The Old Town Square in Toruń, surrounded by Gothic townhouses, provides the perfect backdrop for romantic elation over Italian specialties. It is here that you will find Autentica Restaurant & Cocktail BAR - a place that, not without reason, bears the word 'authentic' in its name. The restaurant is located in a historic building at number 25, where wealthy Hanseatic merchants once lived. According to local legend, in the 16th century an Italian merchant fell in love with the daughter of a Torun patrician, and to win her heart he brought the best chefs from Florence to the city. Today, Autentica continues this romantic tradition, serving dishes prepared according to original recipes from the Tuscan region. Particularly recommended are the handmade ravioli with truffles and the tiramisu prepared in front of guests' eyes. The restaurant is also famous for its cocktails inspired by Italian classics such as Negroni and Aperol Spritz, but in original versions with the addition of local ingredients, such as syrup made from Toronto gingerbread.

Just a few steps away, at Rynek Staromiejski 22, is Bread and Wine Restaurant Toruń - a place that combines Italian simplicity with sophistication. The restaurant is decorated in a rustic style, with original brick walls that remember medieval times. As the urban anecdote goes, during the renovation a fragment of a medieval oven was discovered here, in which authentic Italian focaccia bread is now baked. The restaurant specializes in wines from small, family-owned vineyards from different regions of Italy, offering more than 50 different labels. A sommelier helps select the perfect wine for each course, making dinner an unforgettable experience for couples. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always count on fresh pasta and risotto prepared with products brought directly from Italian suppliers. A particularly romantic feature is the opportunity to reserve a table in the small alcove, where, according to legend, lovers from rival merchant families used to meet secretly.

A little further down the street, at 24 Lazienna Street, is a real gem - La Nonna Siciliana. This small restaurant is run by a family that moved to Toruń from Sicily more than 15 years ago. The interior is decorated with authentic family heirlooms and photos from Palermo, and the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. The eponymous 'Nonna' (grandmother) is an almost mythical figure - her image adorns the walls, and her recipes form the basis of the menu. The restaurant's specialties are arancini - Sicilian rice balls with various fillings - and pasta alla Norma with eggplant and ricotta. An interesting fact is that the owners grow some herbs in their own garden at the back of the restaurant, which provides a unique aroma to the dishes. The place is extremely intimate - it has only 7 tables, so reservations are almost a necessity. For couples, there is a special 'Amore Siciliano' tasting menu, which takes guests on a culinary journey through the island's most important flavors.

Leaving the inner center, but remaining within the medieval walls, it is worth discovering the two locations of Stare Metropolis - at 26 Lazienna Street and 28 Podmurna Street. These twin restaurants, operating in Toruń for more than two decades, are living proof of how Italian cuisine has established itself in the Copernicus city. Metropolis on Lazienna Street is housed in a 14th-century building, where, according to accounts, an Italian astrologer who collaborated with Copernicus lived. The restaurant impresses with an interior with original Gothic vaults and arches, which were discovered during renovations in the 1990s. The restaurant's specialties are black spaghetti dyed with natural squid ink and green tagliatelle with spinach - both made on site according to traditional methods. Metropolis on Podmurna Street, on the other hand, boasts a charming patio where you can enjoy a meal under a starry sky in the summer. This location specializes in dishes from the Emilia-Romagna region, serving delicious tortellini and lasagna. Interestingly, the chef travels to Italy every year to hone his skills and bring back new inspiration. The two restaurants share a wine cellar, where bottles from Italy's finest vineyards are stored, some dating as far back as the 1980s.

A little farther from the center, at 12 Wysoka Street, is GRANDE - Pizza & Pasta - a place that has won the hearts of Torunians with its authentic Neapolitan pizza. The restaurant is housed in a revitalized 19th century building, where there used to be a craftsman's workshop. The owners have reverently restored the interior, preserving the original architectural elements and combining them with Italian design. At the heart of the restaurant is a huge wood-fired oven, specially imported from Naples, which reaches temperatures of over 480 degrees Celsius, allowing the pizza to bake for just 90 seconds. The pizza chef received an apprenticeship with the masters from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana and was certified to make authentic Neapolitan pizza. The dough is aged for 48 hours, which gives it its characteristic lightness and fluffiness. Particularly recommended is the Margherita DOP pizza, prepared exclusively with certified ingredients from the Campania region. For couples, there is a special offer of 'Pizza for Lovers' in the shape of a heart, with customizable toppings.

At 49 Targowa Street is Maestria Art of Pizza, which approaches the preparation of Italian specialties with true artistic passion. The restaurant is located in a modern building, but its interior has been designed to resemble a traditional Italian trattoria. The walls are decorated with reproductions of works by Italian Renaissance masters, and classical Italian music can be heard in the background. The restaurant is famous for its Roman-style pizzas - thin and crispy, baked on a stone top. The chef experiments with different types of flour, including spelt flour and buckwheat, creating unique flavor combinations. Maestria also offers pizza-making workshops for couples, which can be a great idea for an unusual date. During such classes, you can not only learn how to prepare authentic Italian dough, but also learn the history of pizza and the secrets of selecting ingredients. The restaurant works with local producers, from whom it sources fresh vegetables and herbs, which further enhances the quality of the dishes served.

Beyond the historic center of Toruń, in the city's newer neighborhoods, you can also find exceptional Italian restaurants that impress with their authenticity and innovative approach to tradition. The Fine Arts Estate, at 6/98 Broniewskiego Street, is home to Azzurro, a restaurant whose name (meaning 'blue' in Italian) alludes to the colors of the sky over the Adriatic Sea. The restaurant was founded by a married couple who lived in the Marche region of Italy for a decade. The restaurant's interior is decorated with authentic souvenirs brought from Italy, including ceramics from Deruta and hand-painted plates from Positano. Azzurro specializes in seafood dishes, which are delivered twice a week directly from the fish markets of Venice. Particularly recommended are the seafood risotto and the spaghetti alle vongole with clams. Interestingly, the restaurant organizes periodic regional evenings, during which specialties from different corners of Italy, from Piedmont to Sicily, are presented. For couples, there is a special tasting menu with a selection of wines to go with each dish.

At 176 Szosa Chełmińska Street is Azzurro Włoskie Bistro - a sister restaurant of the aforementioned Azzurro, but with a slightly more casual character. The restaurant is decorated in the style of a modern Italian bistro, with an open kitchen where guests can watch the food preparation process. The menu focuses on simple but distinctive Italian dishes, such as bruschetta, carpaccio and various types of antipasti. Of particular interest is the range of wines from small, family-owned vineyards, often unavailable at other restaurants. The bistro is famous for organizing wine tastings led by certified sommeliers, which can be a great idea for an original date. In addition, on summer evenings there are screenings of classic Italian films on the terrace, accompanied by wine and snacks.

The list of Torun's Italian gems can't miss Italian Pantry at 55B Żwirki i Wigury Street. It is not a typical restaurant, but a deli combined with a small catering space where you can taste authentic Italian products. The place is run by an enthusiast of Italian culture, who regularly travels through Italy in search of unique products. At the Italian Pantry you can buy handmade pastas, oils from different regions of Italy, traditional cured meats, cheeses and wines from small vineyards. Particularly valuable are products with DOP and IGP certificates, guaranteeing their authenticity and highest quality. For couples, an interesting proposition may be to prepare a picnic basket with Italian specialties, which can be taken on a romantic walk along Toruń's Vistula boulevards or to one of the parks. The owner is happy to advise on composing sets of products that best harmonize with each other.

Last, but equally noteworthy, is GRANDE - Pizza & Pasta at 12 Wysoka St. This restaurant stands out from other Italian restaurants in Torun in that it offers dishes inspired by the cuisine of different regions of Italy, from north to south. The chef, who has served internships in restaurants from Milan to Palermo, prepares both classic dishes and their modern interpretations. The menu features such specialties as ossobuco alla milanese, saltimbocca alla romana and Sicilian caponata. The restaurant also has an impressive wine list, including both well-known appellations and discoveries from Italy's lesser-known wine regions. For couples, there is a special offer of a candlelit tasting dinner, during which miniature versions of the restaurant's flagship dishes are served, allowing for a culinary journey through all of Italy in one evening.

All in all, Torun offers an incredibly rich and diverse scene of Italian restaurants that can provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic date. From traditional pizzerias to sophisticated restaurants to intimate bistros, every couple will find a place to suit their tastes and expectations. Combining the Italian passion for food with the magical atmosphere of the city of Copernicus creates a unique experience that will remain in the lovers' memories for a long time.