As an Italian, one of the things I love most about this time of year is dining at seaside restaurants, especially those with tables directly on the beach.
I was fortunate enough to live in a country with some of the most stunning coastal locations in the world. Here are my favourite seaside dining spots in Italy, from the pristine shores of Sardinia and Sicily to the picturesque coastlines of Lazio and other beautiful regions.
La Spigola Restaurant - Golfo Aranci, Sardinia
In Golfo Aranci, nestled on one of Sardinia's most stunning beaches, La Spigola transforms from a daytime bistro into an elegant seafood restaurant as the sun sets over the Costa Smeralda.
The interiors are meticulously designed with locally crafted furnishings, offering beachside tables for those enchanted by the sea's symphony and the feel of sand beneath their feet.
At the culinary helm is Chef Roberto Pisano, guiding La Spigola with a commitment to circularity, seasonality, and supporting local supply chains. Fresh vegetables, wines, cheeses, and olive oil are sourced from nearby small-scale producers, while the daily catch is procured directly from local fishermen each morning.
What sets La Spigola apart is its profound understanding of the seafood world, a genuine dedication to sustainability, and a profound love for the region. Pisano explores and implements techniques that minimize waste, extend product shelf life, and enhance flavours with innovative methods.
The menu evolves with the seasons, adapting to the weather and the daily fortunes of the sea and land. Each dish reflects a harmonious blend of technique and raw ingredients, crafted to honour both the season and the preservation of the maritime ecosystem. It's a culinary approach where craftsmanship elevates the essence of the ingredients, ensuring a dining experience that is as enriching as it is delicious.
Lunaria Beach Restaurant & Lounge Bar, Sardinia
Among the seaside restaurants in Sardinia, there is an address hidden among the rocks, with terraces in the shade of junipers and pieds dans l'eau tables: it is the new Lunaria Beach Restaurant & Lounge Bar in Cala dei Ginepri.
The perfect destination for those who want to treat themselves to a relaxing day at the seaside and enjoy the food and wine offerings in a truly scenic setting.
At dusk, the true soul of Lunaria Beach amazes guests with soft music, delicious cocktails and aperitifs. Dinners are served at the tables on the private beach, illuminated by the warm light of imaginative candles, in a magical atmosphere where you can admire the fairytale of the sunset.
Brizza - Sicily
Brizza, the restaurant at Villa Sant'Andrea, A Belmond Hotel, graces the shores of Mazzarò Bay in Isola Bella, Sicily, offering a captivating seaside setting.
The name "brizza" stems from the Sicilian term for sea breeze, a sensation best savored by the water's edge. This intimate and exclusive dining experience features just six tables, inviting guests to dine barefoot in the sand, embraced by the gentle caress of waves and the allure of the sea. Here, the sea can be felt, breathed, smelled, and tasted.
Adding to the enchantment are the tables softly illuminated by arched floor lamps, crafted by local artisans using traditional "pots" — fishing nets still employed in the Trapani region today. "To create the Brizza menu, I drew upon my deep passion for Sicily's treasures," shares Executive Chef Agostino D'Angelo. The flavors of the sea take center stage: from exquisite sea urchins and snails to wild oysters, Ganzirri clams, and a selection of algae and sea anemones.
Blum - Taormina, Sicily
In Taormina, overlooking the sea on a private beach in Mazzarò Bay, lies the newly opened Blum restaurant at Mazzarò Sea Palace, a luxurious 5-star residence belonging to the VRetreats collection by VOIhotels, part of Alpitour World's hotel division.
Perched on an exclusive terrace seemingly floating above the waves, Blum offers twelve tables where guests embark on a culinary journey that explores diverse flavours and landscapes. Chef Riccardo Fazio honours local roots while infusing them with a contemporary twist.
Traditional Sicilian ingredients like horse meat, cod, and pistachio are expertly melded with innovative cooking techniques and concepts. The result is a cuisine that reveres Sicilian heritage yet embraces global influences, presenting a vibrant tapestry of flavours and experiences.
Pino al mare, Lazio
Nestled on the coast of Santa Severa, less than an hour's drive from Rome, amidst the captivating medieval castle surrounded by water, lies Pino al mare. This renowned restaurant and hotel has been a cherished retreat for Romans, both illustrious and every day, for over half a century, offering a respite from the city's hustle and bustle with its easy-going yet refined and timelessly elegant atmosphere.
Pino al mare draws its culinary inspiration from traditional recipes and locally sourced ingredients from fish auctions. Amidst the backdrop of the sea, guests savour dishes such as seafood salads, spaghetti with sea urchins or cockles, and expertly fried calamari and prawns. The restaurant's tables regularly host a parade of notable names, including actors like Willem Dafoe, Giorgio Pasotti, and Anna Falchi, musicians such as Giuliano Sangiorgi, Niccolò Fabi, and Alessandra Amoroso, and radio personality Rudy Zerbi, who even lends his name to a signature dish of fried fish and vegetables.
At the heart of Pino al mare's culinary offerings is the Quartieri family's dedication to quality, prominently showcased in their acclaimed fish-centric menu. Specialities like mixed raw fish, tagliolini with cheese, pepper and fish, locally caught seafood of the day, and aromatic wild herbs embodying the essence of the region are perennial favourites. To culminate the meal, tiramisu stands out among the popular desserts, completing a dining experience that celebrates both tradition and innovation in Italian cuisine.
Calamosca
Perched with a view of the Gulf of Cagliari, framed by the majestic Sella del Diavolo promontory, Calamosca hosts the gastronomic vision of siblings Matteo, Alessandra, and Massimiliano Porcu at their eponymous restaurant.
Chef Michele Ferrara reigns over the culinary realm here, drawing inspiration from Sardinia's rich traditions while crafting a menu that embraces both land and sea with a contemporary twist. Each dish reflects a deep reverence for local ingredients and the region's natural bounty, resulting in unforgettable culinary creations.
Noteworthy among the primi piatti is the iconic La Calamosca 1952, featuring artisanal egg pacchero bronze-drawn in-house, adorned with prawns, calamari, swordfish, Nieddittas mussels, Cabras bottarga, and a dusting of parsley powder. For a tantalizing appetizer, Cottu e Crù showcases crispy panko-breaded swordfish paired with yellowfin tartare infused with green tabasco and lime, complemented by toasted Monte Arcosu almonds, horseradish mayo, Vermentino teriyaki, and sprouts.
Addressing the diverse preferences of diners, the menu also highlights high-quality vegetarian options, such as Veggy Style: a delicate carpaccio of peaches and tomatoes from Middle Campidano, adorned with summer truffle, fresh goat cheese, extra virgin olive oil, Maldon salt, and basil, promising a symphony of freshness and robust flavours.
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