Where to eat in Cinque Terre
By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 18, 2026
Eat what the coast is known for: trofie pasta with pesto (Liguria is where pesto comes from), focaccia, local anchovies, a cone of fried seafood and a glass of Sciacchetrà, the sweet wine made on the terraces. For a cheap lunch, focaccia and a fritto misto cone by the harbour beat any sit-down menu.
Below are the dishes to look for and places recommended in recent local guides, village by village. We list our sources for each one. Opening hours change and many places close in winter, so check before you go.
What to order
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Trofie al pesto | Short twisted pasta with basil, pine nut, garlic, Parmesan and olive oil pesto |
| Focaccia | Soft olive-oil bread with salt, sometimes with onion, tomato, olives or anchovies |
| Acciughe (anchovies) | Fresh, marinated in lemon, baked or fried; Monterosso is famous for them |
| Tian di Vernazza | Baked anchovies with potatoes and tomatoes, a Vernazza dish |
| Fritto misto | Fried squid, shrimp and anchovies, often sold in a paper cone to take away |
| Stuffed mussels | Mussels filled with herbs and cheese, a La Spezia speciality |
| Sciacchetrà | Rare sweet golden wine from the terraces; also used in a jam tart |
| Limoncino | Lemon liqueur from the terraced lemons above Monterosso and Riomaggiore |
Dish descriptions from Cinque Terre food specialties (La Spezia Guide).
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Compare hotels in VernazzaPlaces to try, village by village
| Village | Place | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Monterosso | Il Frantoio | Focaccia in the old town |
| Monterosso | L’Osteria | Casual piazza tables, anchovies, pesto, generous portions |
| Monterosso | Da Miky | Seafood, crudo and whole fish |
| Monterosso | L’Ancora della Tortuga | Cliffside setting and sunset views (a splurge) |
| Vernazza | Belforte | On the rocks at the harbour, squid ink pasta |
| Vernazza | Pirasca | Terrace above the harbour, seafood pasta |
| Vernazza | Vernazza Gelateria | Gelato on the main street |
| Corniglia | A Cantina da Mananan | Family-run, traditional Ligurian cooking |
| Corniglia | Alberto’s | Basil and lemon gelato |
| Manarola | Trattoria dal Billy | Views over the village, seafood antipasti |
| Manarola | Nessun Dorma | Aperitivo and boards with a sunset view (a bar, not a full restaurant) |
| Riomaggiore | Osteria La Torpedine | Small and low-key, anchovy platter and trofie al pesto |
| Riomaggiore | Trattoria Tamanaco | Casual, anchovies and fried seafood |
| La Spezia | Osteria della Corte | Seasonal Ligurian cooking, handmade pasta |
From Best restaurants in Cinque Terre, updated July 2026 (Roam and Thrive) and Cinque Terre food specialties (La Spezia Guide). We have not visited every place on this list; we include them because recent local guides recommend them.
Eating well on a budget
- Make lunch a takeaway: focaccia from a bakery and a fritto misto cone near the harbour.
- Order the house wine (vino della casa), a crisp local white from the terraces.
- Buy pesto, focaccia and fruit at a shop or market and picnic on the rocks or the beach.
- Have the sunset drink in Manarola, then eat dinner where you are sleeping, often cheaper in La Spezia or Levanto.
- Book ahead for harbour and sunset tables in summer, and check winter opening days.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Cinque Terre famous for?
Pesto (usually with trofie pasta), focaccia, anchovies from Monterosso, fried seafood and the sweet Sciacchetrà wine. Lemons from the terraces go into limoncino and lemon cakes.
Where can I eat cheaply in Cinque Terre?
Bakeries and takeaway counters: focaccia and a cone of fried seafood make a cheap lunch in any village. Picnics with shop-bought pesto and focaccia are popular too.
Do I need to book restaurants in Cinque Terre?
In summer, book for dinner, especially tables with a harbour or sunset view. In winter, check that the place is open, as many close for part of the season.
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More from our Cinque Terre Special
Sources
- Cinque Terre food specialties (La Spezia Guide)
- Best restaurants in Cinque Terre, updated July 2026 (Roam and Thrive)
Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 18, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.