.
A few months ago, we were here searching for the starting point of the Via Verde hike today, Bar Al Centrale is our go-to breakfast spot.
We don’t have to walk far from our apartment, Como Lake Amazing View, to get to breakfast. A few suggestions are chalked on the blackboard: avocado, bacon and eggs, and yogurt. Yes—definitely a bit more than the typical Italian breakfast. We find a table for the four of us. The aroma of fresh coffee hits us immediately.
Inside, it’s not very spacious. The rough wooden tables are placed close together. The bar is filled with freshly baked cakes and pastries. Imaginative wallpaper, olive-green walls, and atmospheric lighting create a cozy ambiance. On the walls, you’ll find some knickknacks, this week’s horoscope, and plenty of wine bottles. Of course, Al Bar Centrale is also an enoteca where you can enjoy a good glass of wine.
A friendly lady brings us the menu. We order some bacon and eggs, an avocado toast, bread with jam, and for the kids, a slice of cake. The fresh cake is delicious. The breakfast is tasty and well-prepared. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Bar Al Centrale is many things. An enoteca, but also a village café. A meeting place for locals. A moment of enjoyment for tourists. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or an aperitif. A bit of live music to go with it. In short, a place where anyone who loves Italian hospitality and authenticity can have their heart filled.
We quickly pay a visit to the church. A lively old lady takes Bas and Wolf by the hand and leads them to the altar. With their mouths open, the two brothers look at the woman as she introduces Jesus to them in Italian. And we watch amusedly!
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