Trattoria Bar Centrale e Locanda San Felice, rooms above the bar
Trattoria Bar Centrale e Locanda San Felice is a long-standing bar trattoria in the heart of San Felice del Benaco, Lombardy, with rooms on the upper floors. The cooking is traditional and prices are fair. It suits anyone wanting a simple bed in the village centre and a good table downstairs, less so anyone looking for hotel services.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Trattoria Bar Centrale e Locanda San Felice.
Where the Trattoria Bar Centrale e Locanda San Felice is
The Trattoria Bar Centrale e Locanda San Felice is on Via G. Zanardelli, in the centre of San Felice del Benaco, on Lake Garda. It is an unusual place. On the ground floor there is a historic bar-trattoria of the village, and the rooms are above it. It is not a hotel with a reception and services, but an inn with a table downstairs.
A person who knows the place well says the bar has been around for many years and that, despite changes of management, it has kept its original style. You can stop by for breakfast, a coffee or lunch. According to the listing, La Romantica beach, the Desenzano castle and Gardaland are nearby, but check with the property how to get around.
What the rooms are like
From the data I have, the rooms are air-conditioned and have a private bathroom, TV, electric kettle, wardrobe and parquet flooring. There is free Wi-Fi and an in-house bar. Some are quite large and suitable for families, and there are also connecting rooms.
An honest note. The reviews talk almost only about the bar, almost never about the rooms, and one person writes that the upper floor is now used more as a bar-restaurant. For me that is a good reason to write to the property and confirm availability before planning the trip around this place.
What to eat and what guests say
On Google the rating is 4.2 out of 5, with over a hundred reviews, and almost all of them talk about the food and the atmosphere, not the overnight stay. This is what comes up most.
- Traditional cooking. Many guests call it genuine and well cooked, with fresh local produce. Pumpkin tortellini, the cheese board, the cured meats and tiramisu are mentioned, and one person notes that the cured meats and cheeses can also be bought to take away.
- Fair prices. Several people write that you eat well without spending too much.
- Informal atmosphere. A family feel, clean and welcoming, suitable even for an aperitivo or a beer after dinner, with staff described as friendly.
What to know before booking
There are also negative opinions, few but useful. They concern mainly the restaurant and the way complaints are handled.
| Points in its favour | Worth keeping in mind |
|---|---|
| Village centre, with bar and trattoria under the rooms | Few reviews about the rooms |
| Traditional cooking at fair prices | Some criticism of the quality of certain dishes |
| Informal and welcoming atmosphere | Complaint handling seen as cold by some |
- Quality is not always consistent. One guest found the quality of a beef steak awful, and another noticed a strange smell from grilled vegetables. In both cases, they write, the owner did little beyond acknowledging the problem or not charging for the dish.
- Service at the bar. One customer says that when he asked for an aperitivo he was told the place is a restaurant, while a regular was eating and drinking at the counter. It is not the kind of welcome everyone expects.
- Evening activity. This is my own reflection, not a finding from the reviews. Staying above a bar in the village centre means expecting some noise in the evening.
Who the inn is for
I see it working well for anyone looking for a simple place to sleep, with dinner a few steps away and without too many pretensions. If you enjoy eating in a village restaurant, with genuine dishes and the feel of a historic bar, it can be a convenient base for exploring the lake.
I would not recommend it to anyone who wants a hotel with a reception always staffed, in-room services and guaranteed quiet. In that case it is better to look elsewhere on Lake Garda.
What to do in San Felice del Benaco and on the lake
San Felice del Benaco is pleasant on foot, between the village streets and the lakeside promenade. For a day at the beach or some fun, as the listing notes, there are La Romantica beach, the Desenzano castle and Gardaland.
If the inn does not suit you or is full, there are alternatives on the lake, such as B&B Villa Giulia Rooms & Bike in Toscolano Maderno, B&B La Maison Boutique in Desenzano del Garda and New Immobiliare Casa Patrizia in Sirmione.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
