Where to eat in Genoa

Selection of Restaurants and Specialties

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Genoa the Superb also shines on the gastronomic front, where maritime and rural traditions coexist in the alleys of the historic center and along the coastline, giving life to a distinctive cuisine deeply rooted in the local territory.

Overview + Restaurants Table

• I Tre Merli
• Antica Osteria di Vico Palla
• Trattoria da Maria
• Le Rune
• Il Genovese
• Zeffirino
• Trattoria detta del Bruxaboschi
• Creuza de Ma

FAQ

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Overview

Genoa offers a gastronomic panorama that combines maritime tradition, inland cuisine, and contemporary dining. In this guide you will find a selection of particularly noteworthy establishments (see Restaurant Table), along with an overview of their most appreciated specialties, highlighted by customers and major food and wine guides.

From historic family-run trattorias to the city’s most elegant venues, you can discover the authenticity of Ligurian cuisine through iconic dishes such as cheese focaccia, trenette with pesto, Ligurian-style rabbit, and Genoese cima, enjoying a gastronomic experience that tells the story of the territory between sea, hills, and rural tradition.

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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🍽️ Antica Osteria di Vico Palla

Type: Historic trattoria / traditional Ligurian cuisine
Estimated price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / public transport

Antica Osteria di Vico Palla (3) is one of Genoa’s most iconic historic restaurants, considered a true must of Ligurian cuisine. The restaurant excels in both meat and seafood dishes, highlighting Genoese specialties such as Mandilli with pesto, Ligurian-style rabbit, and Stockfish stew with potatoes. The fresh fish counter is displayed for guests, offering an authentic and engaging experience.

The ingredients are carefully selected, favoring local products, and the wine cellar mainly features Ligurian labels, perfect for pairing with the house specialties.

Appetizers

• Genoese focaccia (1, ★★)
• Vegetable pies (artichokes, zucchini, onions, rice, chard) (2, ★★)
• Breaded and fried anchovies
• Cappon magro (3, ★★)
• Anchovy bagnun stew (2, ★★)

First Courses

• Genoese mandilli with pesto (3, ★★★)
• Genoese minestrone
• Pansoti with walnut sauce (1, ★★)
• Ravioli al tocco
• Fine fish ravioli with shrimp and artichokes
• Trofie with tuna, sea bass, Taggiasca olives and cherry tomatoes

Main Courses

• Genoese cima
• Ligurian-style rabbit (3, ★★★)
• Breaded and fried lamb chops
• Sliced beef steak with roasted potatoes
• Stuffed squid in burridda sauce (1, ★★)
• Fine fish fillet (sea bass) Genoese-style
• Salt cod fritters
• Imperial mixed fried seafood (2, ★★)
• Baby octopus stewed (1, ★★)
• Stewed cuttlefish (2, ★★)
• Stockfish stew with potatoes (3, ★★★)

Side Dishes

• Breaded and fried artichokes

Desserts

• Fried sweet milk custard
• Apple and pine nut cake
• Crème brûlée

Antica Osteria di Vico Palla is a must-stop for those wishing to enjoy an authentic Ligurian culinary experience in Genoa.

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🍽️ I Tre Merli

Type: Seafood and meat restaurant / traditional Ligurian cuisine
Estimated price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / public transport

I Tre Merli (2) is a historic restaurant in the Old Port of Genoa, known for offering a well-balanced menu between meat and seafood dishes. The atmosphere is authentic and welcoming, ideal for those wishing to enjoy Ligurian cuisine in a typical Genoese setting.

The wine cellar features a selection of local and Italian labels, with particular attention to Ligurian wines, perfect for pairing with both seafood and land-based dishes.

Appetizers

• Farinata – Traditional Genoese chickpea flatbread (1, ★★)
• Genoese cheese focaccia with Colonnata lard and crushed hazelnuts (1, ★★)
• Beef tartare with Taggiasca olive mortar ragù and truffle crostini
• Vegetable pies
• Genoese-style stuffed vegetables with soy sprouts and balsamic caramelized carrots
• Cappon magro
• Grilled octopus with Taggia olives, potatoes and Pigato reduction

First Courses

• Pansoti with walnut sauce
• Recco trofiette with DOP basil pesto, potatoes and green beans
• Homemade fettuccine with lobster and broad bean ragù
• Potato gnocchi with red mullet and broccoli
• Creamy minestrone soup with white shrimp and basil drops
• Fisherman’s tomato and fresh basil DOP soup

Main Courses

• Lamb chops with thyme and purple potato purée
• Sliced Piedmontese veal rump with Roccese sauce and sweet-and-sour onions
• Sea bass parcels stuffed with baby spinach on burrata fondue and bottarga
• Mixed fried small fish, squid and shellfish with crispy vegetables and golden sage
• Local Ligurian-style fish with Taggiasca olives, pine nuts and potatoes
• Stockfish stew (2, ★★)

Desserts

Dark chocolate flan with delicate white chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream

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🍽️ Trattoria da Maria

Type: Traditional Ligurian trattoria / meat and seafood cuisine
Area: Historic center
Estimated price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / bus

Trattoria da Maria (3) offers a genuine Ligurian culinary experience, with dishes that highlight local tradition and carefully selected ingredients. The restaurant is cozy and perfect for those wishing to enjoy first and main courses prepared according to historic recipes.

The restaurant is renowned for its must-try dishes such as pansoti with walnut sauce, ravioli in broth, and trenette with pesto, with a kitchen that skillfully balances meat and fish. The wine cellar emphasizes carefully selected local labels.

First Courses

• Fettuccine with pesto
• Lasagne with pesto
• Genoese minestrone
• Pansoti with walnut sauce (3, ★★★)
• Ravioli in broth (3, ★★★)
• Trenette with pesto (3, ★★★)

Main Courses

• Braised beef with spinach
• Stewed wild boar with potatoes
• Roast chicken with potatoes
• Genovese-style meatloaf
• Veal stew (1, ★★)
• Piedmontese-style braised donkey
• Tripe with potatoes

Sides

• Stuffed artichokes (1, ★★)
• Peperonata
• Stuffed zucchini (1, ★★)

Desserts

Tiramisu (1, ★★)

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🍽️ Le Rune

Type: Restaurant / meat and seafood cuisine
Area: Historic center
Estimated price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / bus

Le Rune (2) offers a varied gastronomic experience, with carefully prepared meat and fish dishes. The restaurant has a pleasant outdoor seating area, ideal for lunch and dinner during the warmer months.

Signature dishes include Roccaverano robiola flan with black truffle, carrot giardiniera, and honey sorbet (1, ★★), while the rest of the menu ranges from first courses to main courses and fresh desserts, offering creative and well-presented preparations.

First Courses

• Corzetti with Prà basil pesto, potatoes, and green beans
• Ravioli al tocco
• Durum wheat chitarra with baby squid, fresh artichoke, flowers, and tomato reduction
• Durum wheat linguine with clams, shrimp, mussels

Main Courses

• Black Angus braised in Nebbiolo with potato and spinach purée
• Grilled lamb chops with Roman-style artichokes
• Spotted turbot mosaic in a potato crust with agretti sauce
• Low-temperature stewed stockfish with potatoes

Desserts

• Fresh fruit sorbets (green apple, pineapple, chinotto, strawberries)
• Cheesecake with Concord grape sauce and hazelnut crumble

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🍽️ Il Genovese

Type: Restaurant / traditional Ligurian cuisine
Area: Historic center
Estimated price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / bus

Il Genovese (3) offers authentic Ligurian cuisine, with special focus on first courses prepared using carefully selected ingredients, many sourced from Slow Food presidia.

Must-try dishes include potato gnocchi with pesto and Liguria-style rabbit, symbols of quality and care in preparation. Other signature dishes are mainly among the first and main courses.

Starters

• Mixed fried (Frisceü, Panissette, Latte Brusco, Gattafin, Fried tripe) (2, ★★)
• Ligurian cold cuts and cheeses with their sauces

First Courses

• Potato gnocchi with pesto (3, ★★★)
• Pappardelle with white Cabannina ragù (1, ★★)
• Ravioli al tocco with Genovese Cabannina (2, ★★)
• Chestnut trofie with pesto (2, ★★)

Main Courses

• Goat with beans, traditional recipe from Val Nervia (1, ★)
• Liguria-style rabbit (3, ★★★)
• Genovese Cabannina meatballs in tuccu sauce (2, ★★)
• Boiled stockfish with potatoes (2, ★)
• Tripe stew with potatoes (2, ★★)

Sides

• Artichoke or chard pie

Desserts

• Strosciata with passito (1, ★★)
• “Il Genovese” cheesecake with Prescinseua and Pandolce (2, ★)

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🍽️ Zeffirino

Type: Restaurant / traditional Ligurian and seafood cuisine
Area: Historic center
Estimated price: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / bus

Zeffirino (1) offers an elegant culinary experience in a warm, romantic atmosphere, with a fireplace and carefully curated decor. The menu features both meat and seafood dishes, with great attention to Ligurian tradition. The wine cellar is rich in Italian and international labels and also offers a selection of spirits.

Starters

• Beef carpaccio served with caper flowers, sweet onion, and Parmigiano shavings
• “Zeffirino” cheese focaccia
• Cheese selection
• Pan Brioche with Fior di latte, Parma ham, and Pesto
• Smoked seafood – assortment of smoked fish
• Gulf Paradiso salad – assortment of shellfish and crustaceans with seasonal vegetables
• Seafood crudité selection – shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, and fresh fish depending on market availability (1, ★★)

First Courses

• Mandilli Genovesi with pesto
• Paffutelli alla “Frank” – stuffed ravioli with basil and pine nut sauce (1, ★★)
• Plin with truffle cream, porcini mushrooms, and egg yolk
• Trenette with pesto (1, ★)
• Bronze-cut linguine with lobster, confit datterino tomatoes, and Tropea onion (1, ★)
• Gragnano paccheri with seafood symphony – shellfish, prawns, crustaceans, and mollusks

Main Courses

• Charcoal-grilled meat (1, ★)
• Lamb ribs cooked at low temperature with potato croquette skewer
• Beef fillet on lava stone with rosemary-scented potatoes
• Fiorentina steak with alpine butter cream, stuffed blonde onion with vegetable ratatouille and scamorza
• Mixed fried seafood from our sea
• Traditional sauté – assortment of the day’s fish, shellfish, and crustaceans with seasonal vegetables (1, ★)
• Royal crustacean platter – lobster, scampi, and prawns steamed with citrus sauce

Desserts

• Chocolate vertical with rum tasting
• Berry pavlova with vanilla cream
• Mille-feuille cake (1, ★)

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🍽️ Trattoria detta del Bruxaboschi

🍽️ Trattoria detta del Bruxaboschi

Type: Meat restaurant / traditional Ligurian and regional cuisine
Area: Historic centre
Price range: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / by car

Trattoria detta del Bruxaboschi (6) is a restaurant specializing in meat dishes, with great attention to the quality of raw ingredients and seasonality. The cuisine also highlights mushrooms and local game, offering traditional yet refined preparations.

The wine cellar features local, Italian and international labels, while the beer selection completes the offer. The restaurant also has a pleasant outdoor terrace.

Starters

• Cheese selection
• Genoese-style stuffed vegetables, breaded and fried (3, ★★)

First Courses

• Pansoti with wild herbs and walnut sauce (2, ★★)
• “Piccagge matte” with pesto, handmade and rolled with a rolling pin (4, ★★)
• Ravioli al tocco (2, ★★)
• Porcini mushroom risotto
• Taglierini with porcini mushrooms

Main Courses

• Genoese cima with spinach (2, ★)
• Boneless fried rabbit with borage leaves (2, ★★)
• New Zealand lamb chops with vegetables (2, ★)
• Irish Angus T-bone steak with side dish included
• Angus beef tagliata with potatoes and porcini mushrooms
• Veal “quellu moddu” style with sautéed mushrooms

Side Dishes

• Mixed fried vegetables and meat Genoese-style (with brains on request) (2, ★★)
• Porcini mushrooms with woodland-style potatoes

Desserts

• “Torta cappuccina” with chard (1, ★)
• Chestnut bavarian cream with Valrhona Gianduja sauce and hazelnut wafers
• Mont Blanc with chestnuts, marrons and chocolate topped with whipped cream
• Tanariva Valrhona milk chocolate mousse

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🍽️ Creuza de Ma

Type: Seafood restaurant / Ligurian cuisine
Area: Historic centre / sea view
Price range: see Table
Accessibility: On foot / by car

Creuza de Ma (1) is an elegant restaurant combining traditional Ligurian seafood dishes with a veranda and especially a spectacular sea-view terrace. The setting is bright and refined, ideal for romantic lunches or dinners.

Starters

• Breaded and fried anchovies (1, ★)
• Cappon magro (1, ★)
• Tuna tartare

First Courses

• Sea bream ravioli with shellfish aroma (1, ★)
• Seafood spaghetti
• Taglierini with baby octopus ragù

Main Courses

• Catch of the day Ligurian-style with artichokes
• Scampi and prawn Catalan-style salad
• Mixed fried seafood

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FAQ