Bar San Fedele, where Como meets Como 1907

On the corner of Piazza San Fedele, in the heart of Como, Bar San Fedele has been serving breakfasts, lunches, and aperitivi to locals and visitors since 1989.

A family run business owned by the Cenetiempo family, it has been managed since 2013 by Marco, alongside his father, now retired. Marco is also one of the fans who modelled our new Players Collection tees, the shirts that bring the Como 1907 squad to life through the people who give the club its identity: its community.

“For me, it’s an honour to take part in the Players’ Collection campaign. With the shirt I wear, I introduce our players to my customers, locals and tourists alike, and it is a way of showing how attached the city is to the team. By now, this shirt has also become my official uniform for sports, when I go running, and it is really great to carry around a symbol of the city.”

From behind the counter, Marco has watched the city’s relationship with Como 1907 grow stronger, one conversation at a time.

“I have many friends who have been supporting the team for a long time, who always go to the stadium and who have followed the evolution of this extraordinary story. At the bar, many people stop by before and after the match for a sandwich or an aperitif. When groups are large, they book a table the day before to be sure they will find a seat. It is a pleasure to see all this enthusiasm.”

Between serving coffee to regulars and preparing lunch for groups of tourists, he describes Bar San Fedele as a place where different parts of the city naturally overlap.

“Our bar is a place that brings together many different realities. Longtime customers and friends come here knowing they will find a family atmosphere. It is nice to spend time talking with them and with the shopkeepers from nearby stores. In recent years, we have welcomed many tourists from around the world. The pace of work has increased, but we strive to maintain a personal relationship with our customers, offering a calm space where they can relax and enjoy breakfast or lunch.”

Even on weekends, when the bar is open and he cannot make it to the stadium, football still finds its way into the day. Many of Marco’s friends are Como 1907 supporters, and there is always a moment to catch up on results, performances, and the mood around the team.

“With the bar open on weekends, unfortunately, I can’t go to the stadium, but thanks to my friends, I keep up with everything that is happening. My favourite players are Nico Paz and Maxence Caqueret, I think they are both incredibly talented. Overall, the team, also thanks to this year’s new signings, really appeals to me, and as someone from Como, I am happy to be living through this moment of great success for my city’s team.”

With its small tables looking out over Piazza San Fedele, the bar remains a meeting place throughout the day. Mornings begin early with breakfast, then lunch follows with hot dishes, sandwiches, piadine, and salads, before the pace shifts again into aperitivo.

“We cover the whole day, and in summer we stay open until late to allow people to enjoy a relaxed aperitivo while taking in the beautiful square we are lucky enough to be in.”

The bar has welcomed its share of memorable moments too. A few years ago, one ordinary service turned into an unexpected story.

“It was a normal working day. At a certain point, a group of people came in, greeted us, and asked for a table. Once they sat down, it took us very little time, much to our surprise, to realise that among them was Hilary Swank, the actress from Million Dollar Baby. We couldn’t believe it!”

Marco remembers that the American actress ordered bruschetta with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella, which she enjoyed.

Outside of work, he finds his reset by walking. His favourite route takes him along the promenade by Villa Olmo, a place he returns to when he wants the city to slow down.

“My favourite place in Como is the promenade by Villa Olmo, where I often go to unwind after a long day at work. It is wonderful to live in a city like Como, which offers stunning landscapes. Once I get to Villa Olmo, I stop to look at the city lights. It is also a privileged spot from which you can see the outline of the stadium. It is beautiful from there.”

And when it is time to meet friends, his recommendations are simple and local: an aperitivo in the centre, dinner near the lake, and the familiar comfort of places he has known for years.

“We really like going to Bar Carisma, in the city centre, where I often meet my friends for an aperitivo. As well as Il Cortiletto, which is very close to my bar.”

For pizza, he suggests Comocafè near the lakeside, a long time favourite and a reliable meeting point for evenings out.