Best Restaurants and Local Cuisine in Livorno for Cruise Travelers. Cacciucco and Traditional Cuisine. Reviews: Gennarino, Il Tegolo, Osteria del Mar, Tratoria da Galileo.
Cruise travelers that enjoy tasting the local cuisine when in port will have a great treat in Livorno. Cacciucco is the most famous traditional dish but there are other flavors to enjoy. And there are excellent restaurants to savor the traditional recipes of Livorno.
The Best Restaurants
Considering that Livorno cuisine is famous for seafood and fish dishes, Il Tegolo, Gennarino, Osteria del Mare and Trattoria da Galileo are on the top of our list as the best in Livorno. Although excellent in their sea creatures’ cuisine, all of them serve equally fabulous meat dishes and pasta but do not think about ordering a pizza on any of these. Be aware that because these are some of the best and well-known restaurants in Livorno, the cruise traveler may be mingling with local business people.
Important to Note:
Because it is very unlikely that the cruise ship passenger will stay an overnight in Livorno, the Editor only selected restaurants that open for lunch (although many also open for dinner). Therefore many famous and popular restaurants that only open for dinner have been left out. The restaurant listing on these pages aims to be a balanced and experienced selection of over 400 restaurants in Livorno and surrounding areas - focusing on the ones in or closer to both the historical city center or highlighted attractions.
GENNARINO
(Classic Excellence) - $$ to $$$
A must in the City Center, it has a classy décor with a warm Tuscan touch, serving excellent traditional cuisine with great service and fabulous wine list. Both appetizers and desserts are as affordable as delicious; The Cacciucco is cooked in a traditional modern style at €21.00 (per person).
Ristorante Gennarino
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE: | City Center |
|---|---|
| Prices: | Antipasti: €7.00 to €9.00 Mains: €10.00 to €20.00 Desserts: €4.50. |
| Open: | Lunch: 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm Dinner: 7:30 pm - 10:15 pm |
| Closed: | Wednesday |
| Address: | Via Santa Fortunata, 11 |
| Phone: | Fixed: 0586 88 80 93 |
| Website: | www.ristorantegennarino.it |
| Nearby: | Mercatto Centrale, Via Grande, Duomo, Via Madonna, Synagogue. |
| Notes: | The house wine is great and affordable - served in 1/4 , and 1/2 litter pitcher. English is both well spoken and understood. |
IL TEGOLO
(Oysters and Fresh Fish) - $$ to $$$$
One of the best restaurants in Livorno it has a great service - young and friendly - but is on the high-priced side. Il Tegolo recipes focus on oysters and champagne but also with an excellent wine list for fabulous fresh fish dishes. It has a very classy ambiance with an old style character.
Il Tegolo, Interior
Photo Credit: Management
| WHERE: | North of Piazza Repubblica |
|---|---|
| Prices: | Never less than €25.00 - up to €50.00. |
| Open: | Everyday. Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm Dinner: 7:00 pm - 1:00 am |
| Address | Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, 10 |
| Phone: | Fixed: 0586 21 94 05 Mobile: +39 333 58 97 513 |
| Website: | www.iltegolo.com |
| Nearby: | Piazza della Repubblica, Fortezza Vecchia, Sacred Art Museum. |
| Notes: | On the way to Il Tegolo the cruise ship passenger will have to pass by the Piazza Repubblica and into Piazza Garibaldi, both offering very nice views of the Fortezza Nuova |
OSTERIA DEL MARE
(Nautical Tastes) - $$ to $$$
Typical Italian fish and seafood at its best with a unique décor - two small rooms with a tavern like, rustic maritime atmosphere. The highest quality of fish is the catch of day (go for whatever is recommended as it always the fresher).
Osteria del Mare
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE: | City Center - South of Porto Mediceo |
|---|---|
| Prices: | Between €25.00 and €40.00 |
| Open: | Lunch: 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm Dinner: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm |
| Address: | Borgo dei Cappuccini, 5 |
| Phone: | Fixed - 0586 88 10 27 |
| Nearby: | Fosso Reale, Quattro Mori Monument, Porto Mediceo. |
| Notes: | Slightly of the beaten track, is a place to go when exploring the southern are of the Porto Mediceo or if docked at this spot. |
TRATTORIA DA GALILEO
(Old Fashion Flavors) - $$ to $$$
Doesn't look like much from the outside but the walls filled with photos of international celebrities that have eaten at Da Galileo speaks for the fame of this restaurant that has managed to keep its authenticity in despite of the glamorous guests. One of the best (and largest) served Cacciucco in Livorno - Appetizer, Cacciucco, Wine, Dessert and Coffee for around €30.00 per person.
Trattoria Da Galileo
Photo © IQCruising.com
| WHERE: | City Center - East of Piazza Repubblica |
|---|---|
| Prices: | Between €25.00 and €40.00. |
| Open: | Lunch: 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm Dinner: 7:30 pm - 11:30 pm |
| Closed: | Wednesday |
| Address: | Via della Campana, 20 |
| Phone: | Fixed: : 0586 88 90 09 |
| Website: | www.dagalileo.com |
| Nearby: | Fortezza Nuova, Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza della Repubblica, Sacred Art Museum. |
| Notes: | Off the beaten track, it is a good excuse to explore the Sacred Art Museum nearby or if the cruise ship passenger wants to have a different perspective of the Fortezza Nuova. |
Al Fosso Reale
(Affordable Tradition) - $$
One of the better known restaurants in Livorno, it still keeps a 'popular' clientele but is really targeting a higher end. In recent years, great care has been put into the decoration and it has a modern, colorful interior. The good news is that prices have not been increased and it is still affordable to taste excellent and traditional Livorno cuisine.
Al Fosso Reale
Photo © IQCruising.com
| Where: | City Centre - East of Piazza Repubblica |
|---|---|
| Prices: | Between €20.00 and €35.00 per person |
| Open: | Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Dinner: 7:00 pm - 11:30 pm |
| Closed: | Thursday |
| Address: | Scali delle Cantine, 52-54 |
| Phone: | Fixed: 0586 88 84 74 |
| Website: | www.alfossorealerestaurant.com |
| Nearby: | Fosso Real, Fortezza Vecchia, Piazza della Repubblica, Sacred Art Museum. |
| Notes: | Very nice views of the Fortezza Vecchia as you walk along Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza Garibaldi. |
Local Cuisine and Traditional Flavors
Livorno is well known for its fish and seafood dishes and in particular the "Cacciucco" (a soup made of various sea creatures, wine, tomato, hot peppers and garlic). Naturally, several restaurants serve seafood and fish dishes almost exclusively, and many have the famous Cacciucco in their menu.
Another local flavor not to be missed is the "Livorno Punch", which was inspired by the English punch, traditionally made with tea, lemon, cinnamon, sugar and brandy. It goes pretty well with "Torta di Cecci" - a sort of pancake made of chickpea flour.
The Torta can also be served in a Focaccia bread or a roll and becomes know as "Cinque e Cinque", referring to the original price - 5 Cents for the Torta + 5 Cents for the bread.
The Three Cacciucco Recipe Variations:
Traditional - the various types of fish are cooked in the same pan although adding each type according to its consistency and cooking needs. The resulting flavor blends the different tastes of the different types of fish and seafood.
Traditional Modern - each type of fish and seafood is cooked separately, depending on its consistency and kind of flesh. The resulting combination of flavors enhances the difference in taste and texture between the different kinds of fish and seafood used.
Livorno people are so proud of Cacciucco that there is even a official website dedicated to this traditional dish - www.cacciucco.org.
