Also known as ‘da Paolino’

Paolino is the owner of the historic bar that welcomes tourists and locals alike right beneath the village walls. It’s called La Gattabuia. Situated right next to the village gate, you can’t miss it, with its outdoor tables in both summer and winter and its green awnings always open. That’s because this little bar stands out for its strategic location, right opposite the tree-lined square (and the children’s playground… which, in my case, is of particular interest given my children’s ages!), but you’ll keep coming back for its timeless charm, for the chats you have whilst having a coffee, and for the friendliness of the staff.

‘Paolino’ is, in fact, joined by the ever-smiling Aurora and Farida. The café has been open since 1998, and Paolo is keen to emphasise that nothing inside has changed since then. Its vintage charm and old-world atmosphere have remained intact. It was only during the Covid pandemic that a large window overlooking the street was opened to allow customers to pick up pastries and coffee without entering the café, and this has remained in place ever since. The window lets you feel as though you’re ‘out on the street’ even when you’re sitting inside the bar, and allows you to chat from a distance with those popping in for a coffee. But the bar is famous above all for ‘il ciuchino’, a cocktail of their own invention, made with sparkling wine and Martini Bitter. On summer evenings, when people spend time in the square chatting, it’s an unmissable must-try… and the bar stays open even after dinner. There’s no doubt that the bar is a hub for the local community and for tourists looking for an authentic experience.

You should know that this is also one of the few bars where my children come on their own to order breakfast to take home when I want to stay in bed! It’s a luxury I can only treat myself to here in Suvereto, a peaceful village where I know the children will be warmly welcomed even at the bar to pick up a bag full of croissants to take home.

All you have to do is take a seat at a table, put your phone away and let yourself be enchanted by village life and the sound of the bells in the background!