Gambero Rosso

The story

Gambero Rosso, La Spezia: Ligurian Seafood in Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Ristorante Gambero Rosso stands on Piazza Marconi 7 in Vernazza, in the La Spezia area, where its Ligurian seafood kitchen ranked 12th in The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2008. Much of the menu starts with the boats that work below the village, and the restaurant turns that catch into traditional Ligurian plates.

Catch from the Vernazza boats

Anchovies come from local fishermen in the Cinque Terre, and the mussels are farmed in the Gulf of La Spezia. Guests often order the anchovy trio, marinated, plain and fried, before the first course. Most pasta is made by hand in Vernazza, and the house specialty, paccheri alla Gambero Rosso, pairs fresh red mullet fillets with tomato.

Ligurian classics with a modern touch

The cooking follows Ligurian recipes, many reworked in a more contemporary way. Trofie arrive with pesto made fresh each day, and the menu lists tagliolini all'aragosta as the recommended pasta. Gluten-free dishes are offered, and a Vermentino or Sciacchetrà DOC is the natural pairing for the meal.

A period building on the harbour

The restaurant occupies a historic building and has kept much of its original interior. Tables sit out on the piazza, facing the small harbour, which is the part guests mention most. Its earlier entry at number 50 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants in 2004 sits alongside that 2008 ranking in its record.