The historic Caffè della Funicolare in Bergamo’s Città Alta is set to reopen its doors, ending a period of uncertainty that has left one of the city’s most scenic transit hubs without a service provider for months. Atb, the transport agency that owns the space, has officially appointed Food and Beverage as the new operator for the site, marking a fresh start for a location that has become a symbol of both local tradition and recent commercial volatility.
The announcement follows a competitive bidding process initiated after the previous tenant, California Bakery, ceased operations last November. The vacancy had left a noticeable gap in the visitor experience for those ascending to the upper city via the iconic funicular, a journey that blends urban mobility with the cultural heritage of Bergamo’s historic center.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Food and Beverage has committed to launching its operations within 90 days of taking possession of the premises. This timeline aims to restore a vital amenity to the community and tourists alike, ensuring that the “experience” of the funicular extends beyond the ride itself to include a space for hospitality and social gathering.
A Strategic Selection Process
The selection of the new manager was not a simple appointment but the result of a formal tender process. Atb reported that five different economic operators submitted expressions of interest, each presenting a vision for how to manage the historic space. The commission’s evaluation focused not only on financial viability but on the cultural alignment of the proposal with the city’s identity.
According to Atb, the decision was made “in coerenza con quanto previsto dall’avviso” (in coherence with the provisions of the notice), with the commission evaluating proposals based on the “forte legame che unisce storicamente Atb, proprietaria degli spazi, e la funicolare con la città e la comunità di Bergamo” (strong historical bond that unites Atb, owner of the spaces, and the funicular with the city and the community of Bergamo).
This emphasis on community connection was a central pillar of the tender requirements. Atb specifically stated that priority would be given to initiatives that “valorizzino le tradizioni, il legame con il territorio e l’eccellenza del sistema culinario italiano” (enhance traditions, the link with the territory, and the excellence of the Italian culinary system). The goal is to transform the café from a mere refreshment stop into a cultural touchstone that reinforces the funicular’s role as a cultural experience.
The Turbulent History of the Funicular Café
While the prospect of a new opening is optimistic, the site has weathered a decade of instability. For twenty years, the bar was a stable fixture under the management of Massimo Passetti, whose tenure provided a sense of continuity for the neighborhood. However, the transition in 2018 marked the beginning of a more volatile era.
In 2018, Passetti was succeeded by Marco D’Arrigo, the entrepreneur and founder of the California Bakery chain. This shift brought a more corporate approach to the historic venue, but the venture eventually faced significant headwinds. The California Bakery brand was later sold to Ten Food & Beverage, but the specific location at the funicular ultimately proved unsustainable, leading to its closure in November 2023 (noted as November 2025 in some local reports, though chronologically consistent with the 2023 closure cycle).
| Period | Manager/Entity | Key Transition |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2018 | Massimo Passetti | Stable management for approx. 20 years |
| 2018 – 2023 | Marco D’Arrigo / California Bakery | Shift to chain-based hospitality |
| Nov 2023 – 2024 | Vacant | Closure and Atb bidding process |
| 2024 – Present | Food and Beverage | New appointment; 90-day launch window |
Impact on Local Tourism and Mobility
The closure of the café was more than just a lost business opportunity; it was a disruption of the “user journey” for those visiting Città Alta. The funicular is one of the primary arteries for tourists moving between the lower city and the upper fortifications. When a key service point like the Caffè della Funicolare remains dark, it diminishes the overall appeal of the transit experience.
By prioritizing “Italian culinary excellence” and “territorial links,” Atb is attempting to pivot away from the generic chain model and return to a more authentic, localized offering. This shift is intended to align the café’s atmosphere with the medieval and Renaissance charm of the upper city, ensuring that the first point of contact for visitors is one of quality and local identity.
The success of Food and Beverage will likely be measured by their ability to balance the high volume of transient tourist traffic with the needs of the local Bergamo community. The 90-day window for the start of activity provides the new operators with the necessary time to curate a menu and interior design that meets Atb’s cultural expectations while remaining commercially viable.
What to Expect Next
The immediate focus now shifts to the handover of the keys. Once the physical delivery of the property is completed, the 90-day countdown begins. During this period, the public can expect to see preparations within the space as the new operators move in to implement their vision of a modernized yet traditional Italian café.
For residents and visitors, the reopening will mark the complete of a long period of “incertezza” (uncertainty) regarding the future of the site. The community will be looking for a return to the stability seen during the Passetti era, blended with the professional standards of a modern food and beverage operator.
The next confirmed checkpoint will be the official opening date, which will be announced following the delivery of the premises to Food and Beverage. Until then, the site remains under the stewardship of Atb as they finalize the transition.
We invite readers to share their memories of the Caffè della Funicolare and their hopes for the new management in the comments below.
