Osteria al Brindisi (more or less, more less than more) – the oldest tavern in the world

The Osteria al Brindisi, in Ferrara, is officially recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest tavern in the world. Dating back to 1435, it was once known as Hostaria del Chiucchiolino, a name rooted in the local dialect “ciuc”, meaning “drunk.” Over the centuries, its tables have welcomed some of Italy’s greatest minds and artists, including Benvenuto Cellini, Titian, Ludovico Ariosto, and Torquato Tasso. It’s said that Nicolaus Copernicus himself lived here while earning his university degree in Ferrara in 1503. In 1973, Osteria al Brindisi was honored by a visit from Karol Wojtyla (future Pope John Paul II) and Cardinal Wyszyński, celebrating the 500th anniversary of Copernicus’s birth. Whether you're here for a glass of local wine, a board of traditional local charcuterie or a dish of pumpkin “cappellacci” with meat ragù, Osteria al Brindisi offers more than a meal - it offers a journey through centuries of culture, conversation, and unforgettable stories.