The restaurants in Cinque Terre, Italy are some of the best in all of Europe because they have a little bit of everything–stunning views, delicious food, fresh ingredients, romance, and even a dollop of history. You can dine inside an 11th century castle, a WWII war bunker, or even a 16th century pirate watch tower. You can eat in a cliffside restaurant overlooking the sea or choose from one of many Cinque Terre restaurants that sit right on the water. In every food spot on this list, all of the ingredients are fresh and sourced directly from the villages. We absolutely love these places!
10 Best Restaurants in Cinque Terre
The top restaurants in Cinque Terre are spread out amongst five villages–Vernazza, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Manarola. Although this charming destination has been steadily growing in popularity thanks to Instagram and Pinterest, many people still do not know that Cinque Terre is not actually ONE single city, town, or village but a group of FIVE neighboring villages that are collectively referred to as the Cinque Terre, or Five Lands. Each village has its own unique charms and amazing places to eat. These are our favorites.
Best Cinque Terre Restaurants in Vernazza
Ristorante Belforte – Best Cinque Terre Restaurant That’s Actually a Castle
Dating to around 1000, Castello Doria–or Vernazza Castle–is the oldest surviving fortification in Cinque Terre. The postcard-perfect view of its tower rising above the sea is just one of the reasons why Vernazza is my favorite of all the villages in Cinque Terre. At Ristorante Belforte–also known as Belforte Castle Restaurant–you can actually dine inside this lovely fortress.
The dining room sits at the edge of a cliff terrace overlooking the sea and provides amazing views of the ocean as you eat.
What to Eat at Belforte Castle Restaurant – the Best Foods in Vernazza
Belforte serves a variety of specialty seafood dishes, and all the ingredients are locally sourced. You must try the Spaghetti alla Bruno with muscles, clams, and prawns. It’s a house favorite and one of the most popular items on the Ristorante Belforte menu.
La Torre – Best Cinque Terre Restaurant with a View Overlooking All of Vernazza
If you want to dine while experiencing postcard-perfect views–the famous ones that you see in almost all the photos taken of Vernazza–then La Torre is probably the best place for you. The restaurant lies at the top of a hill overlooking the entire village, and the food is just as good as the scenery. Try the marinated mussels, bruschetta, or pesto lasagna!
Best Cinque Terre Restaurants in Monterosso al Mare
Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga – Best Cinque Terre Restaurant with a View on the Water in Monterosso
The most scenic dining experience in Monterosso can be found at Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga. This charming Cinque Terre restaurant sits right by the sea and serves an extensive menu of phenomenal dishes. Some of our favorites include the pumpkin soup, tuna tartare with strawberries, spaghetti with anchovies, and pork and apples cooked in a Chianti wine reduction sauce.
The restaurant itself is actually an old war bunker from WWII that was later converted into one of the most scenic dining spots in all of Cinque Terre.
Torre Aurora Mare Cucina & Cocktails – Best Monterosso Restaurant That Once Defended Against Pirates
This Monterosso restaurant is situated right beside the Torre Aurora–or Aurora Tower–that was built in the 16th century to defend against pirates. Today the castle tower separates the old district of Monterosso from the newer Fegina area of the village and is one of the most visually stunning landmarks along the coast. Dining at Torre Aurora Restaurant provides equally rewarding views and is one of the best places to eat if you like a dash of history mixed in with a scenic location over the water. I recommend ordering the beef fillet and potatoes with cucumber and mint yogurt sauce!
Ristorante Miky – Best Luxury Restaurant in Monterosso Cinque Terre
This Michelin-recommended Monterosso restaurant is one of the highest rated restaurants in Cinque Terre, and it doesn’t disappoint. Try the conchiglia con trenette alla pescatrice. The outer shell consists of a thin bread dough that is formed to look like an open oyster that lets you see the “pearl” inside. The heart of this dish–the treasure that you find inside the bread–is the seafood trenette pasta which is cooked in special earthenware crockery to add unique flavor to the entree. Everything that you can order at Restaurant Miky looks more like fine art than food once plated and brought to your table.
Il Bocconcino – Best Street Food in Cinque Terre
This fast food spot is so popular and beloved that it can hold its own against all the fine dining establishments in the area. Although they serve a variety of quick eats, they’re probably best known for their calamari cones and mixed seafood cones. Chefs fill paper cones with a variety (your selection) of your favorite fried seafood and veges–squid, shrimp, mussels, fish, and more–so you can grab it on the go and enjoy your yummy treat oceanside while strolling along Monterosso Beach. You can find Il Bocconcino right next to the Monterosso Train Station.
Read Next: Cinque Terre Beaches Guide – the 10 Best Beaches in Cinque Terre
Best Cinque Terre Restaurants in Riomaggiore
A Pie de Ma – Most Romantic Cinque Terre Restaurant with a View in Riomaggiore
While dining at A Pie de Ma, you’ll be rewarded with the best seaside views in all of Riomaggiore. The restaurant terrace overlooks the famous cliff-hugging Via dell’Amore–or Path of Love–which slowly winds its way around a rocky outcrop jutting out into the sea.
A Pie de Ma serves a variety of house-made pastas, sandwiches, and local seafood dishes. The pecorino cheese with pears and honey is a menu favorite!
Read Next: Cinque Terre Hiking Guide – the Best Coastal Walks in Cinque Terre (with Map)
Best Cinque Terre Restaurants in Corniglia
Osteria a Cantina de Mananan – Best Restaurant in Corniglia
Osteria a Cantina de Mananan is probably the most famous & popular restaurant in Corniglia. The small dining room was once an old wine cellar, and its stone walls add to the cozy atmosphere of the establishment. All of the menu ingredients come from local gardens and fishermen catches. Try the pesto ravioli, walnut gnocchi, or the mixed seafood platter!
Best Cinque Terre Restaurants in Manarola
Nessun Dorma – Best 24-Hour Seaside Cinque Terre Restaurant with a View in Manarola
Nessun Dorma translates to “no one sleeps,” so it’s only appropriate that this cherished Manarola restaurant stays open for 24 hours. The fact that they never close isn’t the only reason why we love them so much, however. Their food is excellent, and you can eat it all on a beautiful patio overlooking the sea. Try the bruschetta, meat, and cheese platter. It’s one of their bestselling items and absolutely delicious!
Trattoria dal Billy – Best Cinque Terre Restaurant with an Aerial View of Manarola Village
Trattoria dal Billy sits high on a hill overlooking Manarola village and the ocean. Like most of the other entries on this list, it specializes in pasta and other entrees cooked with fresh, locally caught fish. For an appetizer, try the anchovies marinated in lemon, and then order any of the restaurant’s extensive selection of seafood pastas for your main dish. They’re all high-rated and delicious!
Best Street Food in Cinque Terre
Everywhere you go in Cinque Terre, you’ll notice people munching on fried seafood cones served by fast food shops and local street vendors. The most famous of such establishments is Il Bocconcino in Monterosso village, but you can get these yummy treats in almost any of the five Cinque Terre villages, and they’re always made fresh with locally caught fish.
Best Drink to Try at Restaurants in Cinque Terre
If you only try one new drink while you’re in Cinque Terre, let it be an Aperol Spritz. This traditional italian apertif drink is commonly served with snacks called cicchetti and is ranked 9th on the list of the world’s bestselling cocktails. It combines sweet, bubbling Prosecco with bitter, herbaceous Aperol before topping it off with a splash of soda water and an orange garnish. The result is a refreshing citrus drink that is perfect for a day spent by the sea in Cinque Terre!
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