TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Behind the glittering canals of Venice, there lies an ancient city named Padua that has been seeing a spike in global attention due to its exceptional culinary achievements. Le Calandre, a family restaurant in the city center, has just been crowned as the best restaurant in the world by the World Culinary Awards 2025.
This achievement is not merely a coincidence. As reported by elitetraveler, Le Calandre is a restaurant in Sarmeola di Rubano, near Padua, Italy, which was established in 1981. The restaurant was later taken over by the owner’s son, Massimiliano Alajmo, in 1994. In 2003, chef Massimiliano successfully obtained three Michelin stars for Le Calandre, making him the youngest chef to receive this accolade at that time.
The dining room, designed by the Alajmo brothers, creates a multi-sensory experience, highlighting Massimiliano’s delightful cuisine. Lightness, depth of flavor, and fluidity form the foundation of Max’s cuisine, embodying a philosophy that makes every dish feel like a tasteful poem.
Their menu tastings are offered in three variations – three, four, or five menus with standard options or seasonal editions named ‘Max’ and ‘Raf’, all crafted to blend classic Italian flavors with light yet deeply impactful innovative touches.
According to TimeOut, La Calandre is one of three Alajmo restaurants in Padua, a lesser-known city in northern Italy. Adjacent to Venice and is home to some captivating architecture, the city is often overlooked by tourists.
Padua’s Renaissance architecture and its second-oldest university campus in Italy, give a nostalgic atmosphere to the town, like a living time capsule.
Where to Go in Padua
Some places to visit in Padua include the UNESCO-recognized Urbs Picta site in 2021, Padua Botanical Garden, Basilica of Saint Anthony, Palazzo della Ragione and Salone, as reported by Tourism Padova.
Additionally, Padua also houses the ‘Cafe Without Doors’ or Caffè Pedrocchi, a historic cafe that used to be open day and night from its conception in 1831 until 1916. The place is the work of architect Giuseppe Jappelli and Pedrocchino, an elegant neo-Gothic building which serves as a meeting place for students, artists, writers, and patriots.
Travelers can also explore Padua’s 500-year-old history by biking, walking, or taking a boat along its walls. Padua is also home to the Padova Astronomical Observatory, commonly known as the Specola Tower or Galileo Tower, as it is often mistaken for the place where the famous Pisan scientist made his extraordinary astronomical discoveries.
Putri Az zahra Suherman contributed to the writing of this article.
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Dining and Cooking