A highly recommended destination restaurant in the Reggio Emilia Apennines, combining polished local cooking, a beautifully restored stone setting, warm service, and unusually accessible menu prices, though parking is limited and one older service/value complaint remains.
Locanda Piera delivers excellent food quality anchored by fresh pasta and game dishes, paired with notably attentive service that consistently earns praise. The restored mountain inn setting with fireplace and soft lighting creates genuine destination appeal. Strong consistency across courses keeps it just short of the very top tier, where only flawless execution resides.
Locanda Piera is the sort of mountain inn that rewards a deliberate detour: a restored stone-and-wood setting, warm hospitality and a fireplace-led atmosphere that reviewers repeatedly describe as elegant without losing its homely character. One diner summed up the appeal as feeling like a small culinary gem in the Reggio Emilia mountains, while another praised the staff for being both quick and knowledgeable. Reservations are sensible, and parking can be tight. The cooking is rooted in Emilia and the Apennines but gives tradition a polished nudge rather than leaving it untouched. Handmade pasta, gnocco fritto, cured meats, rabbit, venison, wild boar, porcini and homemade desserts form the backbone, with creative combinations and seasonal specials adding interest. Portions are generally described as generous, and current menu pricing—roughly €28-35 for a three-course meal before drinks—makes the experience feel more accessible than the refined setting might suggest. Meat and game are the stars, so adventurous diners will have more fun than strict vegans. Families can manage here, particularly with familiar choices such as gnocco fritto, potato gnocchi, tortelli, vegetable sides, roast rabbit and homemade desserts, though there is no dedicated children's menu shown. The menu is not built around plain children's comfort food, and its game-heavy character may not suit picky eaters; ask ahead if younger diners need simple adaptations.
Area vibe: Quiet, rural mountain area known for nature, hiking, and traditional alpine cuisine.
Safety: Generally safe but remote with limited evening lighting and low footfall after dark.
What's nearby: Near Appennino Tosco-Emiliano regional park, mountain trails, small villages, and provincial roads.
The strongest choices lean toward gnocco fritto, handmade pasta with game ragù, and roast rabbit, with most signature dishes priced between €10 and €14.
This is a destination meal that rewards planning, especially because parking is limited and the menu centers on meat and game.
Expect a restored mountain inn where fireplace warmth, historic details, and polished regional cooking make the setting part of the occasion.