5 Best Restaurants in Cinque Terre, Italy

Located on the main street, this bar offers a large selection of wines, both local and from farther afield, plus delicious light fare; its umbrella-covered patio is a welcoming spot to recuperate after a day of hiking. Susanna, the owner, is a certified sommelier who's always forthcoming with helpful suggestions on pairing local wines with their tasty bruschettas.

This is arguably the best restaurant in Monterosso, specializing in tasty, fresh seafood dishes like grilled calamari and monkfish ravioli. If their catalana (poached lobster and shrimp with sliced raw fennel and carrot) happens to be on the menu, know that it's a winner. It has a beautiful little garden in the back, perfect for lunch on a sunny day. 

High above the sea in one of Vernazza's remaining medieval stone towers is this unique spot serving delicious Cinque Terre cuisine such as branzino sotto sale (cooked under salt), tagliolini al nero di seppia con gamberi (fresh pasta with squid ink sauce and prawns), and polpo di scoglio alla griglia (grilled octopus). The setting is magnificent, so try for an outdoor table. Reservations are a must.

There's wonderful seaside dining on Riomaggiore harbor, with a menu of local Ligurian dishes and an extensive wine list.  On bad-weather days, take advantage of the lovely dining room with vaulted ceilings, built into the rock.

Relax on Vernazza's main square at this fine trattoria looking out onto the church of Santa Maria d'Antiochi. Enjoy such delectable dishes as shrimp salad, vegetable torte, and risotto alla ciccio (with squid, prawns, and mussels). The pesto, served atop spaghetti, may be some of the best in the Cinque Terre. End your meal with Cinque Terre's own sciacchetrà, a dessert wine served with semisweet biscotti. Don't drink it out of the glass—dip the biscotti in the wine instead.