The world is full of famous restaurants but for fans of Ferrari, there’s few better known than Maranello’s Ristorante Cavallino, opposite the gates of the Ferrari factory.
To escape allied bombing, Enzo Ferrari moved the headquarters of his fledgling car company from Modena to Maranello during World War II. Ferrari S.p.A. was founded in 1947. As production increased, the factory in Maranello was expanded. Among the new buildings constructed was a lunch canteen for the workers, located on the opposite side of Via Abetone from the production facilities. It was named Ristorante Cavallino in 1950 and quickly became a favourite place for Enzo Ferrari to dine with friends, drivers, noble guests and business associates. It was in Ristorante Cavallino that Bernie Ecclestone and FIA President Jean-Marie Balestre “signed the foundations of the Formula 1 Concorde Agreement in 1981, before returning in 1987 to discuss the new competition rules with Enzo Ferrari himself.” (Source)
Ristorante Cavallino remains a popular place of pilgrimage for Ferrari fans. It is still owned by the company, and underwent a significant renovation during the pandemic. The traditional yellow walls and museum-like rooms may have disappeared, but the ‘new’ Cavallino remains unmistakably Ferrari. The outside walls are now a deep red colour and there’s splashes of Ferrari’s rosso corsa in features such as the restaurant’s new designer chairs. Front wings, monocoques and classic posters adorn the walls.
My visit to Ristorante Cavallino began with a fantastic, six-course lunch of traditional Modenese cuisine. The style was fine dining and the portions were small, but I definitely did not leave the table hungry. The food was delicate and refined, and championed some of the region’s best ingredients like Parmigiano Reggiano and Aceto Balsamico. I shouldn’t forget to mention the impeccably polite wait staff, all of whom spoke fluent English. There was even a staff member with Hungarian roots, as there should be. If you are looking for a unique taste of regional cuisine that’s not pizza or pasta, Ristorante Cavallino is highly recommended.
Being treated to a sumptuous six-course lunch is a real pleasure, but I must confess that what came next was even better. My host, Giacomo, invited me for a private tour of the restaurant, which included a visit to the former private dining room of Enzo Ferrari. It’s now used by Enzo’s son, Piero, who visits regularly with friends and business associates. On the wall is an original letter written in 1947 by Enzo Ferrari to Franco Cortese, who was the first driver for Ferrari S.p.A. and would win the Turin Grand Prix later that year.
Our secret tour continued one level higher. On the top of the stairs, a gallery of photos showing Enzo with drivers and VIPs in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Two further private dining suites are located on this upper level. The first features Modena-yellow porcelain plates and original engineering drawings on the walls, while the second houses Alberto Ascari’s winner’s trophy from the 1952 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. You don’t get to see or touch a relic of this historical significance every day! You can also access the roof terrace from this level, which offers unique views across Via Abetone Inferiore to the gates of the Ferrari factory.
Ristorante Cavallino is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday, and for lunch on Sunday. View the current menu and make a reservation.
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