As seasoned locals with a passion for great food, we love exploring every nook and cranny of our local culinary landscape. Tired of tourist traps? Follow our lead (and your nose) to authentic eateries where locals indulge in the flavors of Italian cuisine.
From the hidden and humble trattorias of La Spezia to the seafood restaurants of Cinque Terre and the stylish waterfront bistros of Portovenere, we've curated a collection of must-visit dining experiences that will leave you craving more. And of course, since you'll probably be here on vacation (and this is Italy), we also cover the best places to grab an aperitivo, taste local Italian wines, and where to sip classic cocktails with a view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Sound like your kind of vibe? Our Insider Guide blog posts will point you in the direction of the most authentic and memorable foodie experiences, leaving you spoilt for choice and a chance to savor the true essence of Ligurian gastronomy.
The locals here in La Spezia enjoy being out in town, even just for a coffee or an 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.
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.
Read Next: The Hungry Traveler's Guide to Cinque Terre Food Specialties
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 our 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.
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!
Beyond La Spezia and the five villages, the surrounding towns offer exceptional dining experiences that showcase regional specialties.
Porto Venere stands out as a seafood lover's paradise, where waterfront restaurants serve the freshest catch of the day with spectacular gulf views. Our top restaurants in Portovenere include everything from elegant fine dining to charming harbor-side trattorias.
Levanto combines beachside casual dining with traditional Ligurian fare, offering excellent pizzerias and family-run osterias perfect after a day by the sea.
Lerici charms with its promenade restaurants serving classic Italian dishes with maritime flair, while the historic town center hides cozy wine bars ideal for an evening aperitivo.
Sarzana, slightly inland, presents a more authentic local experience with bustling market squares surrounded by cafes and restaurants where you'll find hearty Lunigiana cuisine, including the region's famous testaroli pasta.
Each town brings its own character to the table, making dining in these neighboring communities as rewarding as exploring Cinque Terre's food specialties themselves.
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.
The Italian tradition of aperitivo is alive and well in La Spezia and surrounds. As the sun sets, locals gather at bars and cafes for pre-dinner drinks accompanied by complimentary snacks. This social ritual typically runs from 6 pm to 9 pm and offers a wonderful opportunity to experience authentic Italian culture.
La Spezia's nightlife scene ranges from sophisticated cocktail bars to laid-back wine bars and lively pubs with music. Whether you're looking for craft cocktails with harbor views, local wines in intimate enotecas, or a more energetic atmosphere with live music, you'll find options to suit every mood.
Many venues offer outdoor seating where you can people-watch and soak in the Mediterranean ambiance while sipping an Aperol Spritz or Negroni.
Learn More: Best of Nightlife and Bars in La Spezia
When exploring the local food scene, make sure to try authentic Ligurian specialties that define this coastal region.
Beyond the famous pesto, La Spezia is renowned for its stuffed mussels (muscoli ripieni) and mesciua, a humble but hearty soup made with chickpeas, beans, and spelt. The area's proximity to both the sea and mountains means menus feature fresh anchovies, locally caught seafood, and produce from the heroic farming terraces of Cinque Terre.
Don't miss trying focaccia in its many variations, from simple olive oil and salt to creative toppings unique to each bakery. For a complete understanding of what to order, check out our comprehensive Ligurian food guide, which explores the origins and best places to taste these authentic dishes.
You Might Also Like: Ligurian Food Guide – What to Eat When Visiting La Spezia, Italy
No visit to Italy is complete without indulging in excellent pizza and pasta, and this region doesn't disappoint. While you'll find these classics everywhere, knowing where to go for the authentic, high-quality versions makes all the difference.
Our recommendations for the best pizza and pasta in La Spezia include family-run pizzerias with wood-fired ovens producing perfectly crispy Neapolitan-style bases, and trattorias specializing in handmade pasta dressed with traditional Ligurian sauces.
Look for restaurants slightly off the main tourist paths where locals dine – these hidden gems often provide the most memorable meals at reasonable prices.
The pasta here frequently features trofie with pesto, trenette with seafood, or the unique testaroli dressed simply with olive oil and Parmesan. If you're keen to find authentic La Spezia restaurants that locals actually frequent, we've done the hard work for you with our curated list that helps you avoid overpriced tourist traps.
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 from the afternoon into the late evening.
Lucky for you, La Spezia and the surrounding areas have limitless options for food and drink. All you have to do now is choose. Find out more in our Insider blog.
Levanto has plenty to offer, including a long sandy beach, a cute historic town, shops, and restaurants serving traditional cuisine.
This itinerary covers a lot of ground. The one-day adventure starts with an (optional) hike from Monterosso, lunch in Levanto, and sightseeing around the historic town.
By mid-afternoon, you’ll have already experienced panoramic lookouts, cultural and historic landmarks, and charming old town streets.
In the late afternoon, there’s an option to enjoy time on the beach before walking the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) – back in Riomaggiore.
And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.
The itinerary is well-structured so that you know where you need to be and when. And (because everyone is a little different), we’ve included options so that you can customize it to make your own adventure.
Start Time: 9 am
Duration: Full day (12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)
Portovenere is not to be missed!
This one-day adventure starts with a ferry ride (from either Cinque Terre or La Spezia) and includes panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and a picturesque harbor.
The day continues with sightseeing, historic landmarks and views, or an optional loop hike from Portovenere, and a stop for lunch with spectacular sea views.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy time on the beach before walking the Via dell’Amore (Path of Love) back in Riomaggiore.
And of course, you’ll have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.
The itinerary is structured with timings, location information, transport guidance and cultural and historical notes. But we’ve given you options, so you can customize it to make your own adventure. We’ve also included notes on a trip over to Palmaria Island, or an optional, organized boat tour of the Gulf of of Poets.
We’ve crafted a three day self-guided tour of all five Cinque Terre towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso), plus Portovenere.
This multi-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and picturesque harbors) and two optional hikes.
You will have the opportunity to taste Ligurian cuisine at locally selected eateries and enjoy an aperitivo with a view out over the sea.
The itinerary is carefully planned out so that you have enough time at each location to enjoy the best bits and get a feel for each town. Most of the activities are free, but (if you’re looking for something extra special) we’ve selected an optional winery tour, sunset cruise, or pesto-making class that can be slotted into the itinerary!
Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 3 full days (3 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)
This is a complete self-guided tour of all five Cinque Terre towns (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso) and Levanto.
This three-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, beaches, and picturesque harbors) plus two optional hikes.
You will have the opportunity to taste seafood and Ligurian cuisine at local spots, and we’ve included our favorite places to enjoy an aperitivo with a view.
The itinerary sets a nice pace with free activities, but you can choose an optional winery tour, sunset cruise, pesto-making class, or bike tour if you’re looking for something extra special.
Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 3 full days (3 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)
This is a complete self-guided adventure of all five Cinque Terre towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.
This two-day adventure includes a little bit of everything (panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, cultural and historical sights, charming old town streets, and picturesque harbors) plus an optional hike.
The itinerary includes options to enjoy local food and aperitivo with a view.
The itinerary sets a nice pace with free activities, but you can choose to slot in an optional winery tour, sunset cruise or pesto making class to make it extra special.
Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 2 full days (2 x 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation)
Activity Level: Good walking ability (optional hike requires good fitness)
This is a seamless self-guided adventure through four of Cinque Terre’s most breathtaking villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso.
This full-day journey maintains a good pace and covers four stunning villages. The itinerary gives you a little bit of everything, so you’ll discover panoramic lookouts, historic landmarks, charming old town streets, and picturesque harbors.
There’s also enough time to enjoy a traditional Ligurian lunch, a scenic aperitivo, and a delightful dinner with a view.
The itinerary is jam-packed, but you can also choose to pump the breaks and opt for a winery tour or sunset cruise.
Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 12 hours of exploration with a little time for relaxation
Activity Level: Reasonable walking ability and good stamina are a must!
Make the most of your limited time in Cinque Terre with this specially designed itinerary tailored for cruise passengers and day trippers!
This is a seamless self-guided adventure through three of Cinque Terre’s most breathtaking villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Vernazza.
You can expect to experience stunning panoramic viewpoints, historic sites, and charming old town streets. With this easy-to-use plan, you’ll also have enough time to enjoy a traditional Ligurian lunch and an aperitivo with a view.
For an even easier day, you may wish to opt for a short winery tour or boat tour from Riomaggiore!
Start Time: Just before 9 am (adjustable to suit your cruise schedule)
Duration: 8 hours of exploration and time for relaxation
Activity Level: Suitable for anyone with reasonable walking ability
This 3 town itinerary covers the must-see sights in Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Including a walking tour with panoramic lookouts, historic places of interest, and old town shops and restaurants.
A complete full day, that covers good ground but leaves sufficient time for a traditional lunch, aperitivo, and dinner with a view.
For a more immersive experience, we’ve included recommendations for an optional winery tour and sunset cruise.
Start Time: Just after 9 am
Duration: 12 hours of exploration and time for relaxation
Activity Level: Suitable for anyone with reasonable walking ability
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