Italian Historic Venue, since 1476
Known since 1476 as the “Locanda delle Due Spade,” the establishment was renamed “Torquato Tasso Caffè e Bottiglieria” in 1681, when a statue was erected nearby in honor of the great poet Torquato Tasso.
In 1849, at the height of the Italian Wars of Independence, the café was struck by an Austrian cannonball. A decade later, in 1859, it became the meeting place for the volunteers from Bergamo preparing to follow Garibaldi in the legendary Expedition of the Thousand.
During the late 19th century, the venue shed its austere medieval appearance and was elegantly refurbished in the neoclassical style. With this transformation, its name also changed, giving way to the one it still bears today: Caffè del Tasso.
“The most beautiful thing about our story is that it all happened by chance.”
Marcello Menalli
Since 1989, Caffè del Tasso has been managed by the Menalli family, a story that began by chance during a family trip to Bergamo. Our family is originally from Milan, and at the time, Bergamo was far from being the tourist destination it is today. During that visit, we discovered that the café was for sale. Without telling anyone in the family – and without even setting foot inside – our father, Giuseppe, placed a down payment on the purchase within a week.
It took time and patience before tourists began to take notice of Città Alta, but little by little, everything started to fall into place.
Today, after more than 35 years, we continue to nurture our passion for this historic venue in Bergamo. Caffè del Tasso has preserved its historical and cultural identity while expanding its food and wine offerings, carefully selecting high-quality products.
Thanks to the dedication and passion of the Menalli family, Caffè del Tasso has remained a landmark for both the local community and visitors from around the world. It is not only a gathering place for artists, intellectuals, and food lovers but also a symbol of tradition and refinement, contributing to its lasting charm and esteemed reputation.
Caffè del Tasso is a proud member of the “Locali Storici d’Italia”, an association that brings together around 200 of Italy’s most historic and prestigious hotels, restaurants, pastry shops, and literary cafés – places that have played a pivotal role in Italy’s history, either as venues of significant events or as favorite haunts of illustrious figures.
