Savona
A popular gathering spot for all – families, young couples, visitors, old timers with small dogs – Green is an easy-going spot with a spacious covered…
Must-see restaurants in Northwestern Italy
Monterosso
Across from the seaside promenade, Slurp! is an obligatory stop when strolling the waterfront. In-house made gelato comes in a variety of rich flavours…
La Spezia
Take a seat around chunky wooden tables beneath beamed ceilings at this buzzing Slow Food–affiliated restaurant and wash down the torte di verdure …
Genoa
A wonderfully old-fashioned place, with fragrant scoops appearing from under metal-topped vats. The panera (a Genovese coffee-and-cream blend), creamy…
Tellaro
The best choice for seafood in Tellaro serves up mouthwatering plates of fresh fish, seafood pastas and various octopus dishes. Reserve ahead or go early…
Savona
In the cobbled centre, this much-loved local spot serves up outstanding farinata (chickpea flour flat bread), as well as delectable, simply prepared…
Portofino
Puny's harbourside location is the one you've come to Portofino for and the owners treat everyone like they're a visiting celeb. The food sticks loyally…
Riomaggiore
There are always lots of tourists here but you won't feel like one as the service is so genuinely personable. Fish dishes predominate, though the pizza…
Portofino
A fashionable restaurant overlooking the port, Caffè Excelsior is a good perch with romantic outdoor booths – where Greta Garbo used to hide behind dark…
Genoa
Punt a football anywhere in Genoa and you’re bound to hit somewhere that sells focaccia. This focacceria sells a huge range of focaccia slices, pizza,…
Alba
Young chef Andrea Larossa has been wowing them from this unusual basement space for a few years now. This is Italian gastronomy with all its flourishes…
Aosta
You might be lured here by the pizza (which is good), but you'll stay on for the atmosphere, with convivial staff, happy locals and a wonderful position…
Turin
This happy, pretty pizzeria set in an old glassworks does Sicilian-style pizza using good-quality ingredients, along with rather fancy desserts.
Piedmont
The perennially popular pizzeria Pinky is a skiers' favourite, not to mention a post-bar pit stop. During the season, it also has live music.
Genoa
Serves up tasty focaccia slices just a short stroll from the Stazione Principe. Great for grabbing a snack while waiting for your train.
Riviera di Ponente
Simple and good Ligurian specialities are cooked up at this rustic place in Finalborgo's historic centre.
Tigullio & Baia del Levante
Serves outstanding seafood dishes from an elevated spot overlooking Bonassola's beachfront.
Tigullio & Baia del Levante
It really is worth stopping in to centuries-old Luchin to sample its peerless farinata (chickpea flour flat bread), baked over olive wood in copper pans…
Turin
This small dining room is run by a friendly young couple and makes a nice change from historic, moody Turin. A simple, architecturally astute fit-out…
Genoa
With gingham tablecloths and a cheery clatter emanating from the kitchen, Mangiabuono remains one of the city's fabulously unfancy trattorias. Come and…
Turin
Turin's sushi obsession runs possibly only second to Milan's. Yes, like many of its counterparts, Oinos offers top-quality traditional Japanese raw plates…
Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
You can take the sun on the terrace in summer or warm up by the open fire on chilly days and enjoy simple, traditional dishes like tajarin al ragù di…
Genoa
Totally typica Genovese food can be found in the family-run joints hidden in the warren of streets near the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo. This, a snug…
Turin
At the vanguard of the gourmet gelato trend, Grom was founded in 2003 by two Torinese friends who eschewed syrups and embraced sustainably sourced fresh…
Turin
An unpretentious trattoria that dates to Turin's capital days (ie the 1860s), it has a deserved reputation for superb agnolotti al sugo d'arrosto …
Aosta
Grafted onto a section of the old Roman wall, the Vecchia's setting is highly atmospheric. No post-piste boozer, this is a formal place with knowledgeable…
Genoa
Encased in one of the oldest medieval houses in the city, dating from the early 13th century, Ombre Rosse has a dark but romantic interior, full of books,…
Camogli
You’ll drink your fill of over 130 fine local and Italian wines in this elegant bar. To accompany them, choose something off the seasonal menu, such as…
Turin
Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner, this mini-Eataly has shaded tables on the lovely pedestrian stretch of Lagrange. Food is fresh, simple and quick –…
Valle d'Aosta
In a wood-panelled dining room with red curtains bunched at the windows, David and Elizabeth Allera keep Valdostan traditions alive, serving bowls of…
Turin
Gelati in many flavours and guises is available at this legendary spot on Piazza Carignano. Pepino is best known for the Penguino (aka ice cream dipped in…
Genoa
A landmark trattoria serving classic Genovese farinata (chickpea flour flatbread) in seasoned antique pans, alongside mouth-watering Genovese classics…
Genoa
Both a restaurant and fishmonger, Soho is the place to come for raw fish. It's oh-so-Milan on the bling scale but they take their fishy offerings very…
Turin
Alberto Marchetti is a master of quality, managing every part of his gelato-making process, from fruit selection to the type of milk used. Scoops to seek…
Turin
In-the-know locals flock to this intimate restaurant over the river from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. There's a full menu of pastas and pizzas, but the star…
Courmayeur
Friendly, cosy and popular, there's a huge menu of polenta and fontina cheese dishes – add your topping of mushroom, sausage or various other meats. You…
Genoa
There are laneway tables for warm nights or a cosy, beamed, monochrome dining room for the rest of the time. The seafood and seasonal vegetable primis …
Vernazza
Batti Batti knocks out the best focaccia slices in the village (some would say in Cinque Terre), along with bountifully topped pizza. Their friggitoria, a…
Asti
You could be sharing this osteria, bedecked with white tablecloths, with a quartet of nuns or a birthday party of celebrating college graduates. At this…
Vernazza
Slick gelateria with natural, authentic flavours, dessert cups and vegan specials. Try unique concoctions like peach with basil, or the creamy rich…
