Löwengrube – Pietro Nicastro

A mug of beer and you're in Löwengrube Street

After an exciting voyage in Bavaria, Pietro Nicastro and Monica Fantoni have recreated in Italy the authentic concept of the restaurant-brewery of tradition Bavarian. From the first location in Limite sull'Arno to franchising developed with Aba. The aim is to open 100 points of sale by 2025.

Dark carved wood furnishings and blue and white checkered flags. Löwengrube welcomes its customers with a perfect Oktoberfest-style calling card: a warm and festive atmosphere, bold aromas and flavors, and genuine smiles. A winning formula that, in just a few years, has led to the opening of restaurants throughout Italy.

“Tenacity is what has always distinguished me,” points out Pietro Nicastro.“My college was boxing. In the ring, I learned what it means to fight for something and achieve the goals I set for myself..”

The story of the Löwengrube beer restaurant began in 2005, when Pietro Nicastro and Monica Fantoni, on a trip to Munich, discovered the true Bavarian experience. They felt the desire to replicate it in Italy, and so they opened a family-run beer restaurant near Florence, offering Bavarian culinary tradition and a unique atmosphere.“The name comes from the street where we were staying in Munich; the hotel was located right on Löwengrube. This, combined with the fact that we were selling Löwenbräu beer in the breweries I had already opened, determined the name of the place. Over time, a strong bond and a fruitful business relationship developed with the famous Löwenbräu brewery, which allowed us to grow significantly..”

In the welcoming venues, enlivened by a rich calendar of events, you can spend evenings in the company of friends or family, enjoying some of Munich's most famous original beers, accompanied by tasty specialties of French cuisine.

The staff appears dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing.“That's why we've created an in-house academy. Our employees are the brand's primary ambassadors, and we believe that training and ongoing development for our team are essential to the quality of the service we offer. Everything contributes to providing our customers with a unique experience..”

After stopping at the first brewery, many entrepreneurs were struck by the idea and asked to replicate it in other parts of the peninsula.“So, in 2014, we launched our franchising business. Roberto's help was crucial for this challenging yet exciting step. The idea was conceived, researched, and finally brought to life by two hands and two minds. Aba, with his experience, guided us on this journey. And now, the big goal...,"Peter confesses"”is to reach around one hundred points of sale by 2025 and open new locations in Europe too.” The working team is already analyzing, at a market level, some Eastern European countries, Spain and France. “To make ourselves known, we will participate in the international fair in Paris with our "track" formula, the wagen: a typical Bavarian carriage from which we serve street food such as, for example, sausage sandwiches, pretzels, beer and other snacks..”

“"Tenacity is what has always distinguished me. Boxing was my university; in the ring I understood what it means to fight for something."”

Quality is the must of Löwengrube, 360 degrees, from the products to the creation of the premises: “This is why we chose Aba for the furniture.” All Löwengrube restaurants bear the signature of the Arezzo-based company, starting from the first one opened in Limite sull'Arno (Florence) up to the famous wagen. “We were looking for a firm that could support us starting with our restaurant in Tuscany, and we found the ideal partner. Our main concern was opening times for our stores, and with Aba, we've never had delivery issues; we're always on schedule. I respect Roberto greatly and often consult with him and ask for advice. I believe we'll continue to grow together in our future openings..”

The spaces in the Löwengrube are divided into three distinct areas: one for families (with a dedicated kindergarten area featuring elements inspired by the Montessori method), an area for young people, and finally, an area for couples or individuals who prefer a more intimate setting.“The environment is calibrated on the varied experience that we want to offer our customers and that we have created together with Aba.”