Location: Castiglioncello
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Castiglioncello Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Castiglioncello
Castiglioncello is a frazione of the comune of Rosignano Marittimo, in the province of Livorno, Tuscany, Italy. It stands on a promontory reaching out into the Ligurian Sea, surrounded by pinewoods and hills that fall right down to the sea forming cliffs, little inlets, coves and sandy beaches.
Things to do in Castiglioncello
1. Ghostbuster
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 459 reviews
Reviewed By CptAmerica813 - Tampa, Florida
An odd name for an Italian restaurant IN Italy; but this place has great food, charm and wonderful service. The back patio area has a cozy view of the beautiful city streets.
2. Nonna Isola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 350 reviews
Reviewed By JenniferVancouver_BC - Vancouver, BC
Myself and 3 friends enjoyed an Italian cooking class with Chef and owner Enrico, his sommelier and wife, and his staff (contact restaurant directly to arrange) while traveling in Tuscany. As I'm not really a cook, I was a bit nervous, but this was a truly amazing, hands on experience. After the fresh fish was delivered for the day, we started cleaning and preparing the fresh anchovies, halibut and octopus that we later sampled! Our five course lunch started with panzanella, then the anchovy and tomato pasta, a tasting of octopus, and then the main course of halibut. We finished with a dessert of chocolate soufflé. We were taught how to clean the anchovies and how to fillet the halibut. I must admit I expected the anchovies to be the salty, fishy product we get here in Canada. Instead, they were a very light, fresh tasting fish! The entire meal was so healthy and wholesome, we went for a swim in the sea (just down the street) afterwards. The kitchen was immaculate, and full of fresh herbs and spices. What I learned is that the fresher the ingredients, the more tasty everything is, and the less food you actually need to eat. I have a pretty healthy appetite, but I wasn't able to finish one of the courses! (except the soufflé of course!).
Enrico's wife is the sommelier, and gave us a crash course in local wines as well. Both she and Enrico speak English well, which added to the experience for us. A couple of the women in my group live in BC's wine region, but even they indicated that they learned something! As one of the other reviewers notes, Enrico's family has operated a restaurant on that site dating back to the 1900's, and you can feel the pride and commitment to quality that resonate throughout the restaurant.
I would highly recommend the restaurant for meals and Enrico for the cooking class. We did quite a bit of research into cooking classes in Tuscany, and were disappointed in most as we would have ended up in a bigger group (with people we didn't know), or ended up paying a fortune! The wine lesson was an unexpected bonus, as well as the opportunity to try several different local wines, both white and red. We were taught (and practiced!) how to open wine properly. I drink a lot of wine, so you think I would have already mastered that skill!!!
The restaurant Seating area is lovely, and suitable for couples or families. It isn't right on the water, but on the main street, one block up from the beach.
The restaurant is located in Castiglioncello, which is about 20 km from Loverno, and a beautiful seaside village. After the lesson and lunch, we took the train (which seemed to shock everyone in Italy!) to Sienna, but it was a quick and easy way to travel through Tuscany. Definitely the meal and experience was worth the train ride and the little extra traveling we had to do. If we wouldn't have gone to Castiglioncello, we would never have seen how beautiful this part of the coastline was. You almost feel like you've gone back in time. . .
3. Scolapasta
Overall Ratings
4 based on 334 reviews
Reviewed By misti009 - Basel, Switzerland
I literally thought the fish were going to swim off our plates. Everything on the menu was locally sourced seafood. I am not a big fish fan, so when all they served was fish, I was a bit nervous. The menu is on a chalk board and as they run out of a certain dish/fish offered, they erase the board.
We started with the fish plate antipasti, that was so fresh. For my lunch, I had the Dentice fish. They served only the prime cuts of the fish seared on the outside, served with an artichoke ragout that was out of this world! We also had the roast beef of tuna. It had a slight brown outside and the middle was all rare, high end sushi quality. My husband had the grilled squid with cold sweet (raw) shrimp on top that I was shocked at how sweet the shrimp were. Finishing with a white chocolate mousse that was such sweet goodness that was just as delish!
Enjoy the photos of our dishes as just looking at them now is making me hungry for Scolapasta all over again!
Just a note that the restaurant itself doesn't have a scenic view, however if you walk down the street afterwards, the views of the ocean are rewarding.
4. La Lucciola
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 799 reviews
Reviewed By CriticallyMe - Florence, Italy
Okay we knew beforehand that this restaurant was expensive, but considering everything you get all you can ask for.
The menu choice is limited but well varied hence plays to all tastes. We had the carpaccio of pink shrimps on mushroom and the lukewarm appetizer. Both delicious. Afterwards the tagliata of tuna and baccalà. Again both delicious and generous helpings. Service was perfect. Waiting times between dishes just right. Not too short, not too long. Wine list ample. We couldn't find a fault. Highly recommended.
5. Osteria Il Sigillo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 838 reviews
Reviewed By Niumi_1983 - Innsbruck, Austria
We ended up quite late in this little gem thanks to Trip Advisor. It was rated 1st of the restaurants nearby the area we were staying, so we just decided to give it a try as it was already 9pm and we were starving.
The place was up to its rating. We had a lovely home made dinner eating salumi and bread and some pasta with truffle and porcini mushrooms...Eventually we could not help being in Italy and not tasting the piece de resistance: 1.4 kg of Fiorentina steak at its best! Simply fabulous.
The owner of the restaurant is a funny typically Italian host and the atmosphere is cosy and traditional. What a pleasant surprise in such a small village!
6. Ristorante In Gargotta con Crudo 53
Overall Ratings
4 based on 476 reviews
Reviewed By Ariadae - Shropshire UK
Went to this restaurant after a recommendation, but we were very disappointed. Yes, the starters were excellent, but the frito misto at 19 euro was mostly batter oil and calamari .and not good calamari either-we had a fixed price lunch in Piombino including calamari for 15 euro, which was excellent. 2 little fried fish on top and a prawn. And why a cover charge? 6 euro for some uneaten bread seems a bit steep when you are also paying for water at 2 euro. And this in o tober, hardly the height of the season. Very disappointing. Pretentious? Just a bit. What a shame. Overpriced, too much piped soft jazz.
7. Bagni Belvedere
Overall Ratings
4 based on 196 reviews
Reviewed By Irene_85 - Florence, Italy
The restaurant is really simple and rather small with seats both inside and some outside and it is located right on the beach. The staff was really nice and helpful.
We had "Antipastone" (a wide variety of fish dishes, really really tasty!), spaghetti with clams (rather good) and mixed grilled prawns (very good also!). A positive note is that they do not usually serve bread (of course they do if asked to!) but a special hot "schiacciatina" that is great! In case you only want to have a snack I suggest you to try a hot stuffed "schiacciatina"...amazing!!!!
8. Ristorante Il Porticciolo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 400 reviews
Reviewed By CriticallyMe - Florence, Italy
Lovely place overlooking the old little Marino of Castiglioncello. Very romantic ambience. Very good and various menu but what counts more is the quality of the food and the generous helpings. Service is excellent. Prices are moderate. Only one obstacle: book in time because it's always fully booked.
9. Il Cardellino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 763 reviews
Reviewed By gareth3131 - Truro, United Kingdom
Lovely view from outside area. But we weren't allowed to eat outside. But food was good. Nice wine and beer at sensible prices. Loud music from upstairs put me off at first. Especially as 70 s disco.
10. La Marina Hemingway
Overall Ratings
4 based on 133 reviews
Reviewed By MMVoss - El Callao, Venezuela
Nice atmosphere, the menu of the day was fresh, tasty and delicious. The staff attention was good. We've enjoyed the dinner with friends here.
