Location: La Spezia
Top Restaurants in La Spezia
Top Things to do in La Spezia
Countries
Where to Eat in La Spezia: The Best Restaurants and Bars
La Spezia (Italian: [la ˈspɛttsja] ( listen); A Spèza in the local dialect of Ligurian), at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria region of Northern Italy, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia.
Things to do in La Spezia
1. Osteria Della Corte
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Fantastic little restaurant, not far from Hotel Firenze e Continental. Great food, the chef (she) and (i think) the owner (photographed on their web page) are really friendly and chatted with me about my choices. He asked me all about my preferences before recommending a lovely local wine.
Reviewed By CindyM7432 - Vernon, Connecticut
If you are in La Spezia and want a fabulous dinning experience this is the place to go. Food was amazing and so was the service. We stared with a cheese platter with some delicious different cheeses along with some sauces and honey to try with them then we had our main course. And even though we were full we tried the desserts!
2. Il Cantiere D'Elsapore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 419 reviews
Il Cantiere d'Elsapore offers a set menu consisting of five appetizers, two pasta dishes, a main course and dessert. The Thursday and Friday, the menu is seafood, priced at € 31 per person excluding drinks, and other days of meat at a price of € 27 per person excluding drinks. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and is open for dinner only, except Sunday when it's open even for lunch.
Reviewed By Maria Luisa A - Liguria
This restaurant was recommended by a student of mine. She informed me the atmosphere was "particolare" "ricercato"and the dishes "raffinate" and "curate".
I can only confirm the validity of her opinion. What a delight, what a feast for one's taste-buds. Each dish, impeccably presented. By the time dessert arrived my dearest companion and I, thought it couldn't possibly get any better-but it did!
But first of all let me start at the beginning. The restaurant itself, from the outside, is utterly ordinary and could lead one to believe it is a common trattoria, specializing in a typical Ligurian cuisine with the ubiquitous lasagne, ravioli, tagliatelle, and cotolette that one usually expects from these institutions. Good solid home made food. No! You would be hugely mistaken! It is far far superior; the quality and the originality of Elsa's (the chef) dishes are unique, delightful, adventurous albeit genuine and non-threatening. This is not a pretentious minimalist haute cuisine that leaves its clients ravenous and far poorer. The menu is one only. You have to accept what they offer, unconditionally, as a child knows instinctively his or her parents know best, you, the customer, must have faith. The only choice you are allowed is to choose whether to come on a Thursday or Friday for a menu based on fish, or arrive on any other day of the week, for the inspired "terra" (meat and vegetable) recipes.
My companion and I arrived on the Sunday 20th March. We had booked a table at 12.30-booking is essential. As I mentioned earlier, the menu is set and this is usually five "anti-pasti", two first courses, a main dish and then dessert. We were concerned that we would be unable to meet the deadline, but the portions are, in a word, perfect. Beware time is slow, you will not be waiting interminably between one dish and another but you will find the time to talk to your partner-go with someone whose company you enjoy! We left our seats at 3.00pm...
The indoor decor is floral, tasteful, refined, elegant and very feminine. I was not aware of any outdoor Seating. This more than made up for the disappointing surrounding area, the view is plainly uninspiring and quite depressing. Don't expect to see spectacular sea fronts-go either to Portovenere or Lerici. However, the minute you enter you do feel comfortable and reassured.
Ahhh the "pietanze", the dishes, the exquisite amalgamations of flavours, sublime! The truffle polpette (meat ball) was...heavenly. I swear I have never tasted anything more sublime, more delicious. Then the chick peas crepes with the lightest of pure lard slices, slowly melted, which your tongue and your senses cried with gratitude. The spaghetti; with a rich, creamy pesto of broccoli and walnuts-to die for! The pork ravioli, yes, in the end there were ravioli, were divine. My companion especially appreciated the thick red tasty Chianina sauce. Then there was the tagliata with red sea salt, and stir fried artichoke slices. Could it get better? Yes.
Dessert. Usually I skip dessert. I am not a aficionado of sweets but this, I had to taste... I trusted my carers. I opted for blueberry panna cotta, my Darling companion, picked the crema pasticciere, with an aubergine slice and chocolate sauce. How weird was that?
We fed each other, I feel my boyfriend had the upper hand, his dessert was mouthwatering, unbelievably good. Mine, delicate, almost ethereal. I had to refrain from tasting his any further.
In short, this is one of the best restaurants in La Spezia I have been to. The price was 32 euros per head, including the house wine and coffee. Well worth the price.
3. Il Ristorantino di Bayon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Pane e coperto incluso nel prezzo,il servizio e l acqua naturizzata non si paga.
Reviewed By Milo F
It's not by chance that Bayon is the #1 restaurant of La Spezia! Everything was perfect, the flavour of the food, the service, the environment, everything. What surprised me the most is that there only was one waiter and one chef, and they managed everything masterfully. The price was really good for the dinner we had, only 45€ both and we shared a calamaretti appetizer, each had a pasta dish and shared a dessert (I had a glass of wine). Really recommend to eat here if you are in La Spezia.
4. Osteria da Bartali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 801 reviews
Reviewed By c b - West Sussex, United Kingdom
We managed to get a table (as it was packed) after a short wait. The fish and seafood were excellent. A short menu but everything that we had was delicious. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying what they had too. Very quirky interior added to the charm. Service was fast and friendly. Recommended.
5. La Posta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 273 reviews
Reviewed By gabykouchacji - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We discovered this beautiful restaurant by asking someone randomly for a good choice while walking in the old city of La Spezia in Italy's Liguria region. Without hesitation, he directed us to this place.
La Posta is beautiful, well managed, and under the constant vigilant eye of its owner.
We started dinner with a small carpaccio of purple shrimp, lobster, sea bream tartare, and caviar accompanied by diced melon (delicious), and handmade butterfly pasta topped with a ragout of scorpion fish with olives and pine nuts (my guest, Rosa, raved about it).
I was tempted to try rabbit as a main course, but Rosa has a pet rabbit and said "no." So, I settled for grilled filet mignon, asking for it to be rare; it was not only rare, but extremely tender. Rosa ordered a turbot served with broccoli and potatoes with wild salmon caviar.
We ordered a bottle of chianti, and skipped dessert.
We decided to go back again, but they are closed on Sundays.
6. Osteria San Rocco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 830 reviews
Reviewed By Stephen N
Our first dinner in La Spezia was at this little restaurant.
Dishes are very original, tasty and well prepared. We had only seafood, which was of course fresh and the tuna was exceptional, cooked to perfection and extremely tasty.
The house white wine combined perfectly. All at a reasonable price (€56 for two people with a shared starter and individual desserts).
Great view and service.
7. La Locanda del Gallese
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 557 reviews
Reviewed By Sine-Wave - Fort Lauderdale
"There's no bad food in Italy," we were told dozens of times before departure, and it's true. However, in the 4 weeks we visited this country where foodies are in heaven every day, this was one of our very best meals, and that's saying a...MoreLa ringrazio per la vs recensione è una gran soddisfazione sentire queste parole , grazie ancora a presto
8. Il Picchio Rosso
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Sunday in cruises starting remain open.
Reviewed By N_Rayn - Northampton, United Kingdom
We had mixed meats, mixed cheese, and a couple of pizzas ... All good. Plenty of Italians/locals eating ... Always a good signgrazie molto
9. Hosteria Cicchetteria Marinerei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By Jmj587 - Devonport, Australia
Had the best meal in Italy here. We ordered white truffle and crab spaghetti and ravioli. We never wanted the meal to end it tasted so good. Pasta perfectly cooked and fresh. The staff - in particular, a gentleman approximately in his 40's, restored my faith in the friendliness of italian restaurant service. Very friendly and attentive, great service. Accidentally brought us sparkling water instead of still (we didnt mind) and he was so apologetic and even gave us a free glass of wine each. Must go to this place if you are ij the area!
10. Small Fry
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
We are an Italian, Massimiliano and an Irish-Australian Kate whose paths crossed. After many love smitten years we decided to act on our feelings. We bought an Piaggio Ape. We got married. We then embarked on a mighty project to convert our beloved Ape into a kitchen on wheels - 'Small Fry - Cibo di Strada' ('Street Food') was born. Serving fried fish and chips and a selection of drinks our Mission is simple - to have everyone on the Italian Riveria dining 'Small Fry' style whenever and wherever they have the chance! At Small Fry, we believe in doing a few things and doing well. Local anchovies, calamari and their perfect partner - chips, expressely fried and served directly to you. We offer food that is simple and delicious. Ligurian wine, italian beer and a range of non-alcoholic drinks are also available to compliment your tasty fry!
Reviewed By ModernistItaly - Italy
In the North East of England it was normal, for the Fish and Chip Van to come around the estate once of twice a week... Mmmmmm the beautiful smell will stay with me forever. Fast Forward to La Spezia, Italy 2014 and we have small fry recreating these smells and flavours. Wonderful food, always at convenient locations! Keep up the great work!!
