Where can you go for crispy bruschetta topped with Tuscan white beans and parmesan cheese, spinach and mushroom ravioli with a haricot-vert pecan salad and cherry-port reduction and a dish of creamy gelato to top it all off?

We’ll give you a hint – you don’t have to take the next flight to Italy.

The answer is Nashua, or more specifically Villa Banca Restaurant, Michael Timothy’s Urban Bistro and Wine Bar and Swan Chocolates.

If Italian food isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other places to grab a bite ranging from American classics to sushi. Nashua is nothing short of a New Hampshire foodie’s paradise.
Because let’s face it – even though we’re all yearning for some springtime sun, Mother Nature isn’t always on the same page. On the days that spring is acting a little more lion than lamb, nothing warms the soul better than some truly tasty food.

There is no better way to learn how to eat, drink and be merry in Nashua than to ask a local to show us around. Kim Vanderbeck, 22, stepped up to the challenge. A Nashua resident for most of her life, she knows the ins and outs of the city’s dining scene.

Kim gave us a few recommendations on parking, nightlife and, of course, where to eat, but there’s plenty more information on all downtown has to offer at downtownnashua.org.

Where to park
If you’re checking out the downtown scene, Kim recommends parking in the High Street garage . High Street is off of Main Street and is essentially smack-dab in the middle of the area you’ll most want to visit.

If that garage seems out of the way, there’s another garage in between West Pearl Street and West Hollis Street on Elm Street. Elm Street runs parallel to Main Street.

Be sure to bring change, because there are metered spaces (50 cents per hour) in both the garage and street. If you’re saying a while, stick with the garages because on-street parking has a two-hour limit. All parking is free after 5p.m., weekends and holidays.

Confused? There are handy printout parking guides at gonashua.com. Type “parking” into the search bar.

Hungry for a special night out?
Villa Banca Restaurant, 194 Main St.: Kim’s favorite Nashua restaurant serves contemporary and traditional Italian dishes.

We stopped here for lunch during our tour and almost filled up on the bruschetta ($7.99) alone because it was so incredibly good. But we didn’t stop there – Kim got the pear salad (mixed greens, balsamic roasted pears, spiced pecans and blue cheese dressed with roasted garlic vinaigrette, $9.99), and I ordered a plate of penne in a puttanesca sauce (marina, kalamata olives, hot peppers, tomatoes, anchovies and capers, $10.99).

Delectable-looking dinners include the risotto alla boscaiola (porcini, portabella, button and shitake mushrooms with pancetta bacon and basil in a cognac cream sauce tossed with parmesan risotto, $14.99) and the gorgonzola haddock (haddock topped with gorgonzola bread crumbs and baked in a lobster cream sauce. Served with garlic-mashed potatoes and broccoli, $18.99).

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. -9 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. -9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 4-10 p.m. and Sunday, 4-8 p.m.

For more information: 598-0500 or villabanca.com.

Michael Timothy’s Urban Bistro and Wine Bar, 212 Main St.: Kim referred to this popular destination as a staple to the Nashua food scene.

Many people flock to Michael Timothy’s for the wood-grilled pizza – we had our eyes on the roasted artichoke and chicken pizza ($19) – but there are plenty of other entrees to get your mouth watering, like the pepper-crusted Australian lamb loin (with caramelized onion and cheddar pierogie, sautéed spinach and cranberries, $29) and red Thai curry glazed salmon (with Napa slaw, shrimp gyoza and sushi rice, $23).

Informal wine tastings are held every Thursday at 5 p.m. Bring your significant other, stay for dinner and – voila – instant date night!

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, Michael Timothy’s has an afternoon menu featuring smaller plates and pizza from 3-5 p.m. and a full dinner menu is available 5 p.m.-close. Brunch is served Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For more information: 595-9334 or michaeltimothys.com.

Kim also recommends: Saffron Bistro.

Craving something a little different?
Shira Kiku, 13 Broad St.: For sushi, Kim likes this Korean/Japanese restaurant. There are all the classics (tuna to yellow tail), but we were most interested in the unique maki rolls such as the calamari crunch roll (fried squid, cucumber and sweet curry mayonnaise, $10.95) and futo roll (spinach, carrots, Japanese pumpkins and tamage, $7.95).

If you’re looking for something hot, Shira Kiku has a lengthy list of noodle
dishes, Korean specials and more.

Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.
For more information: 882-8644 or kikunh.com.

Cooking Matters, 97 Main St.: Cooking Matters is a specialty food store that sells gourmet food, wine, local beer, teas and so much more – it’s amazing how many yummy things they can fit into such a small space!

It’s not just a retail spot – there’s also a food counter where you can order sandwiches, soups and salads. There’s a small seating area by the front window for you to enjoy your lunch or to just sip coffee while people watching.

Cooking Matters posts daily soup specials on its Facebook page, so be sure to become a fan. That way, you’ll never miss West African peanut chicken soup or the vegetarian portabella mushroom chili again.

Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information: 880-6200.

Kim also recommends: Lilac Blossom, San Francisco Kitchen and The Seedling Café.

Save room for coffee and dessert
Swan Chocolates, 142 Main St.: After lunch at Villa Banca Restaurant, Kim suggested we get dessert. Swan Chocolates sells all sorts of chocolatey treats (boxes of chocolates, truffles, chocolate-covered popcorn . . . you get the point) as well as café-beverages, bakery items, a selection of gelato and more. We ordered a red velvet cupcake ($2.25) and a whoopie pie ($4). We took a seat (there’s a small seating section available) and enjoyed.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

For more information: 886-7116 or swanchocolates.com.

Bonhoeffer’s Café and Espresso, 8 Franklin St.: Coffee lovers may want to check out Bonhoeffer’s Café and Espresso. Its beans are freshly roasted by A&E Roastery in Amherst and all the coffee is organically grown and fair trade certified. Besides having quality coffee and an expansive list of coffee-drinks, Bonhoeffer’s serves pastries, lunch and breakfast sandwiches.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
For more information: 883-6879 or bonhoefferscafe.com.

Kim also recommends: Patisserie Bleu, Express Café and Hayward’s Ice Cream.

Like the nightlife?
Martha’s Exchange Restaurant and Brewing Co., 185 Main St.: If you’re looking for something other than a Bud Light, Martha’s Exchange offers approximately 25 of its own brews throughout the year. Want to bust a move? Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, there’s a DJ and dancing in their nightclub.

Hours: Food is served Monday through Wednesday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The bar closes at 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

For more information: 883-8781 or marthas-exchange.com.

The Peddler’s Daughter, 48 Main St.: A popular spot to meet friends and grab a pint.
Hours: Food is served Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and Sunday, 5-9:30 p.m. Last call is at 12:30 a.m.

For more information: thepeddlersdaughter.com or 821-7535.

Kim also recommends: The Nashua Garden and the Boston Billiard Club.

For more information about Nashua, call the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce at 881-8333, visit nashuachamber.com or stop by its conveniently located downtown office at 151 Main St.