Fritto Misto Comune
Fabriano, Italy
Named after a chance remark from a Turin taxi driver - who, hearing very different accents in his cab, laughed and said "you're like a fritto misto!", Fritto Misto Comune is the passion project of Sara Shepherd, an Australian food professional who left Melbourne to study at the University of Gastronomic Sciences before settling in Fabriano, a mid-sized medieval town in Le Marche.
A Slow-Travel Nest in the Heart of Le Marche
Fritto Misto Comune isn't a hotel; it's a small collection of restored apartments set within a historic residence on the banks of the Giano River, in the heart of Fabriano's old town. Sara found the property after a methodical search across Italy. Weighing airport access, train connections, and town size, Sara spent two weeks in Fabriano before deciding this was home. What she bought was ambitious project: several apartments in need of renovation, an older building still untouched, and a wide garden running down to the river.
Restored with Intention
Every choice here follows a slow, ethical approach to restoration - original architectural features preserved wherever possible, salvaged and repurposed materials, and interiors built around hand-embroidered Italian linens, antique textiles, and fully equipped SMEG kitchens. Casa Alberto, perched on the top floor of the residence, is the standout: light-filled, Fabriano-green walls, a reading nook by the sound of the river, and an original tiled bathroom with a deep soaking tub.
Food, Grown and Gathered
Food sits at the centre of the experience - much of it grown in the property's own orto along the riverbank. Sara works closely with Fabriano's artisans and producers, and guests are pointed toward her curated list of local trattorias, wine bars, and makers rather than a generic concierge list.
A Town, Not a Checklist
Fabriano is best known for its UNESCO-recognised paper-making heritage, but Sara's guests come away with something more textured: the weekly markets, the summer Palio, artisan paper workshops, and the rhythm of a town of around 30,000 people that still runs on its own time.
Why we love it…
Fritto Misto Comune is a labour of love, and we believe this should be celebrated. After months of restoration with her team of local craftsmen, Sara Shepherd has created a slice of warmth and comfort for all who stay. It's as casual as Sara herself - a woman from Melbourne who fell in love with Italy and all the culinary delights it has to offer. This is her labour of love, allowing her to share her years of knowledge with those she welcomes into her property.
Why you’ll love it…
Fritto Misto Comune is a surprise. It is a tranquil oasis away from the sounds of the tourist trail, and the perfect place to slow down and just enjoy life in Le Marche. A bicycle ride with a local group out into the countryside, a visit to the Frasassi Caves, or an afternoon in the piazza with a locally made beer - this is Le Marche on its own terms.
