Our favorite restaurants by the sea: Italy

Summer is in full swing here in the Mediterranean! This month, we share some of our favorite restaurants with a sea view in the countries we can help you discover. We are starting with some of our favorite dining destinations in Italy!

Italy reopened restaurants fully over a month ago with distanced tables and masks while inside. With the reopening to leisure tourists, this is a great sign for the battered restaurant industry in Europe.

Italy has no shortage of spectacular restaurants with amazing views. Throughout the country, there are many choices for beachfront dining. Coastal fare in Italy varies a bit from region to region. In the south, you will find totally different dishes than you would in the north or the riviera of Liguria.

This week, we are sharing some of our top choices…but the list doesn’t stop here! Each of our tailor made trips comes with a detailed destination kit which contains further suggestions on dining and drinking specific to the places you are visiting. These are some of our personal favorites!

Il Ristorante del Postino at Pollara

Great family restaurant (and Locanda) serving fabulous fish dishes with an emphasis on capers, finocchio, and raisins. Located on the special island of Salina, there are several great restaurants in the area. This one stands out for its food and it has a charming setting overlooking the Ionian sea.

Il Pescatore, Porto Cervo, Sardinia

Porto Cervo has a lot of seafood restaurants but perhaps this is the most renowned. It’s located right on the water and has a elegant, relaxed vibe and is the only restaurant in the area directly on the water. Specialties are Sardinian but modern and refined. Try the “tagliatelle” of squid with bottarga (a local specialty) and lemon.

Grotta Palazzese, Pogliano a Mare, Puglia

This restaurant with a spectacular views constantly on lists of the best seaside restaurants in the world. Its exclusive location is truly one of a kind. Located in a natural cave, its the perfect setting for a meal you will never forget. Prices are steep, so be prepared to pay for this very special view – it is worth it!

Su BarOne RistoBeach Bar, Orosei, Sardinia

This beachfront gem serves great food. It’s a standout restaurant in the area where other beach front places unfortunately serve subpar offerings. They have a great location right on the eastern coast beach of one of the Mediterranean’s most famous islands. It’s casual and looks like a standard beach shack, but it happily surprises! Fun cocktails, fresh seafood and a spectacular view make this a unique and special choice when exploring the island. Check out the weekends when they offer a fresh fish barbecue with live music!

Taverno La Cialoma in Marzamemi, Sicily

A delicious choice in a charming fishing village. There are many restaurants directly on the water, but this stop is a little further back. It’s actually in the piazza versus facing the water (but close) and worth the trip. Besides the colorful ambiance, it is also an authentic Sicilian experience. We heartily recommend the local grilled octopus and a glass of Etna Bianco.

La Cantina di Miky, Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre

There are many choices for seaside dining in the Cinque Terre, but a few restaurants truly stand out. La Cantina Di Miky is the “farm-to-table” innovative bistro of the more formal “Ristorante Miky” (also a great choice). La Cantina is located directly on the seaside in the village of Monterosso al Mare and has a veranda with an amazing view. The menu changes every few days to reflect the seasonably available local ingredients. It is a great choice when visiting the Cinque Terre!

Da Adolfo, Positano

This restaurant is an institution in the Amalfi Coast. It’s familiar red fishing boat is the only way guests can make their way to this beach restaurant with a view. A small, informal, tranquil place for a meal, they serve some of the freshest and classic dishes from the Amalfi area. The complimentary boat ride to the restaurant is also a great way to enjoy views of the area. It’s a can’t miss spot!

Capo Nord, Santa Margherita Ligure

Capo Nord Restaurant is located between Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino. The tables are all outside, a few inches from the sea and in some cases, directly over it. In this breathtaking location you can sample classic Ligurian dishes but also some special surprises. The head chef is Japanese, and their sushi and eastern offerings are an interesting twist using local ingredients from the Tigullio gulf.

Ristorante Franco Mare, Pietrasanta, Tuscany

This chic and relaxing beach club is the perfect spot for a beachfront lunch or a more exclusive dinner. By day, it’s ristorante il corallo, a casual but curated spot for a family-friendly beach front lunch. Great raw seafood and kid approved meals served right in the sand make this a nice respite from a hot summer day. In the evening, the open air dining room behind the swimming pool turns into a special Michelin starred experience. The Tuscan riviera is certainly not a budget option, but this is a nice spot for a splurge on the sea.

Ricciolandia, Fasano, Puglia

Just the name of this seaside restaurant makes us smile. This quirky Pugliese gem serves, you guessed it, “ricci” or sea urchins (along with other local seafood) all right on the beach. It’s casual, busy, fresh and a lot of fun, especially for those who came to the seaside of Puglia to try one of their most famous delicacies.

Always tailor made…

We hope that some of these restaurants by the sea made your mouth start to water and your mind start to dream of your next trip to Italy. It’s the time to start planning! We are eager and ready to start helping you plan your tailor made holiday.