Frattelli Nurzia was an institution L'Aquila even before the disastrous earthquake of April 6 2009,…read more but afterwards it became one of the symbols of reconstruction and rebirth of the city. Natalia, the most recent leader in a family that has been a part of L'Aquila's caffe tradition for decades, has never stopped proving what can be done in face of tragedy. And they have been doing is with style. Don't let the scaffolding on the outside deter you, the Art Deco interior ("Liberty" in Italy) helps mix with the aroma of great espresso (in the morning) and prosecco or a glass of white Pecorino wine (in the afternoon) and take you back to the a turn of the last century. They are most famous for Torrone Frattelli Nurzia (the more artisanal of L'Aquila's two most traditional makers of the city's traditional nougat, chocolate and almond candy (they even serve it melted in coffee if you need an extra boost of energy to fight cold mornings and evenings. Recently they have added a few choices of artisanal gelato. The chocolate-cinnamon-orange gelato is to die for, and surprisingly lactose-free.