Food tourism in Genoa: where to eat

Don't know which restaurant to choose in Genoa? After 5 years living in this northern Italian city, here are my 28 recommendations.

These are the places where we took the visitors,
to whom we were going to celebrate special occasions
and where we met every Friday with friends.

Most of them offer homemade food and typical Italian dishes, but not all of them.

Variety is the spice of life, don't you think?

The order of appearance is not important. It depended more on what we were in the mood for that day (and where we could get a reservation):

Pasta, pizza and other 100% Italian dishes in Genoa

Rosso Meat

Feeling carnivorous?

This is the only restaurant where I always (always, always) ordered one of their beef tartar varieties.

I never order tartar. I like my meat rare, but not completely raw... Except in this restaurant.

All versions are delicious (you will have a hard time choosing).

By the way, the chocolate cake at Rosso Carne could be considered sinful 😉.

Locanda Tortuga

Specialty in Ligurian focaccia.

You can't leave Genoa and surroundings without eating a focaccia.

This restaurant is a good place to try them for a reasonable price. I recommend the cacio y pepe (cheese and pepper type) or any of the ones with gorgonzola.

My mouth is still watering remembering them....

The desserts are not up to par, but the coffee is always good in Italy 😉.

Trattoria Rosmarino

Restaurant specialized in high-priced fish.

Here I liked to celebrate my birthdays or anniversaries.

Even if it was only once or twice a year, it was hard for me to resist the dishes of this restaurant, especially the codfish . "Brandacujun (impressive) and the 3 versions of tuna that they sometimes offer.

I always ordered the same, but there are also good choices of meat, pasta and some vegetarian dishes.

Vittorio al Mare

A restaurant specializing in fish and seafood overlooking the Boccadasse beach.

The restaurant is fine but the location is what puts the finishing touch to this place.

Cavour 21

This restaurant won an award years ago for the best Genovese pesto, and since then its fame has not diminished.

They do not make reservations for small groups, so either you arrive well before they open, or you will have to wait a long time to eat there.

From 8-9 people they do accept reservations, but they force you to hire a group menu in which there will be food left over for sure (that's how I got to try it).

It is true that the food is very good (I loved the pastas, both the one with pesto and the other one that came with the menu), but the service is somewhat disastrous (too many customers to attend to).

And despite having a reservation we had to wait more than 30 minutes at the door.

In a nutshell?

I recommend it if you go as a couple or a very small group and you get in the first ones because you happened to pass by the door (without a reservation).

Trattoria Ugo

Typical Genoese food based on pasta, fish and seafood.

This is a very busy (and somewhat noisy) restaurant where they offer midday menus at good prices and generous portions.

In addition, the raw material they use is very good and the recipes are homemade.

How to eat at a mamma genovese's house 🙂

Trattoria da Gianna

Delicious Genoese dishes, specializing in pasta.

I loved dining at this restaurant.

My recommendation?

Ask for a "Tris di Pece": you choose three pastas with seafood or fish to your liking (all are great, but the homemade sea bass ravioli was my favorite) and they bring you three platters gradually so that the whole table can try the pasta varieties without getting cold.

The size of the portions will depend on the number of diners, but it is usually enough for dinner.

Of course, you can always put the finishing touch with a tiramisu 😉.

The Curious Forchetta

This small restaurant also offers Italian pasta and fish dishes, honoring the fishing village character of Genoa's historic center.

It has a medium-high price and superior quality of the dishes.

It is also located next to a pedestrian square, so if the weather is nice, I recommend you to book outside.

Ombre Rosse

Italian food with an original touch.

In this restaurant you will find some dishes somewhat different from the rest of the Italian restaurants, especially those that are vegetarian.

In particular, the vegetable cakes they offer as antipasti are delicious. I recommend them.

If the weather is nice, its outdoor patio is the ideal oasis for a charming dinner or lunch.

Eataly Genoa

This chain of supermarkets delicatessen with local, proximity or typical Italian products is well known in Italy.

Although its products are high priced, it has a restaurant inside where you can try seasonal dishes and menus at an acceptable price.

Of course, it is always very busy (especially due to its privileged location in the heart of the port of Genoa), so don't expect too much silence or calm around you.

Halloween

Don't be fooled by its name.

This restaurant in the heart of the fishing port of Nervi serves delicious pizzas.

It will be difficult to sit down if you haven't reserved a table, but when you do, you won't be able to stop eating: foccacia di Recco, pizzas, parmigiana, tiramisu...

I recommend you to take a walk along Passegiata Anita Garibaldi right after to better digest 😉.

Montallegro Restaurant

Going with a large, hungry group?

This is the only restaurant I know of where you can order a meter of pizza.

Yes, yes. A meter of pizza with 4 or 5 different tastes.

The best thing about this restaurant? The views, so try to book a table on the terrace. 😉

The easiest way to get there is to take the Zecca-Righi funicular at the end of via Garibaldi (I have marked the point on the map at the bottom of the page) and get off at the last stop.

La Sosta degli Artisti

Another place with good pizzas among the "vicoli" (narrow, dimly lit alleys) of Genoa.

It is a very crowded place, but you might find a place on the terrace.

Pinsotto

Can't find a table at Halloween?

No problem.

Try your luck at the Pinsotto (here I also recommend you to make a reservation).

The pizzas are just as good (or better) and if you like craft beer, this is your place.

Il Fabbro

Italian food with a creative touch.

I admit that this was not one of my favorites, but most of my coworkers loved going to dinner at Fabbro on Saturday nights.

It's probably for a reason 🙂

Bella Blue

Charming place with delicious dishes.

The prices may be a little higher than in other restaurants, but the quality of the dishes is up to par.

Dinner or aperitif in Genoa, the choice is yours

Exultate

Delicious pizzas at a good price in a charming square.

What more could you ask for?

Make sure there's room for you and all your friends to sit down for an aperitif 😉.

They serve half a free margherita pizza per person from 7 to 8.30 with a drink (as an appetizer), so if you want, you can have an early dinner for a little more than 10€.

Les Rouges

Although the food in this establishment is very good, Les Rouges stands out especially for its cocktails and location.

It is located on the second floor of a palazzo palazzo Genoese palazzo and still retains the typical frescoes of these palaces on the ceiling, which gives it a retro touch that goes ideal with its neat but informal style.

I loved to have my aperitif there (from 19.00 to 20.00, approximately) with a Sottoripa Margarita. Mmmm...

Scurreria Beer and Bagel

If you are looking for a craft brewery where you can have a homemade hamburger, this is the place for you.

They have varieties for all tastes but it is usually very crowded. I recommend you to arrive early if you want to get a table for dinner 🙂

Blue Marlin

I wish all sunsets were like this.

If you are enjoying the Passegiata Anita Garibaldi in Nervi from April to October (more or less, depending on the weather), take the opportunity to close the day with a cocktail plus aperitif at the Blue Marlin.

The way it used to fill up in high season, the midday meal must be very good.

However, we preferred to go in the evening, after work, to close the day with a beer, focaccia di Reccofried anchovies and the sunset.

Bagni Medusa

The appetizers at Medusa Bath are spectacular thanks to its location, also in Nervi.

But what is really worthwhile in this restaurant is the fish fry, spectacular!

Remember to make reservations or you will find it impossible to have more than one beer in the restaurant of this curious Genoese "lido".

Bakeries in Genoa

Focaccia and Dintorni

If you feel like a cheap meal sitting on a bench on the steps of Genoa's cathedral, buy your focaccia at this bakery.

My favorites: Recco's and onion(cipolla).

Focacceria Buon Appetito

Another fantastic option is to buy your foccacias at Buon Appetito and spend the afternoon picnicking in the huge Nervi park.

My favorite ice cream parlors in Genoa

La Cremeria delle Erbe

One of the best gelato shops in Genoa. And in Italy it is difficult to find a bad ice cream.

This one stands out especially for its curious offer of flavors.

Antica Gelateria Amedeo

This ice cream shop in Boccadasse has delicious ice cream.

The best part? When you decide on the taste, you can enjoy it by the shore of this charming cove.

Chicco Gelateria

The BEST ice cream parlor in Genoa.

Okay, maybe the best one is subjective. But if you go to Nervi, go for it, yes or yes 😉.

My suggestions after 5 years of testing:

Normal chocolate (with milk).
Sprockets.
Pistachios.
Coffee.
Coffee semifredo.

International cuisine restaurants in Genoa

Have you been in Italy for a long time and feel like trying a different type of gastronomy?

Here are my suggestions:

Soraya

Persian food.

Our favorite dishes were the Speciale Soraya (rice with saffron dried fruits, veal and marinated chicken) and the Adas Polo (rice with lentils, raisins and a kind of delicious veal meatballs).

In autumn, winter and spring they make a Baklava that turns your eyes upside down, I recommend it 😉.

Jay Restaurant

Chinese-Japanese food.

I don't know if it will be the best Japanese/Chinese in all of Genoa, but the quality/price ratio at the Jay is excellent, especially considering that they offer menus. "All you can eat" menus without reducing the quality of the dishes.

Veracruz

Mexican food.

A spacious and pleasant place where you can satisfy your "Mexican cravings" with quality dishes.

Useful Links

Lodging and flights:

Hotels and apartments in Genoa.
Flight deal search engines:Trabber,eDreams,Momondo, andVueling.
5% discount on your IATI travel insurance.

Are you on the road in Italy? Take a look at the rest of the trips I made during 5 years:

Map

Do you know of any other restaurants in Genoa worth mentioning?

Tell me about it in the comments 🙂