I Rodella

The story

I Rodella Deruta: Michelin-Recommended Umbrian Fine Dining

Since 2005, the Rodella family — Samuele, Stefano, and Andrea — has been welcoming guests to their restaurant in Deruta, a town famed for its ceramic tradition just 15 minutes from Perugia. They named it I Rodella, they explain, “as was done in the old days,” with the family name itself, because the core of their philosophy is making guests feel at home. That warmth, paired with serious technique, earned them a Michelin recommendation in 2023.

Contemporary Umbrian cuisine

I Rodella describes its cooking as “cucina contemporanea” — rooted in Umbrian tradition but open to creative expression. The kitchen combines the best local ingredients with exceptional products from beyond the region, because, as they put it, limiting themselves to only local sources “could represent a limit to the imagination of our chefs and the palate of our guests.” The result is a menu that balances authenticity with surprise.

The dining experience

Guests choose between the elegant indoor dining room and a summer garden shaded by a patio. The atmosphere is described as romantic and serene — ideal for a slow dinner. The wine list, constantly evolving, pairs regional, national, and international bottles with the food.

Two tasting paths are offered: the four-course “Elemento” (€65) and the seven-course “Identità” (€85). The à la carte menu changes with the seasons, featuring dishes such as smoked quail sherry with crispy artichoke and savory zabaglione, spaghetti alla liquirizia with wild salmon and endive, or kangaroo fillet with balsamic, almond butter, and spring onion. Pasta, bread, and desserts are all made in-house.

A family affair

Beyond the restaurant, the Rodella brothers run L’Antico Forziere, a hospitality venture, and produce artisanal panettoni and colombe using only natural leavening, certified flours, and 100% Italian honey. They also host private events and ceremonies in a 16th-century hall, and offer personalized catering.

I Rodella is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, closed on Mondays.