The Top Restaurants In Cinque Terre Italy

Seafood, seafood and then more seafood – it’s little wonder that Italy’s most famous remote fishing villages specialise in their daily catch. Not that eating fish is boring in the Cinque Terre – local specialities include stuffed mussels, anchovies marinated in tangy lemon, and tomato with most things, turning a simple seafood risotto or spaghetti into a formidable, stew-like dish.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Fuori Rotta, Riomaggiore

This lovely restaurant is run by young locals in Riomaggiore, but there’s no sign of inexperience in the food. It’s Cinque Terre tradition amped up for the 21st century, so you’ll get a “mosaic of vegetables” alongside your fish, or calamari filled with shellfish and ricotta on tomato and basil coulis. Set on a terrace overlooking the town, you get a panoramic view of Riomaggiore, from the hilltop vineyards to the sparkling Med.

If you’re about to hike the Sentiero Azzuro trail from Corniglia to Vernazza, this restaurant with rooms – sat on the clifftop between the village and the trailhead – is where to get your energy. The menu is a sheer delight of traditional dishes such as marinated anchovies, and pasta with shellfish. Standout numbers include the seafood risotto – stewed in a pot with tomato and served in a kind of broth – and the super-strong fish soup (order the day before).

Nessun Dorma, Manarola

Wedged on a cliffside overlooking Manarola, Nessun Dorma enjoys the best sunsets in the Cinque Terre. It’s known for aperitivo hour, but you can also make an excellent lunch or dinner out of its platters of anchovies, bruschetta and salads. What they don’t have is pasta and pizza – that’s because they serve strictly local ingredients. The salted and lemon-marinated anchovies are superb.

Dau Cila, Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore’s dinky harbour is the smallest in the Cinque Terre, and Michelin-mentioned Dau Cila perches over it, serving food that’s been netted just offshore and dragged onto land only steps away. Fresh fish is the main event – try the grilled octopus or the spaghetti with anchovies – but there’s a great selection of local wines, too.

Cappun Magru, Manarola

Cappon magro is a traditional Ligurian dish of cold seafood and vegetables layered on top of each other. In Manarola, the Cappun Magru does an incredible version of the famous meal – served on a platter, it’s the ultimate summer seaside lunch. They also do superb, inventive panini, and there’s an excellent wine selection thanks to owner Christiana, who’s a sommelier. Note that it’s only open for breakfast, lunch and aperitivo, as it closes at 6pm.

Gianni Franzi, Vernazza

This locally famous hotel on the harbour front has an excellent restaurant serving classic Cinque Terre dishes, from stuffed anchovies and mussels to fish-filled ravioli. The standout dish is the tegame Vernazza (Vernazza pot), a layered stew of anchovies from Monterosso with tomato, potatoes and herbs.

Ciak, Monterosso

This old favourite on Monterosso’s main piazza has been going strong for nearly 50 years, with many dishes served in terracotta pots, just as they always have been. Start with the insalata di polpo (octopus salad), served with boiled potatoes and olives. The tiramisu and grilled fish are also highly recommended.

Ristorante La Torre, Vernazza

It’s a fair old hike up to La Torre, which sits on the highest, outermost part of the village at the start of the Sentiero Azzuro trail to Corniglia. It’s worth it though – the views of the sea swirling around the town on its tiny peninsula are a classic Cinque Terre sight. Make sure you try the homemade pesto – it’s great when slathered on bruschetta.

This is a rewrite of an article originally by Julianna Roche.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.