Detour Pit Stop #134: Circuito del Gusto, Varano de Melegari, Italy

Photo: Sudhir Matai

Speed is on the menu at this racy ristorante in Emilia-Romagna.

The small town of Varano de' Melegari is relatively unknown in the larger scheme of the automotive world. In fact, it may have ceased to exist a few decades ago, were it not for the efforts of its most famous son: Giampaolo Dallara. Signor Dallara set up shop in the town of his birth, effectively ensuring its survival by providing the bulk of employment for its residents. 

Attractions in the town include the Dallara Museum, where one can view the history of the world-famous racecar producer and the Dallara Academy, a learning centre for budding motorsport engineers and technicians. There is also the Autodromo Riccardo Paletti, should you wish to test a new race car far from the prying eyes of your competition. 

Those are the sights already on my list before visiting. However, it is the Circuit del Gusto, a few hundred metres from the racetrack, that is a pleasant surprise. The ristorante, whose name translates directly as ‘Taste Circuit’ has, unsurprisingly, a strong motorsport theme.

Circuit del Gusto is one of less than a dozen eateries in the small town, and during our mid-week visit it is the busiest. Stepping inside we are immediately greeted by the smell of cooking dough and melting cheese.

The walls are adorned with paraphernalia from various motorsport teams, including signed shirts, caps and race gear. There are also a number of model cars in display cases, mostly of the single-seater ‘red’ variety from Maranello.

Eyeing the menu we note dishes named Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati and Dallara. Other racing themed names on the extensive menu include 12 Cilindri, Delta Martini, Schumacher, Hamilton, Niki Lauda and Lando Norris. Ham features strongly on the menu as the town of Parma is just up the road.

The burgers, which come highly recommended, feature the names of two-wheel heroes such as the VR46, the Petrux and the Dovizioso, and both are great. Post dinner we take time to check out the paraphernalia before indulging in a spot of dolce.

Some other diners are clad in corporate gear with the logos of a few leading racing teams. Most seem like race mechanics and engineers, wolfing down pizza as fast as they can and downing a quick beer before, no doubt, heading off to their BnB before another day of thankless testing. There are no famous faces in attendance, but one or two are wearing their ‘fast shoes’.

Varano isn’t as famous as Maranello or Modena, but should petrolheads find themselves in this part of Italy, Circuito del Gusto is definitely the place to satiate one’s hunger.

Words & Photography Sudhir “Banzai” Matai Instagram

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ROADBOOK

CLASS: restaurant

NAME: CIRCUITO DEL GUSTO

ROUTE: VARANO DE’ MELEGARI, EMILIA-ROMAGNA

COUNTRY: Italy

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