The story
On the outskirts of Parma, in the quiet suburb of Gaione, Trattoria Antichi Sapori is a contemporary trattoria where tradition meets experimentation. The restaurant’s name—"Antichi Sapori," or "Ancient Flavours"—hints at its roots, yet the kitchen follows the rhythm of the seasons, selecting ingredients with care to create dishes that are both familiar and surprising. This approach earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2026, recognising good quality, good value cooking.
Chef Davide Censi’s passion for cooking comes from his mother, Teresa. After earning his diploma from the hotel school G. Magnaghi in Salsomaggiore Terme in 1989, he trained in various local establishments—Parma Rotta, Il Ducale, the City in Casalmaggiore, and the Hotel Savoia in San Martino di Castrozza. In 1995 he returned to Parma and took over Trattoria Antichi Sapori, which he still runs today alongside his team. In 2017 he joined the Parma Quality Restaurants consortium, a group dedicated to promoting the culinary traditions of the Parma area.
Davide Censi, together with Makoto Abe and Gloria Boraschi, designs a menu that highlights fresh, high-quality seasonal produce. Many vegetables come from the restaurant’s own garden. The antipasti include a Delizia di Parma of prosciutto, coppa, salame, culaccia and pancetta, alongside a giardiniera of pickled vegetables. Among the primi, the tortelli d’erbetta (stuffed pasta with Swiss chard and ricotta) is a classic Emilian staple, while the pappardella filled with zucchini, summer black truffle and sweet-and-sour red onion shows the kitchen's inventive side. A risotto mantecato with plum cream, goat cheese and rue offers another modern take. Secondi range from a slow-roasted punta di vitello ripiena (stuffed veal brisket) with rosemary potatoes to a crispy chicken with spicy vinaigrette and green peppers. A tasting menu, Parma nel cuore, presents a curated selection of these dishes for €38.
The restaurant describes itself as a "vera trattoria contemporanea" – a true contemporary trattoria that respects Emilian heritage while allowing room for creativity. The dining room is welcoming, with outdoor seating available. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are explicitly marked on the menu, and the kitchen accommodates allergies with advance notice. Whether you come for a weekday lunch or a Sunday dinner, the cooking is grounded in the ingredients of the Emilia-Romagna region, yet never predictable. The Bib Gourmand recognition confirms what locals already know: this is a place where honest, flavourful Emilian food is served with skill and warmth.
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