Baretto — Restaurant in Bergamo

The restaurant is not bad, it is in a nice location, but it has an extremely unfair and deceptive policy towards customers. They have a menu with prices for dishes and drinks. When you sit down, they offer you a welcome cocktail, which is free everywhere and of course you expect it to be so. Then, without ordering, they bring you: water, a small appetizer like bruschetta and soup, as well as bread and butter. Since you didn't order them, you think you don't have to pay for them, but that's not the case. At the same time, no one tells you that you will have to pay for them. Even if you don't want them, you will still have to pay for them. Finally, when you have to pay the bill, it turns out that you will have to pay much more than you thought, since the above-mentioned things are included in the bill - two people pay about 20-30 euros on top, which they did not expect. I understand that these things also cost money, but tell the customer that they have to pay and ask if they want them. If you don't like this, then include them in the price of the dishes listed on the menu. That way, everyone can decide whether to sit down or not. It's clear to us all that there are no free things, but a stylish restaurant gives these things without asking for money for them, having calculated them in the price of the main dishes, etc. That way, the customer feels good because of the compliment and is aware of what he is paying for, and not being brought things he didn't order, only to then be asked for money for them. Only restaurants with pretensions do this, but without any cover. Apparently this one is like that. I wonder why it has a Michelin star - the food is not bad, but nothing special. The special is downright bad - the meat is tough. Apart from that, most of the staff is impolite, I even got the impression that they selectively treat customers well....

I am surprised this restaurant has a Michelin star. Out of the whole experience I only liked the stunning view and the fact that the girly waiters were as nice as possible. There were many things wrong: The first guy (probably a waiter) greets us rushly and rudely. We told him twice that we wanted to have lunch and he kept asking us to look at the tiny menu on the wall, in the blazing sun, instead of letting us sit down and bringing us a menu. Then he points us to a table of his choosing even if there were plenty of available and unreserved tables. We eventually changed the table to a shadier one. His suggested table was mostly in the blazing sun. The girls (waiters) were the only ones nice, even if they did not speak much English. I absolutely hated that they trick all their customers into buying their "welcome menu" as they call it. I will explain: The waiter suddenly appears with two kombucha drinks and crackers. She just puts them down on the table and says this is part of the welcome menu. She does not ask if we want it or not. She does not mention that it is NOT FREE. What is baffling is that they continued and brought some sort of tomato sauce and a tiny bite of ricotta.

We finally ordered the dishes we actually wanted and asked twice if the dishes have any gluten. They said no, maybe, I don't know. Guess what, they bring the dishes with a gravy on top that was NOT mentioned in the menu, plus it was thickened with flour!

The beef had no flavor, was under seasoned and lacking enjoyment.

In the end we just left with a bill of almost 90 Euro and super disappointed.

They did not even bother to ask why we left the dishes untouched, nor seemed to care.

Personally, I do NOT recommend this super expensive bad experience.

Go for the local places, with tasty food,...

My husband & i eat here at least once during our annual trip to bergamo in May. This is a more formal restaurant— not a pizzeria. It is lovely: elegant, full of atmosphere, beautifully decorated with jazz in the background and twinkle lights all about, setting a magical scene as you approach from either the (steep) scenic climb or the historic funicolare. They also have a shuttle /navette service — ask when you reserve. Their shuttle- car can pick you up at the bottom of the hill— not sure if this free or for a charge.

Reserve ahead for the best views! On weekends, there is an additional terrace in the funicolare bldg. views are spectacular

Lovely settings— China, glassware, & table. Very nice, attentive service. Food quality is very high. We have had fish dishes here— very fresh— and traditional casconcelli (excellent). They greet you with a nonalcoholic drink that they make (ours was a tasty, refreshing kombucha) and an amuse-bouche (this time, cold carrot-ginger soup). They accommodated our request for a mixed salad (one to share— a generous portion!). the whipped butter is an event in itself— bread was excellent. We’ve eaten inside and out, in good weather and bad. It’s a lovely experience either way! Views are beautiful from the terrace— if you get there before dinner, or can’t get a reservation, have aperativo instead and enjoy the view. Watch...