Eating Out in Genoa

San Lorenzo Church

Genoa is one of the most important town for what it is known as the "Mediterranean cuisine". Genovese cooking is based mainly on the natural products that have always existed in the area which strecthes between the mounatins and the sea. Many dishes are based on many types of the Ligurian sea fish food. On example is the "Zuppa di pesce" a kind of soup with rock fish and mussles. In Genoa fish is still "fished", in the sense that - apart from the molluscs nowadays cultivated everywhere - it is obtained through the ancient way, throwing the nets into the sea and not using farmed fish. Quality varies depenfing on the season. Wines of getting rare, you can ask for the Coronata, one of the best, it is a delicious mixture of grapes with sunshine and salty air.

Other typical dishes around the area are: the Recco cheese focaccia - a simple kind of pizza but very taste, the Pasqualina beet greens pie, the Genoa style stuffed cima, the fried pumpkin flowers, Ravioli and Panzerotti with walnut sauce or pansoti, the chickpea pie. But the entire area is probably best known around the world for that tiny nice green plant called "Basil" from which comes out the real thing: the Pesto. It seems easy to make this particular sauce. Infact we are only talking about a sauce. You must have "Basil" plant, oil, and pecorino cheese. Some variants uses parmisan cheese ore other small different components to add different taste. But it is perhaps the water, the soil, the salty air that makes the difference. You have to cut it in little pieces and then treat it until you reach the state of a sauce. You can than add it to almost every kind of pasta. This sauce is so good and tasty that some of it is exported all over the world.

Last - but not least - take a taste of the many home-made type ice cream. No matter where - obviously some places like "Balilla" are very famous for the variety of tastes - just get it. After a long walking around you deserve it.

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May 09, 2005 change by giorgio

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Trattoria da Maria

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Also known as "la sucida" by the Genovese people.

It's a great place for a very reasonably priced traditional meal. Definitely one of your best bets if you want to try Genovese cucina casalinga (home style cooking). Don't expect a five star ambience or a tourist packed place - this is where the locals go for a hearty meal.

Trattoria Da Maria Cucina Casalinga
16100 Genova (GE) - Vico Testadoro, 14/R. 010 581080

type:	Italian
World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	+39 010 581080
address:	Vico Testadoro, 14/R Genova

Trattoria Ugo

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Trattoria Ugo is very similar to Trattoria da Maria, but just a tad bit "classier". Same great traditional Genovese cooking, but the decor is slightly less rustic. This trattoria is also very reasonably priced, and should be a definite stop for anyone travelling through Genova who is interested in tasting some quality Genovese food.

Hours: 12-14.15, 19.30-22
Closed Sunday and Monday

type:	Italian
World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	+39 010/2469302
address:	Via dei Giustiniani 86/r,
email:	prosperino@libero.it

Ristorante Manuelina

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The Ristorante Manuelina is an upscale version of the same owners' nearby Focacceria. Both have the famous "focaccia al formaggio", which is a must eat if you are in the area. Manuelina is perhaps the most famous place for focaccia al formaggio (it was invented by Manuelina herself in the late 1800s), and of course has many other things to eat. Good quality, but a little overpriced. You can definitely find cheaper "focaccia al formaggio" elsewhere, but it won't be Manuelina's.

Recco (Recco is just outside Genoa heading towards Portofino)

type:	Local
World66 rating:	[rate it]
tel:	Tel. 0185/74128-75364
url:	www.manuelina.it
address:	Via Roma, 278
email:	manuelina@manuelina.it

Trattoria Enoteca "I tre merli",

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Very amusing place. A large selection of wines ("enoteca" means place were you find a collection of wines). They started as a typical rough place and now they have even a branch in New York.

type:	Local
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address:	Corso Magenta, 3r

Ristorante "Zeffirino",

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In the centre but in a nearby quiet entrance of the main Via XX Settembre. Probably the most famous not only in Italy but in the world. Prices are high for specialities but they also have touristic combinations. Ligurian, Genoese and International cuisine.

type:	Local
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address:	Via XX Settembre 20r

Mac Donald's

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They have two places in the centre and if you are in a hurry to see all around these are good choices

type:	Local
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Trattoria Tavola Calda "Nurin",

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Situated in the Expo area is a good point to make a break and then start again the travelling around.

type:	Local
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address:	Porto antico

Trattoria Pizzeria "Bedin",

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In Dante square, near the House of C. Columbus just at the entrance of the gallery. Historical place, good choice of dishes, and a speciality of the house "Pizza al pesto". Genoese and Ligurian recipes all at a reasonable price.

type:	Local
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address:	Via Dante 54r

Ristorante Panson Dal 1790

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P.zza delle Erbe, 5r.

Tel.010/2468903

type:	Local
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Ristorante La Bitta nella Pergola

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Via Casaregis, 52r.

Tel. 010/588543

type:	Local
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