Where to eat in Ancon

Selection of Restaurants and Specialties

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Besides being one of the main ports of the Adriatic, Ancona is also one of the most authentic gastronomic destinations in the Marche region, where the maritime tradition intertwines with the rural culture of the hinterland.

Overview + Restaurants Table

• Il Molo
• Ristorante Giacchetti
• Ristorante Marcello
• Ginevra Restaurant
• Saviotti Ristorante
• Osteria La Bottega di Pinocchio

FAQ

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Overview

In Ancona, the cuisine reflects a genuine connection with the sea and the culinary traditions of the Marche region. From waterfront restaurants at the port to historic trattorias in the city center, the options are varied and cater to both those seeking a refined experience and those wanting to taste recipes handed down through generations.

This guide presents a selection of particularly representative venues (see Restaurants Table), along with an overview of their most appreciated specialties.

The stars of the table are the flavors of the sea: from the famous Portonovo mussels alla marinara to spaghetti with mussels, all the way to the historic Ancona-style stockfish and the rich brodetto, symbol of the local maritime tradition. These dishes express identity, the freshest ingredients, and a culinary culture that combines simplicity, intensity of flavor, and strong territorial roots.

Important notes:

In the following sections you will find some key references to help you better orient your choice among restaurants and their specialties, in particular:

📌 The number next to each restaurant and dish indicates how many gastronomic guides recognize its quality.

📌 The stars shown next to each dish are an internal Tourplan classification, developed based on reviews from major guides: ★★★ dish worth the trip, ★★ must-try dish, ★ dish to try.

📌 The indicative price is an indicative value calculated on a standard meal consisting of a starter + a first course, drinks excluded. See Legend 🔗

Restaurants Table

In the table below you will find a carefully curated list of selected restaurants, created by cross-referencing data from 10 of the most authoritative Italian and international food and wine guides. The selection is not based on proprietary scores or rankings, but on the number of guides that recognize the quality of each restaurant, offering a clear, transparent, and comparable criterion to help guide your choice.

🔎 The guides considered in this selection are: Michelin Guide, Gambero Rosso, l’Espresso Guide, Italian Academy of Cuisine, Slow Food Guide, Bibenda, Il Golosario, Identità Golose, Touring Club Italiano, and TripAdvisor.

• Scroll the table down and to the right to view all column data and quickly access the maps Google Maps ➡️
• To see the explanation of each data column, click on the column header itself (e.g. Org, Index, etc.) at the top of the table.

📌 This table is updated every 6–12 months.

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🍽️ Il Molo

Type: Seafood restaurant / Marche maritime cuisine
Area: Ancona Port
Approx. Price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / bus / walking from city center

Il Molo (3) is one of the reference restaurants for those wishing to enjoy authentic Adriatic seafood in Ancona, in a prime location directly overlooking the port. The setting is elegant yet authentic, with a panoramic veranda overlooking the pier that creates a magical atmosphere, especially at sunset.

The cuisine is strongly linked to Marche maritime tradition, with great attention to the quality of raw ingredients and seasonality. The restaurant highlights local products and Slow Food presidia, offering dishes that combine territorial identity with careful selection of seafood. Two true house specialties stand out: gratinated wild mussels and spaghetti with mussels, symbols of Ancona’s cuisine.

Appetizers

• Mixed appetizer
• Gratinated wild mussels (4, ★★★)
• Scottadito sardines (2, ★)
• Spaccasassi and anchovies

First courses

• Spaghetti with mussels (3, ★★)
• Seafood carbonara (4, ★★★)
• Tagliatelle with white seafood ragù
• Gnocchi with scampi (1, ★)

Main courses

• Catch of the day baked (2, ★★)
• Fish brodetto
• Adriatic fried seafood
• Molo soup

Desserts

• Mascarpone mousse
• Varnelli semifreddo

Summary: Seafood restaurant, Marche maritime cuisine, panoramic veranda on the port, specialties like gratinated mussels and spaghetti with mussels, ideal for an authentic maritime experience.

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🍽️ Ristorante Giacchetti

Type: Seafood restaurant / Ancona maritime cuisine
Area: Seafront / beach area
Approx. Price: see Table
Accessibility: Car

Ristorante Giacchetti (2) is one of the most appreciated addresses to enjoy Ancona’s maritime tradition in a relaxing and scenic setting. The seaside location is a major strength, with service in a veranda and the possibility to dine directly on the beach.

The cuisine is entirely dedicated to Adriatic seafood, offering everything from raw dishes to traditional Ancona specialties. Dishes are prepared respecting local recipes, highlighting freshness and simplicity, central elements of the Marche coastal gastronomic culture.

Appetizers

• Octopus salad with potatoes
• Raguse and bombetti (sea snails) in porchetta
• Mussels marinara
• Assorted raw fish

First courses

• Paccheri allo scoglio
• Seafood risotto
• Tagliatelle with seafood
• Spaghetti with mussels

Main courses

• Stoccafisso alla Anconetana
• Fried seafood
• Stoccafisso alla Anconetana
• Brodetto alla Anconetana

Desserts

• Tiramisu

Summary: Seafood restaurant, cuisine based on Adriatic catch, panoramic veranda, and possibility to dine directly on the beach.

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🍽️ Ristorante Marcello

Type: Seafood restaurant / Ancona maritime cuisine
Area: Seafront / beach area
Approx. Price: see Table
Accessibility: Car

Ristorante Marcello (4) is one of the most renowned addresses for those seeking a refined sea dining experience in Ancona. The sea-view veranda and, in season, the possibility to dine directly on the beach create a particularly charming atmosphere.

The cuisine is entirely based on Adriatic seafood, with great attention to quality ingredients and the use of several Slow Food presidia. The wine cellar is well structured, with a selection focused on local and Italian labels, perfectly paired with seafood dishes. The result is a balanced menu where tradition and refinement coexist in an atmospheric setting.

Appetizers

• Mixed appetizer tasting
• Mussels with olive oil and lemon
• Portonovo mussels “exploded” or with breadcrumbs (2, ★)
• Raguse in porchetta
• Sea cicadas
• Gratinated mussels (1, ★)

First courses

• Ciavattoni allo scoglio
• Spaghetti with mussels (4, ★★)
• Chitarrine with clams (3, ★★)
• Seafood risotto (2, ★★)

Main courses

• Mixed fried seafood (1, ★★)
• Mixed grill (2, ★★)
• Steamed fish with Cervia salt or baked
• Monkfish in potacchio sauce

Desserts

• Crema catalana
• Varnelli sponge cake

Summary: Seafood restaurant with cuisine based on Adriatic catch, wine cellar featuring local and Italian labels, sea-view veranda, and possibility to dine on the beach.

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🍽️ Ginevra Restaurant

Type: Gourmet restaurant / Contemporary Italian-Mediterranean cuisine
Area: Port area
Approx. Price: see Table
Accessibility: Car

Ginevra Restaurant (2) is one of the most interesting gourmet venues in Ancona, a modern restaurant with a beautiful port-view terrace that makes the experience particularly charming in the warmer seasons. The environment is elegant and contemporary, with a cuisine that combines Italian, Mediterranean, and European inspiration in a creative way.

The menu offers both seafood and land-based dishes, with great attention to ingredient quality and preparation techniques. The wine cellar is well stocked, featuring a selection of local, Italian, and international labels that pair perfectly with complex and refined dishes. The culinary approach is not strictly traditional but interpretative and international, with sophisticated pairings and careful presentation.

Seafood Starters

• Selection of raw crustaceans and Adriatic fish
• Grilled Adriatic cuttlefish with thyme, blackberry mustard from Ghettarello and mixed greens in panzanella
• Mixed crustaceans in court-bouillon with pumpkin-coriander chutney

Land Starters

• Hand-chopped Piedmontese Fassona tartare with slow-cooked egg
• Venison loin ceviche, red onion, hummus with forest mushrooms
• Ginger pea flan with stracciatella foam

Sea First Courses

• Spaghetti with lobster, black carrot pearls, and crispy leek
• Carnaroli Andreone rice with Sicilian clementines and champagne, marinated blue prawn with ginger
• Charcoal tagliolino with prawns, bisque, and pea oil

Land First Courses

• Tortelloni with Conero wild boar, orange aroma, parmesan cream and Jerusalem artichoke
• Colored cauliflower purée, Rosso Conero vinaigrette, green pepper with parsley sponge
• Paccheri with green broccoli cream, pecorino crumble, and red turnip oil

Sea Main Courses

• Monkfish in potacchio sauce with celery root and shallot in red wine
• Stew with field herbs, John Dory, scampi, gilt-head bream, prawn, and turbot cooked in different styles
• Yellowfin tuna cutlet with sautéed field herbs, vegetable tartare, and mayonnaise

Land Main Courses

• Roasted pigeon breast with turmeric, Sichuan pepper, Cantiano cherry, casserole leg, and golden wing in tender Ascolana style
• White Marche veal fillet with Rosso Conero, sautéed vegetables, and purple potato
• Free-range Val di Chienti chicken roasted with pine nuts, basil, green beans, and yellow pumpkin

Desserts

• Lemon and mint jam, lemon cream, Italian meringue
• Chocolate caprese, coffee caramel mou, coffee namelaka and dulcey, coffee ice cream

Summary: Gourmet restaurant with seafood and land dishes, wine cellar with local and international labels, and panoramic port-view terrace.

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🍽️ Saviotti

Type: Gourmet restaurant / Contemporary Italian cuisine
Area: City center
Approx. Price: see Table
Accessibility: Car / On foot

Saviotti (3) is an elegant and modern restaurant, offering a culinary range from seafood to meat, reinterpreting Italian cuisine with Mediterranean and international influences. The location is refined and romantic, with a splendid panoramic terrace ideal for special dinners, events, or simply enjoying a view of the port.

Great attention is given to ingredients, with many high-quality products and Slow Food presidia. The wine cellar is well-stocked with Italian and international labels, perfect for pairing with creative dishes and enhancing the gastronomic experience. The atmosphere is curated, elegant, and romantic, with attentive service highlighting Saviotti’s gourmet cuisine.

Sea Starters

• Lightly smoked amberjack carpaccio
• Red prawn tartare with lime sour cream
• Grilled scallops, yellow pumpkin cream and crispy pancetta
• Prunier Tradition caviar

Land Starters

• Cheese selection
• Beef tartare, seasonal vegetables, applewood smoke
• Patanegra ham sliced by hand
• Kobe filet tataki with soy caramel and grilled vegetables

Sea First Courses

• Potato gnocchetti with cuttlefish ink, octopus and squid
• Lasagnetta with Portonovo mussels and Pachino cherry tomatoes
• Potato gnocchetti with mullet bottarga, sea urchins, and baby squid

Land First Courses

• Carnaroli risotto with sweet Croce gorgonzola, duck breast and aromatic herbs
• Mancini paccheri alla carbonara with Iberian guanciale and Vacche Rosse parmesan
• Patanegra-filled cappelletti with cream and herring caviar

Sea Main Courses

• Red mullet stuffed with potatoes and capers with black olives and confit cherry tomatoes
• Turbot fillet with vegetable ratatouille and green sauce

Land Main Courses

• Roasted quail on potato fondant, shallots, and black olives
• Pigeon with offal and sweet-and-sour spring onions

Desserts

• Goat Blu, honey and white chocolate tiles
• Carrot cake with mascarpone

Summary: Gourmet restaurant with meat and seafood menu, wine cellar with local and international labels, and panoramic terrace with romantic atmosphere.

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🍽️ Osteria La Bottega di Pinocchio

Type: Osteria / Traditional and seafood cuisine
Area: Historic center
Price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / bus

Osteria La Bottega di Pinocchio (3) is one of the most authentic osterias in Ancona, renowned for its cuisine highlighting Marche traditions and local seafood. The setting is welcoming and well-kept, with a strong focus on high-quality ingredients, many Slow Food Presidia, and a cellar with local labels. A standout specialty is Stoccafisso all’anconetana, the true signature dish of the house.

Starters

• Cured meats and cheese selection with “pizza grasselli
• Marinated anchovies

First Courses

• Ravioli with ricotta and Pecorino di Fossa in tomato sauce
• Potato half-moons filled with cod in stoccafisso sauce (2, ★)
• Passatelli with porcini mushrooms (seasonal)

Main Courses

• Rabbit in potacchio (2, ★★)
• Baked cod with potatoes
• Pork suckling in porchetta style (2, ★)
• Marchigiana-style tripe (2, ★)
• Stoccafisso all’anconetana (3, ★★)

Desserts

• Homemade tart

Summary: Traditional restaurant offering seafood and land-based dishes of Marche tradition, cellar with local labels, and specialties such as Stoccafisso all’anconetana.

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FAQ