Verona's 12 Apostoli restaurant reveals layers of history with Patricia Urquiola redesign

The 12 Apostoli restaurant in Verona, Italy, one of the country's oldest eateries, has undergone a renovation by designer Patricia Urquiola. Founded as an osteria 275 years ago, the venue sits on Roman and medieval ruins, including a portion of the Temple of Augustus, a Roman road, and a medieval tower base. The restaurant's name originated in the 18th century when it served merchants from the nearby market. In 1920, Antonio Gioco took over and transformed it into a fine dining destination, with backing from Arnoldo Mondadori. It became a haunt for writers and artists such as Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Gabriele D'Annunzio, Maria Callas, and Luciano Pavarotti. The Gioco family ran the restaurant until 2023, when chef Giancarlo Perbellini, who started his career there in the 1980s, took over. Perbellini earned three Michelin stars in autumn 2024. Urquiola's redesign, done with architect Silvia Bettini, preserves the spatial character while introducing warm terracotta and wood tones. Highlights include a library salon, a vaulted frescoed room with a wine cellar in a rust-colored glass and metal cube, and a final dining area with a view of the kitchen. The restaurant also houses a collection of pens donated by winners of the Premio letterario 12 Apostoli, a literary prize founded in 1968 by Giorgio Gioco and jurors including Indro Montanelli and Enzo Biagi.