10 Best Places To Eat In Genoa, Italy

1. Ristorante San Giorgio - fine dining elegance and exquisite seafood

Diners find Ristorante San Giorgio through reputation and return time and time again. Listening to the knowledgeable staff pays off, as their recommendations on what is fresh and best for the day are never wrong. The seafood, in particular, is excellent. For a truly magnificent taste experience, prices are not too bad and €50 should see you full and very happy. Ristorante San Giorgio serves classic Italian, seafood, Mediterranean and there are vegetarian choices available as well.

Ristorante San Giorgio

Address: Via Alessandro Rimassa, 150r/154r, 16129 Genova GE, Italy

Website: Ristorante San Giorgio

2. Indarsena Oyster Bar

As you might expect from the name, Indarsena specialises in seafood, with oyster dishes that simply have to be tried. The restaurant is located on the pier, just by the entrance of the Museo del Mare and behind the submarine. Try the Plateau Royale, a seafood platter for two of lobster, crab, oysters and more.

Indarsena Oyster Bar

Address: Calata Andalò di Negro, 4, 16126 Genova GE, Italy

Website: Indarsena Oyster Bar

3. Zeffirino - one of Genoa's finest, with pesto that you simply have to try

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This is a beautiful restaurant, with a deserved reputation as one of Genoa’s finest. The pesto here is some of the best you’ll find, so try the mandilli al pesto for a pasta dish and you’ll remember it for a long time.

Zeffirino

Address: Via Venti Settembre, 20, 16121 Genova GE, Italy

Website: Zeffirino

4. Le Perlage - the finest in seafood in Genoa

Another example of old-school Italian fine dining, Le Perlage specialises in seafood and its fish menu is superb. The Baccala (salted cod) is a must, but to get a real taste of what they do, you should try the tasting menu, full of locally caught delicacies.

Le Perlage

Address: Via Luigi Mascherpa, 4r, 16129 Genova GE, Italy

Website: Le Perlage (in Italian)

5. Gran Ristoro - fast food Genovese style

Fine dining is a wonderful experience in Genoa, but don’t overlook the advantages of finding street food and trying the many culinary experiences available to you here. A perfect example of this is Gran Ristoro. It might look bold, brash and cheap from the outside, but the queues of locals and in the know tourists at busy times should tell you this is somewhere special. The sandwiches here are simply incredible; freshly baked paninis with a simply overwhelming choice of fillings. Enjoy the queue, savour the sights and smells and settle down by the harbour to enjoy the tastiest sandwich in Genoa, all at a budget-friendly price.

Gran Ristoro

Address: Via di Sottoripa, 27/R, 16124 Genova GE, Italy

6. Ostaietta - enjoy fine food in a local favourite

One sure sign of a great restaurant is that the locals far outweigh the tourists. Such is the case with Ostaiette, an intimate and simple restaurant serving excellent Italian dishes. It’s rarely less than full and frequented almost exclusively by local families, enjoying the excellent food and drink.

Ostaietta

Address: Via Canevari, 280r, 16137 Genova GE, Italy

Facebook: Ostaietta

7. Sa Pesta - a local favourite in the heart of old town Genoa

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Another small and simple restaurant, seemingly always packed with locals, enjoying the cheap and delicious food on offer. Sà Pesta in Genova is a truly authentic culinary treat, located deep in the heart of the old town. Try the farinata (chickpea pancake) and you’ll be planning your return trip immediately. Get there early, or expect to queue!

Sa Pesta

Address: Via dei Giustiniani 16 R, Genoa, Italy

Website: Sa Pesta (in Italian)

8. Pesto alla genovese - a Genovese speciality

Pesto alla Genovese is such a simple thing; just basil, parmigiano, pecorino cheese, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. But when you eat pesto in Genoa, your taste buds will thank you. You can eat delicious pesto and pasta everywhere in Genoa and in truth, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere that disappoints. But, for the very best pesto in Genoa, look no further than Cavour 21, another tiny restaurant packed with locals, where you can eat so well for affordable prices. No matter what you choose from the menu, be sure to try the pesto. You’ll fall in love instantly.

Cavour 21

Address: Piazza Cavour, 21, 16128 Genova GE, Italy

9. Focaccia - a Genovese staple, morning, noon and night

Forget what you might think of as focaccia, Genovese focaccia is something else. It’s eaten throughout the day in Genoa, enjoyed just as much with morning coffee as it is with a lunch appetiser or with an evening meal. And whilst you’ll be able to eat fine focaccia in many of the restaurants listed here, there’s really no substitute for picking a delicious fresh focaccia from the many bakeries (panificio) around the city as you explore. If you want to find the very best, try our two favourites: Panificio Claretta (via della Posta Vecchia) and Panificio Mario (via San Vincenzo). Each bakery will do things just a little differently and there’s a wealth of fillings to add to the delicious focaccia.

Panificio Claretta

Address: Via Posta Vecchia, 12/R 16124 Genova, Italy

Panificio Mario

Address: via San Vincenzo 61r Genova, Italy 16121

Website: Panificio Mario (in Italian)

10. And finally, there's always space in those full stomachs for Genovese gelato.

Finally, in any food experience of Genoa, there’s always going to be a place in your heart, and your stomach, for a delicious sweet treat. Genoa has so many places to sate your need for delicious gelato. But there’s one place that serves the finest gelato in Genoa and that’s the Cremeria delle Erbe. Located in the Piazza Delle Erbe, this is ice-cream heaven offers delicious light and airy gelato. You’ll be spoilt for gelato for life.

Cremeria delle Erbe

Address: Piazza delle Erbe, Genova, Italy 16123

Facebook: Cremeria delle Erbe

Grab some delicious food in Genoa

Whether you choose fine dining restaurants or simple cafes, there’s something for everyone here, no matter your tastes or budget. But don’t leave Genoa without trying the exquisite pesto alla Genovese, the wonderful all-day staple of delicious focaccia and the finest gelato in Italy.