When I travel, I plan my days around food. Sitting down to a plate of something local feels just as important as seeing the famous sights. A visit to Cinque Terre is no different. Exploring the food is a satisfying way to unfold and appreciate a rich agricultural history that is still an important part of this region.
So, needless to say, the best food in Cinque Terre is proudly local. Here’s a look at the Cinque Terre food specialties that stand out, which I recommend you try when you’re visiting Liguria.
From the Sea
Cinque Terre is at the eastern end of a strip of land in the region of Liguria, Italy. This coastal region is well-known throughout Italy for delicious seafood and catch-of-the-day specialties.
Anchovies: The Local Favorite
Anchovies, or acciughe, are everywhere in the Cinque Terre. Locals enjoy the strong, salty anchovies that are preserved in jars. But you can also find them fresh and prepared in simple ways.
- Marinated in lemon for a light starter
- Baked with herbs for something heartier
- Lightly fried and served hot with a glass of white wine
In Monterosso, they even hold an Anchovy Festival each summer, which says a lot about how important this fish is to local life!
Seafood Specialties
Anchovies might be the most famous, but there’s plenty more to try.
- Mussels stuffed with herbs and cheese (This is more specifically a La Spezian specialty dish, but is often also served in Cinque Terre)
- Spaghetti with clams (vongole) in garlic and white wine
- Cones of fried seafood (fritto misto) can include squid, shrimp, and anchovies – served as street food in takeout places often near the harbors
- Vernazza anchovy tart: Known locally as Tian di Vernazza, with anchovies, potatoes, and tomatoes baked in an oven to produce a hearty and flavorsome meal
Each dish is simple, with the seafood given center stage.
Where to Try?
Monterosso has a couple dozen great restaurants right on the beach in both the old town and the new town. What better way to eat seafood than with sea views! Restaurants in Vernazza also cling to their seafood traditions.
You can find recommendations in several of our blog articles.
Savory Treats
Pesto: A Taste of Liguria
If you’ve been living under a rock, you may not have come across this fragrant and versatile sauce made with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It can be used as a dip or added to pasta, meats, and fish.
Liguria is the birthplace of pesto, and it is widely used here.
I've tried it with trofie (a type of pasta), with gnocchi, and spread on focaccia. Each time it tasted a little different, but always fresh and satisfying. To tell you the truth, I think it is great on almost everything! I put it on toast, in lasagna, on eggs, in sandwiches, sometimes I even eat it for breakfast…which is simply not done here in Italy!
You can also join a fun pesto class to learn the traditional pestle and mortar method. There’s more manual effort required than throwing the ingredients in a blender, but it’s also somehow more satisfying.
Where to Try?
Il Grottino in Riomaggiore is a cozy spot with amazing seafood pasta and pesto dishes.
It can also be bought at the markets, all delis (gastronomie), supermarkets, and specialty shops.
Insider Tip: It's a little expensive, and not really in Cinque Terre, but one of my absolute favourite pestos can be found in a small shop halfway down the historic laneway in Portovenere – La Botega del Pesto. They make a great gift or treat for yourself!
Focaccia and Farinata
Before moving to Italy, I didn’t eat a lot of bread or doughy foods. But it’s part of daily life here. Apart from pizza, you should also try focaccia – a golden, soft bread with olive oil and salt. Some versions are topped with rosemary, onions, tomatoes, anchovies, or olives. A delicious snack or light meal.
It’s easy to find (in just about any bakery) and makes a perfect snack as you wander through the villages.
Where to Try?
For some of the best focaccia, wander into the old town in Monterosso and grab a quick lunch at Il Frantoio in Monterosso.
Sweet Treats
I prefer savory foods and will often skip dessert, but even I find it hard to say no to Italy’s favorite dessert, the faithful Tiramisù.
But if you’re specifically wanting something local, then try Crostata di Sciacchetrà – a rustic tart filled with jam and enriched with a splash of the famous local dessert wine, Sciacchetrà. The wine gives it a fragrant, slightly boozy flavor that makes it stand out from the usual crostata.
Lemon tarts are also popular here – as is Limoncino (a lemon liqueur served after meals as a digestive). Limoncino is also added to desserts such as Torta al Limoncino. This soft sponge cake flavored with Limoncino is light, zesty, and aromatic; it’s a perfect way to taste the lemons grown on the terraces above Monterosso and Riomaggiore.
Where to Try?
There aren’t any specific dessert bars in Cinque Terre, but all restaurants and some cafés have a dessert menu for sampling sweet treats. And of course, this is Italy, so you can’t say no to gelato! A local favorite is basil and lemon-flavored gelato from Alberto’s in Corniglia. The gelato shop on the main street in Vernazza (Vernazza Gelateria) is also popular.
Wines of the Cinque Terre
The steep terraces of the Cinque Terre produce white wines that are crisp, dry, and full of character. The more famous Sciacchetrà is sweet and golden, made in small amounts and difficult to find outside the region.
Ordering the house wine (vino della casa) is always a good choice. It’s often local and pairs perfectly with the food.
The Cinque Terre wineries are known for their ‘heroic viticulture’ with grapes cultivated by hand on the steep terrain. Visiting the wineries is a popular activity, especially if you enjoy wine tasting with a view!
Tips for Eating in Cinque Terre
- Look for seasonal dishes, as menus change depending on what’s fresh
- Stop in bakeries for focaccia, even if you’re not very hungry, you can try a small slice
- Don’t overlook the house wine, which often comes from nearby vineyards
- Try to eat at a local agriturismo (traditional farm offering food and accommodation). Ittiturismo Corniglia Sp4488 is one I recommend. Perfectly positioned on the hillside overlooking the sea, between Corniglia and Vernazza on the SVA hiking trail.
Browse our other blog posts for foodie recommendations:
Final Thoughts
The best foods of Cinque Terre are fresh and local. Eating here is as much a part of the experience as the villages and the views. Anchovies, pesto, focaccia, and wine all tell the story of this place – of the sea, the hills, and the traditions passed down over generations.
Enjoy this article? You might like our other Cinque Terre content.
