Monterosso al Mare Restaurant Tips by toonsarah Top 5 Page for this destination

Enoteca Ciak: A light lunch

Looking for a light lunch in the streets of Monterosso Vechio, we came upon this small café (there is also a larger “Ristorante Ciak” in a square near the gate to the old town). We managed to grab the last outside table and perused the menu. I wanted only a snack, so chose something known as “mix” – a plate of local salami, cheese and fresh anchovies, served with crusty bread to mop up the oily juices. I washed this down with a deliciously refreshing local wine, La Polenza. Chris had a tuna sandwich and a beer. Unfortunately I didn’t make a note of the prices (must have been that lovely wine distracting me) but I know they weren’t high.

There is also a shop with the same name, selling a wonderful selection of local produce: pasta, olive oil, pesto sauce (of course – this is Liguria), sun-dried tomatoes, limoncino ... Follow the link for more details, including location.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: In one of the lanes leading inland from the square by the churches

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Italian

Bar Nuovo Eden: Lovely spot for coffee

When we arrived in Monterosso we were in need of refreshment, so stopped in one of the first places we came to, the sea-front Bar Nuovo Eden. We found a table outside on the terrace (walk through the restaurant to reach this), with lovely views of the beach, the sea crashing on the rocks (it was pretty rough that day), the small fort on the headland that separates the two halves of Monterosso, and the coast stretching south to Vernazza and beyond.

Favorite Dish: Chris had a cappuccino and I chose an espresso con gelato, which was as the name suggests an espresso coffee with a scoop of ice cream floating in it (a sort of afogato in fact, one of my favourite Italian treats). The coffee was good and strong, the prices reasonable (€2 each) and the beautiful views conducive to a long relaxing coffee break.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: On the sea front just south of the station as you start to walk towards the headland

Rating: 3

Theme: Coffeehouse