Cinque Terre & La Spezia Restaurants
Dining Out in La Spezia
The locals here in La Spezia enjoy being out in town even just for a coffee or afternoon spritz. This vibrant social culture has created a buoyant day and night life and the local towns are also abundant in restaurants, cafes, and bars.
If you’re looking for where to eat and drink in and around La Spezia or Cinque Terre, then our Insider Guide blog posts are an honest review of our experiences. We try to avoid the tourist traps and make a deliberate effort to seek out great places to eat for every budget.
Dining Out in Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre's food scene is generally relaxed and informal. While there are some upmarket restaurants, the emphasis is on fresh, simple food enjoyed in a convivial atmosphere.
Whether you're dining in a rustic trattoria or grabbing a quick bite on the street, you're sure to find something to satisfy your taste buds in this beautiful corner of Italy.
Best Of Food & Drink
A Little About Us
Hi! We are Justin and Lu and we moved to Italy from Australia. We adore traveling and food is an important way for us to connect with local traditions and cultures.
There is hardly an article on this site that doesn’t make some reference to the foodie pleasures that we’ve been lucky to experience. We hope that by sharing our favorite eateries you’ll also be treated to some delicious local foods.
Buon Viaggio!
Where to Eat the Best Food in La Spezia & Cinque Terre
This area is situated on the border of Liguria, Tuscany, and Emilia Romagna. This meeting of regions has influenced the local food. So, you can enjoy a variety of traditional Italian foods from fresh delicate seafood to thick hearty soups.
Because of a thriving local community, even in the heart of the tourist areas you can find great restaurants. Some have deep roots in the area and others are new ventures making their mark on the local culinary map.
Even so, we won’t be shy to admit that not everywhere is good! So, if food and drink are an important part of your holiday, then be sure not to skip this part of our site!
Where Would You Like To Dine?
Eating Out in La Spezia and Cinque Terre – Tourist Tips
Costs: For a 2-course meal and wine at a typical mid-range restaurant you can expect to pay around 50 Euros per person. Pasta is around 12-15 Euros, side dishes around 6-10 Euros, and meat or fish dishes around 15-25 Euros. Street food and quick bites to eat are typically under 10 Euros.
Booking: Italians consider it polite to book ahead. This isn’t a mandatory social rule, but during busy season it’s a smart thing to do to avoid wandering from restaurant to restaurant on an empty stomach!
Opening Hours: Restaurants will often only open after 7 pm. But, in tourist areas, you’re more likely to find restaurants and cafes that are open all day.
Dining Etiquette: Dining in Italy at a mid-end restaurant can still be surprisingly casual. Fine dining is usually more elegant and suitable clothing is expected!
Service: Restaurant service is usually good with staff that are well trained, friendly, and professional. Café service can sometimes feel abrupt. We try not to get offended by this because we’re told by Italians that customer service just isn’t a ‘thing’ like it is in some cultures.
Tipping: Tipping isn’t a cultural norm but it is always appreciated. You can do as you please.
Other Relevant Posts On Eating Out
Types of Restaurants
When deciding where to eat it’s good to understand the different dining options. In Italy, tradition is sacred, and different types of venues have strictly defined roles:
Bar/Caffè: These traditional institutions are where you can get coffee, snacks, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks including aperitivo cocktails. They aren’t often fancy, but you go there to people-watch and indulge in authentic Italian culture. There are also other types of ‘Bars’ that are only open after 6 pm and these are more akin to ‘wine bars’.
Osteria & Trattoria: These are family-run and serve well-priced traditional foods cooked using local ingredients. The menu choices are usually limited, but these eateries are often cozy and welcoming.
Pizzeria: These hardly need any introduction. Usually coming hot from a wood fire, pizza is served topped with Italian ingredients like mozzarella, prosciutto, and basil!
Ristorante: Restaurants are a dining experience that offer a larger menu and wine list. Usually, the wait staff are well trained, and the prices are more expensive than a trattoria.
Tavola Calda: Literally meaning hot table, is an old-school fast-food venue. Dishes are pre-prepared and usually displayed like in a cafeteria. If you want cheap traditional foods, then this is a good way to fill your belly for a few euros.
Gelateria: These small shops are very popular everywhere around La Spezia and Italy. Gelato is as much a part of Italian cultural identity as the language! Gelato is usually served in the afternoon into the evening.
Lucky for you La Spezia and the surrounding area has limitless options for food and drink. All you have to do now is choose. Find out more in our Insider blog.
