Il Birratrovo roughly translates as ‘The Beer Find’, which is perfectly apt for this iconic Como bar.

Nestled behind the walls in the heart of the historic old town, it is much more than just a bar, rather a staple for craft beer enthusiasts and a place where a passion for a high-quality drop meets warm Italian hospitality.

Whether staying in the city by the lake or simply passing by to watch a game at the Stadio Sinigaglia, Il Birratrovo should be on your itinerary.

The main draw is the rich and diverse drinks menu which offers a constantly rotating selection of 10 beers on tap and an even more extensive collection of bottles with a strong focus on Belgian and other European brews.

The pub also offers a superb and varied menu – their burgers crafted with fresh, local ingredients are a particular highlight while the daily specials include traditional Italian pasta dishes and the obligatory aperitivo snacks which are the perfect complement to a pint.

It was founder Umberto Benini and his late wife Domenica who introduced the craft beer phenomenon to Como, back when it was still an unknown world to many.

Their vision was ahead of its time and transformed Birratrovo into an iconic city spot, first in its small location on Via Giovio, and later at its current headquarters on Via Carducci, where it has expanded into a spacious, welcoming and popular pub.

Whether you are a fan of top-tier Italian craft beers alongside more famous international labels, the chances are you will find what you are looking for at Il Birratrovo. And there is always the cosy atmosphere and signage harking back to a bygone era of British football.

Incongruous as it may sound, you could find yourself in Como drinking a pint underneath an Upton Park street sign watching football on television below a huge selection of scarves. Yet, somehow it all works.

Como fan Jonathan Civitella is a regular visitor. Speaking to Destination Calcio for our My Town My Team series he said: “It’s fantastic. It’s outside the city just a little bit so it’s not tremendously overcrowded but on a game day it does get busy.

“They’ve got excellent draught beers and so many bottles and cans, really nice food – the pasta is great. There’s a nice vibe outside with the chairs on the street and in summer there’s a little beer garden. It’s just a really nice part of town that doesn’t get too touristy.”

Address: Via Giosuè Carducci, 3, Como, 22100

Opening times: Mon – 3:30pm-11pm, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri – 11am-3:30pm, 6pm-11pm, Sat 11am-11pm, Sunday closed