If you love the taste of Italy, don’t fret about watching who is on the green list and worrying about leaving the country, just head to Bridport and visit Mercato Italiano’s new deli! Located at Unit 3B Dreadnought Trading Estate in Bridport, this is the place to be for Italian coffee and tasty treats. Since opening, the new café has proved a hit, hardly surprising with the quality of the food and drink, all imported directly from Italy by Mercato Italiano’s owner, Ilaria Padovani, who is originally from Verona.
Mercato Italiano started in 2013, selling real Italian food, meats and cheeses at Bridport Market and other local food events. The popularity of the business has grown year on year, even during lockdown, which was a difficult time for many, Mercato Italiano set up the Bridport Basket, which is made up of a selection of cheeses, salami, bread, seasonal local veg and a bottle of wine, all in one basket.
Speaking about the new deli to reporters, Ilaria said: “I have always worked with food so I knew it was what I wanted to do. And for the first time, we have a shop. The plan is to be a shop and a coffee place and at the moment, we have panini and platters and looking to becoming a pizza venue and opening in the evening, have music and be an evening place as well.
“We had a lot of support during lockdown. We established the Bridport Basket, which worked and now people can find us directly. I think, particularly after lockdown, people really do like to come in.”
Speaking about the popularity so far, she said: “It’s been good, it’s been really nice and people have been really supportive. Many have come to check us out and have come back, I can offer more options here than at a market stall.”
As well as the new café in Bridport, you can also shop Mercato Italiano products, including the Bridport Basket, online at mercatoitaliano.uk. Visit them at Unit 3B, Dreadnought Trading Estate, between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday and enjoy a real taste of Italy!
