Antica Osteria del Mirasole

The story

Antica Osteria del Mirasole, San Giovanni in Persiceto: Emilian Tradition

A Rustic Osteria Born in 1989

In the small Emilian town of San Giovanni in Persiceto, Antica Osteria del Mirasole opened its doors in 1989. Chef and owner Franco Cimini was just twenty-two when he set out to create a place that felt both rustic and ancient—a space that would mirror the honest, unfussy cooking he wanted to share. He took inspiration from an earlier osteria that had stood nearby during the war, and over the years he filled his own rooms with vintage paintings, tools, and knick‑knacks. The result is a warm, welcoming interior where a stone fireplace, burning wood that smells of the forest, becomes the heart of the dining room.

The Philosophy of Simplicity

Franco’s cooking is rooted in the Emilian tradition of letting exceptional ingredients speak for themselves. He believes that a great raw material needs little more than simple enhancement. This approach earned the restaurant a Michelin recommendation, and in 2020 it was named the best trattoria in Italy—a recognition that confirms the power of honest, region‑focused cooking.

Signature Products from the Kitchen

Two products have become synonymous with the osteria. The Tortellini alla Panna d’Affioramento Mirasole® are made with cream that rises naturally from fresh milk, a technique that comes from a family of master cheesemakers with over a century of history. The Ragù di Cortile di Franco Cimini is a courtyard meat sauce born from the chef’s refusal to waste anything—a poor‑man’s ragù that tells the story of farm life and the joy of sharing a simple, flavourful meal with loved ones. Both are available to buy online through the restaurant’s own bottega.

An Experience That Extends Overnight

After dinner, guests can stay in one of two rooms on the upper floor, reached by a magnificent 16th‑century spiral staircase. The inn offers a full Mirasole experience, including breakfast with local delicacies, a guided tour of a nearby Parmigiano Reggiano dairy, and a tasting of aged cheeses paired with Pignoletto from the family vineyard. It’s a way to live the entire supply chain—from pasture to table.

A Living Tradition

Antica Osteria del Mirasole remains a place where Emilian cuisine is celebrated in its purest form. The crackling fire, the handmade tortellini, and the quiet charm of the rooms all speak to a kitchen that respects the past while looking forward. Franco Cimini’s osteria is not a museum piece; it’s a living, breathing testament to the flavours of this land.