The Best Restaurants in Cinque Terre

Your insider guide to the best restaurants in Cinque Terre, from scenic seaside tables to local hidden gems.

Few places in Italy feel as cinematic as Cinque Terre National Park, five pastel villages tumbling down the Ligurian coast, where long lunches and sea views are part of the daily agenda.

The food here is classic Ligurian, simple, coastal, and ingredient-led, from briny anchovies from Monterosso and paper-thin sheets of focaccia to trofie with pesto and crisp local whites designed for sunny terraces.

I recently spent five days village-hopping through the Cinque Terre, eating far too much (as usual) while narrowing down exactly where to eat in Cinque Terre, from laid-back harbour spots to more refined tables worth booking ahead for.

This guide pulls together the best restaurants in Cinque Terre, along with a few standout options in La Spezia, where many travelers base themselves and dip into the villages on day trips.

I’ve also noted which village each restaurant is in, so you can easily find somewhere excellent to eat without straying far from wherever you’ve landed for the day.

12 Best Restaurants in Cinque Terre

1. Da Miky (Monterosso al Mare)

Da Miky is one of those places you book with high expectations, and then it ends up being one of your best meals in the Cinque Terre. I went on my second night in Monterosso and immediately wished I had another reservation lined up before leaving.

It sits just back from the seafront with a shaded terrace that’s a little removed from the crowds, especially in the evening when everything softens. The menu leans into seafood, as it should. I started with crudo, then moved on to a whole fish that was cooked simply, and let the quality speak for itself. Just very good ingredients handled properly.

The pasta is also worth ordering. Classic Ligurian flavours, done right. Service is relaxed but attentive, the kind where you’re looked after without it feeling like a performance.

Book ahead and take your time —this is one of the best restaurants in Cinque Terre, where lunch or dinner takes a good few hours.

2. Belforte (Vernazza)

Belforte is all about the setting, and honestly, it might just be the best of any restaurant in the Cinque Terre. Perched right on the rocks at the edge of Vernazza’s harbour, you’re practically suspended over the water, with waves crashing below.

I came here for lunch and ordered their classic- the squid ink pasta with seafood. Rich, briny, and deeply flavoured without being heavy, it’s exactly what you want to be eating in a spot like this. I still think about it.

Come for the view, but the food more than holds its own. Time it for lunch after a morning in Vernazza or for sunset if you can. This is a restaurant you need to book ahead, and ask for a table as close to the edge as possible.

3. Trattoria dal Billy (Manarola)

Trattoria dal Billy sits high above Manarola, reached via a steep climb through the village, with wide-open views across the rooftops and out to sea. It’s a more removed vantage point than most, trading the harbour’s bustle for something quieter and a little more expansive.

Seafood leads the menu, with a strong focus on local catches prepared simply. The mixed seafood antipasti is a good way in, an assortment of small plates that lets you try a bit of everything, followed by pasta dishes rooted in Ligurian tradition. Portions are generous, flavours are clean, and everything feels grounded in the setting.

It’s a well-known spot and fills up quickly, especially for dinner. Book ahead, aim for a terrace table, and give yourself time to get there—the walk up is part of the experience.

4. Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga (Monterosso al Mare)

Ristorante L’Ancora della Tortuga is carved into the rocks at the far end of Monterosso, with terraces and small dining rooms set into a cave-like space overlooking the sea. It’s one of the best restaurants in the Cinque Terre and also one of the most atmospheric, intimate, slightly dramatic, and especially beautiful as the sun begins to dip.

Arrive early for a glass of local white and take in the view before sitting down (ideally at sunset). The menu focuses on seafood, handled with a more refined touch than you’ll find in many of the villages. Expect delicate crudo, thoughtfully plated pasta dishes, spectacular risottos, and fresh fish cooked well, all presented with a bit more attention to detail.

Book ahead, request a terrace table, and time your reservation for sunset, the setting is a large part of the draw, but the food more than keeps pace.

5. Nessun Dorma (Manarola)

Not a restaurant as such, Nessun Dorma is less about a full sit-down meal and more about one of the best aperitivo setups in the Cinque Terre. Perched above Manarola with that iconic view of the village spilling down to the sea, it’s the place to come when the light starts to turn and you want a front-row seat.

The menu is built for grazing—bruschette, local cheeses, anchovies, and generous boards layered with Ligurian produce, all paired with wine, spritzes, or a cold beer. It’s casual, very busy, and geared towards the view.

If you’ve had a big lunch, skip dinner plans and come here instead for sunset. Grab a table (or be prepared to wait), order something to share, and settle in as the sky shifts.

6. Fuori Rotta (Riomaggiore)

Fuori Rotta takes a different direction from the usual Cinque Terre formula, focusing less on seafood-heavy dish and more on Ligurian classics, reworked with a more modern edge. It’s a refreshing change, especially after a few days of similar dishes up and down the coast.

The cooking leans into regional traditions—think seasonal vegetables, handmade pastas, and deeper, more layered flavours. There’s a clear point of view here, but it never strays too far from its roots.

The owner’s passion for local wine also comes through, with a thoughtful list that highlights small Ligurian producers you’re unlikely to come across elsewhere. If you’re even remotely interested in wine, it’s worth asking for a recommendation and letting the meal unfold from there.

7. L’Osteria (Monterosso al Mare)

L’Osteria has that easy, lived-in feel that’s getting harder to find in the Cinque Terre. Tucked into Monterosso’s old town, it spills out onto a small piazza where tables fill quickly, especially in the evening, with a mix of locals and in-the-know visitors settling in for a long, relaxed meal.

There’s nothing curated or overly fancy about the setup. You’ll find simple tables, a bit of clatter from the kitchen, and menus that focus on Ligurian staples. The highlight is the straightforward cooking: anchovies done a few different ways, plates of pasta with pesto or seafood, and generous portions that keep arriving.

8. A Cantina da Mananan (Corniglia)

A Cantina da Mananan is a quaint, family-run spot tucked into the quiet lanes of Corniglia, far from the busier energy of the other villages. There’s no view to distract you here—just a small dining room, closely set tables, and a menu that stays firmly rooted in tradition.

The atmosphere is warm, and it was definitely lively when I came, with handwritten menus and a steady hum of conversation. The food leans into classic Ligurian cooking—hearty pastas, anchovies, and recipes that feel like they’ve been made the same way for years, without much need to change.

Reservations are essential, especially in high season. Come for something more local, slower-paced, and refreshingly unchanged.

9. Osteria La Torpedine (Riomaggiore)

Osteria La Torpedine is a small, tucked-away spot in Riomaggiore that feels a step removed from the main flow of the village. There are no sea views here, just a compact dining room, low lighting, and a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. There are also a few tables outside worth booking in summer.

The menu leans into Ligurian staples with a slightly more refined touch. Plenty of fresh pastas, seasonal ingredients, and dishes that feel considered without losing their roots, like the local anchovy platter, which was a lovely introduction to Cinque Terre’s local cuisine. The trofie al pesto here was fantastic too.

Reservations are a good idea, especially in summer. Come here when you’re after something a little more low-key, but still thoughtful.

10. Trattoria Tamanaco (Riomaggiore)

Trattoria Tamanaco sits right along the main street in Riomaggiore, with a handful of outdoor tables that are perfect for an easy yet slightly more refined meal. It’s casual, a little busy, and a solid option in Riomaggiore.

The menu sticks to the classics, anchovies, fried seafood, plates of pasta with pesto or tomato, served simply and in generous portions, classic trattoria fare. Order a few things to share, pour a glass of local wine, and let it all come together.

It’s an easygoing stop, ideal for lunch or a laid-back dinner after a swim. No need to dress up, or plan too far ahead, although in summer a reservation is recommended.

11. Il Porticciolo (Manarola)

Il Porticciolo sits right up from the small harbour in Manarola on the town’s main drag. It’s a front-row seat to the village, especially in the early evening when things start slowing down.

The menu features the usual coastal staples, seafood pastas, grilled fish, and anchovies done a few ways. I ordered a whole bowl of mussels to start, which were very good, and they also do pizzas if you fancy something different from the usual Ligurian fare.

12. Pirasca (Vernazza)

Pirasca is set just above Vernazza’s harbour, with a terrace that looks straight out over the water and catches the last of the evening light. It’s a slightly quieter perch than the restaurants right on the piazza, with a view that makes it worth the climb up.

The kitchen keeps things rooted in the region, turning out straightforward Ligurian dishes—seafood pastas, grilled fish, and seasonal plates that reflect what’s available locally.

Service has a personal touch, with staff happy to guide you through the menu or suggest a wine to match. It’s an easy place to spend a couple of hours, especially as the light shifts in the early evening and the harbour starts to quiet down.

13. Osteria della Corte ( La Spezia)

For anyone looking for a dining option in La Spezia, particularly for dinner after a day of exploring the Cinque Terre, Osteria dell Corte is my favorite option. Tucked behind an unassuming façade in the centre of La Spezia, opening out into a quiet courtyard that’s far removed from the port city’s busier streets.

The kitchen builds on Ligurian traditions but with a lighter, more considered touch—seasonal ingredients, well-judged flavours, and plates that feel a step up from the usual trattoria format. Expect handmade pastas, vegetable-led dishes, and the occasional seafood course, all presented with a bit more attention to detail.

There’s a thoughtful wine list to match, with a good focus on Ligurian producers. For those staying in La Spezia, it’s one to book ahead.

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Have any questions or comments about where to eat in Cinque Terre? Let me know in the box below.

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Related posts you might like:

The Essential Guide to Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

The Complete Guide to Manarola, Cinque Terre, Italy

The Insider’s Guide to Monterosso al Mare, Cinque Terre

The Complete Guide to Vernazza, Cinque Terre

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