One restaurant for the Italian summer

We’ve asked 68 journalists/restaurant guide contributors/writers/authors/gourmets to state their preference with regards to their ideal restaurant for the summer. The only prerequisites: to avoid restaurants that were already awarded many times and cities left deserted in August. Ideal locations would be seaside, mountain, lake, countryside destinations and also art cities.

What came out of this was a cross section that would deserve further in-depth analysis. Some trivia: with 11 mentions, Tuscany is the most popular region, followed by Campania and Sicily (with 6 mentions each).

Zenobi in Colonnella (Teramo)
Patrizia Corradetti is the happy interpreter of the traditions on the border between Abruzzo and Marche. In the space of just a few metres everything changes
(Luisa Acciarri, Identità Golose)

Locanda Martinelli in Nibbiaia (Livorno)
Mastery and simplicity. Hills overlooking the sea. For those who don’t want the usual... fish soup.
(Chiara Aiazzi, Identità Golose)

Orestorante, Isola di Ponza (Latina)
A breath-taking view is the splendid scenery of this seafood restaurant that cannot be missed.
(Francesca Barberini, tv author and presenter)

Auener Hof in Sarentino (Bolzano) and Villa Feltrinelli in Gargnano (Brescia)
Two restaurants, one reason: beauty, good food, without any heat or din.
(Camilla Baresani, Sette -Corriere della Sera)

Ariston Mare in Lido di Camaiore (Lucca)
In one of the most popular beach resorts on the coast of Versilia, quality fish and crustaceans and a spectacular view of the sea.
(Clara Barra, Gambero Rosso)

L'Oste e il Sacrestano in Licata (Agrigento), +39.0922.774736
A 100% blend of Sicily in this small restaurant in the historic centre of Licata, a place of which too little is still said.
(Roberto Bentivegna, Passione Gourmet)

Sacro Graal in Firenze
A young, fun and affordable restaurant. The latter being the best quality in these times.
(Piero Benvenuti, L'Espresso)

OpsoN in Taormina (Messina) 
Fabio Baldassarre’s cuisine with a Sicilian accent on one of the most beautiful terraces in Taormina.
(Davide Bertellini, Identità Golose)

L’Insonnia in Forno di Zoldo (Belluno)
Four brothers who used to play hockey and a menu: polenta, formai frit, meat stew, musetto, pastin and grappa. All around, the Dolomites.
(Gianluca Biscalchin, Touring)

Il Canto in Siena
Courgettes from the kitchen garden, an open lasagna and an apparently simple tiramisu, prepared in a unique, unmatched way.
(Marco Bolasco, Slow Food)

Antonello Colonna Resort in Vallefredda, Labico (Roma)
A resort with a genial architecture in the Roman countryside. True traditional cuisine, serving a fantastic free-range Chicken with peppers.
(Stefano Bonilli, Gazzetta Gastronomica) 

Osteria Garsun inMantena - Marebbe (Bolzano), +39.0474.501282
A Slow Food Osteria focused on tradition in its most genuine sense (paying little attention to the new trendy use of tradition). The krafuns, fried on the spot, are memorable.
(Giorgia Cannarella, Gazza Golosa, Dissapore)

Bikini in Vico Equense (Napoli)
A pleasant terrace right on the gulf of Naples. Simple yet careful to detail and never banal cuisine. At the door of the Sorrento Peninsula.
(Lydia Capasso, Gastronomia Mediterranea)

Osteria Le Civette in Citerna (Perugia)
Bohemian restaurant with excellent products and great satisfaction in a lovely village between Umbria and Tuscany.
(Valeria Carbone, Identità Golose)

Fradis Minoris in Laguna di Nora - Pula (Cagliari)
Inside Nora’s Laguna’s park, the perfect spot where you can enjoy freshly caught fish, cooked with creativity.
(Giuseppe Carrus, Identità and Gambero Rosso)

Da Umberto 1972 in Otranto (Lecce)
Crustaceans and molluscs caught on location and impeccably cooked. Very close to the sea, it’s perfect at lunch too, instead of a pic-nic on the beach.
(Lisa Casali, Ecocucina)

Il Caravanserraglio in Ragusa
Local fish cuisine finely elaborated and the best pizza to be found nearby. Pleasant, discreet, not too formal.
(Alberto Cauzzi, Passione Gourmet)

Enoteca La Mascareta in Venezia
A must, lost in Venetian’s alleys (calli). Mauro Lorenzon is an excellent host/sommelier.
(Tokyo Cervigni, Identità Golose and Gazzetta Gastronomica)

St. Hubertus in San Cassiano - Badia (Bz)
Is it possible to dream of a roasted turnip? Indeed it is if it comes from a magic, strongly local and mythical kitchen.
(Pietro Cheli, Amica)

Ai Ciodi in Isola di Anfora - Grado (Gorizia)
In the middle of the lagoon, freshly caught fish in an “albergo diffuso” where you can spend one or more nights.
(Giuseppe Cordioli, Identità Golose)

Il Clandestino in Portonovo (Ancona)
There’s the British Sushi but it’s great at lunchtime too, with creative sandwiches and fish lasagna. After diving into the water.
(Giulia Corradetti, Identità Golose)

Via Venti in Monterosso al Mare (La Spezia)
In the Cinque Terre, in a typical carruggio, a modern restaurant serving traditional cuisine carefully reinterpreted.
(Marianna Corte, Identità Golose)

Nastro d'Oro in Marciano-Massa Lubrense (Napoli)
Fresh fish on a panoramic terrace on the Amalfi Coast, affordable prices and courteous service. Enough to forget the almost inexistent wine list.
(Maurizio Cortese, Gazzetta Gastronomica)

La Perla del Mare in San Vincenzo (Livorno)
Seaside to be enjoyed 24 hours per day: beach resort, quick lunches or romantic dinners while the sun sinks into the Tyrrhenian Sea.
(Eleonora Cozzella, L'Espresso)

Locanda Walser in Riale - Formazza (Verbania)
Matteo Sormani is the author of an ancient and new walser cuisine in a natural context that is almost unmatched, under del hill country of the Bettelmatt.
(Luigi Cremona, Touring)

Pascucci al Porticciolo in Fiumicino (Rome)
The best fish on the Roman coast with the “plus” of the evermore assertive talent of Gianfranco Pascucci.
(Andrea Cuomo, Il Giornale)

Col Alt in Corvara (Bolzano) 
A mountain shelter in Val Badia with excellent food, a great wine list and a unique view over Sasso Croce.
(Federico De Cesare Viola, Il Sole 24 Ore)

Il Doretto in Cecina (Livorno), +39.0586.668363
A menu rich with creative offers, with an excellent quality-price ratio, in an elegant yet casual farmhouse.
(Delia Demma, Identità Golose)

Alex Bar in Lecce
There’s no sea-view but the seafood cuisine is excellent: impeccable raw fish and fish soups, wild oysters from the Ionian Sea and some fun retro inspiration.
(Fiammetta Fadda, Panorama)

Al Convento in Cetara (Salerno)
From anchovies to tuna, fresh and genuine food thanks to the “heart” of Pasquale Torrente and his family.
(Raffaele Foglia, La Provincia di Como and Identità Golose)

Marė in Cesenatico (Forlì-Cesena)
Enjoy the mastery of Omar Casali, a talented young man brought up in Giancarlo Perbellini’s kitchen. Pieds-dans-l'eau in the most beautiful beach resort in Cesenatico.
(Licia Granello, La Repubblica)

La Zanzara in Codigoro (Ferrara)
Rustic charm, simple and homely cuisine that makes eel and fish stand out in a non-frill way. The Mississippi is closer than one would expect.
(Andrea Grignaffini, Spirito diVino)

Vite in Coriano (Rimini)
A restaurant with a view over Romagna’s Riviera, from the hills behind Rimini. Here you can enjoy the best food truly traditional Romagna can offer.
(Martino Lapini, Identità Golose)

La Puritate a Gallipoli (Lecce), +39.0833.264205
The intensely blue sea of Salento and an infinite horizon, a simple yet perfect marine cuisine of the highest quality.
(Giovanni Longo, Fuoricasello)

La Palta in Bilegno (Piacenza)
Traditional and creative cuisine, in an elegant and familiar setting, surrounded by the green countryside around Piacenza.
(Lisa Marchesi, Identità Golose)

Il Vicolo del Curato in Fano (Ancona)
There’s Rome and a baby in the future of Federico Delmonte: Il Vicolo will close in mid September. Be quick, the talent is pure.
(Paolo Marchi, Identità Golose)

La Bandiera a Civitella Casanova (Pescara)
On the green hills around Pescara, a restaurant in which the tradition of Abruzzo and a correct contemporaneity live happily together.
(Nicola Massa, Identità Golose)

Le Giare in Montiano (Forlì-Cesena)
Since a few months ago, Gianluca Gorini, a disciple of Paolo Lopriore, takes care of the orphans of Il Canto.
(Alessandra Meldolesi, Identità Golose)

La Locanda del Colonnello a Modica (Siracusa)
Accursio Craparo and his great formula (lunch for 25 euros!), his dialogue with the territory, his technique and innovation. An intelligent Sicily.
(Elisia Menduni, Gazzetta Gastronomica)

U' Locale in Buccheri (Siracusa)
An old village house. The Formica brothers only use very local ingredients. You can eat well for 20 euros.
(Daniele Miccione, Gazza Golosa)

Il Bucaniere in San Vincenzo (Livorno), +39.335.8001695
Run by Fulvietto Pierangelini and Lorenzo Lunghi, this is a glass stilt-house on the beach. They offer marine and countryside food, with excellent and fresh ingredients.
(Anna Morelli, Cook_Inc)

La Corniola in Pescocostanzo (L'Aquila)
Local products refreshed with innovation in a fresh and noble village on the mountains of Abruzzo.
(Cristina Mosca, Identità Golose)

Rifugio Meira Garneri in Sampeyre (Cuneo),
Away from the masses, the mountain and its popular, unique products in the hands of a young food marvel.
(Mariachiara Montera, Identità Golose)

San Quintino Resort in Busca (Cuneo)
A contemporary cuisine full of taste in a restructured farmhouse in the Piedmontese countryside.
(Bob Noto, food photographer)

La Pineta in Bibbona (Livorno)
I enjoy eating with my feet plunged into the water in this restaurant where the fish is “caught”.
(Davide Paolini, Gastronauta, Il Sole 24Ore)

Don Camillo in Siracusa (Siracusa)
On the beautiful island of Ortigia, fish of the highest quality, both raw and cooked, made precious by a refined touch of Sicilian cuisine.
(Carlo Passera, Identità Golose)

Monte Rosa in Chiavari (Genova)
Traditional restaurant, of good quality, in a traditional family run hotel full of comfort and elegance.
(Emilia Patruno, Identità Golose)

Il Cantuccio in Buriano (Grosseto)
A true "cantuccio" (nook) in a village clinging to a mountain. Small but full of flavour. And the sea is only a few kilometres away.
(Roberto Perrone, Corriere della Sera)

Da Tuccino in Polignano A Mare (Bari)
The Mecca for raw fish lovers, a touching marine raw material.
(Bruno Petronilli, Identità Golose)

Mammà in Capri (Napoli)
The evergreen character of the Siren Land and the happy and skilful hand of Gennaro Esposito only a few steps from La Piazzetta.
(Luciano Pignataro, Il Mattino)

AltoMare Restaurant , Porto Cesareo (Lecce),
In Salento region, a creative fish-based cuisine by chef Nabil Bellari, swimmi pool and sea-view
(Mariella Piscopo, Identità Golose).

Ristorante Belforte in Vernazza - Cinque Terre (La Spezia)
Perched on terraces overlooking the sea, you can enjoy an excellent Ligurian marine cuisine. Très chic.
(Sara Porro, Dissapore)

Il Sole in Ranco (Varese),
An unforgettable terrace overlooking Lake Maggiore with a refined, tradition-inspired cuisine with a contemporary concreteness.
(Anna Prandoni, La Cucina Italiana)

Aqua di Varigotti in Finale Ligure (Savona)
A splendid restaurant on the sea of Varigotti, serving only local and sustainable fish. For a romantic dinner on the beach.
(Luca Ripellino, Identità Golose)

La Barca di Ciro, località Marina di Pulsano, Pulsano (Taranto), +39.0995.333335
Right on the sea, it offers creative dishes and traditional simple marine recipes with good raw materials.
(Vincenzo Rizzi, Il Corriere del Mezzogiorno, Identità Golose)

Fontanile dei Caprai in Capalbio (Grosseto), +39.0564.896526
In the Maremma region, between butteri cowboys and wild boars. Acquacotta, ragu, chargrilled food, cheese. Tradition close to the sea.
(Alessandra Rotondi, Identità Golose)

S'Apposentu in Siddi (Medio Campidano)
In the midst of the Marmilla area, between seas of wheat, the sprite of Sardinian cuisine gives fish and almonds the form of a new tradition.
(Fabrizio Roych, Identità Golose)

Konoba Pergola in Salvore (Istria, Croazia), +385.52.759685
Traditional look but innovative menu among the hills from which the local Strada del Vino begins, a few kilometres from the (blue flag) sea of Salvore and Umago.
(Enrico Saravalle, Identità Golose)

Il Riccio in Anacapri, Capri (Napoli), +39.081.8371380

Il Riccio in Anacapri (Napoli)
A lovely small beach resort restaurant, the branch of the 5 stars Capri Palace, with breath-taking fish and sea-view.
(Paolo Scarpellini, Identità Golose)

Osteria del Mare in Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto), +39.0564.934763
It used to be a respectable restaurant (Vòtapentole), it is now a respectable trattoria: the menu is simple and affordable, the skill and the talent of the chef are excellent.
(Antonio Scuteri, La Repubblica)

Angiolina in Pisciotta (Salerno)
A great fish trattoria a few steps from a sea rich in anchovies, mixing tradition and a modern approach.
(Luciana Squadrilli, Identità Golose)

La Pagaia in Senigallia (Ancona)
A typical port restaurant with a simple marine cuisine and some super spaghetti with clams.
(Errica Tamani, Identità Golose)

Rosario, Albos Club in Fregene (Roma)
Excellent fish (Rosario used to be a fishmonger), delicately prepared in a very organised beach resort.
(Fabio Turchetti, Il Messaggero)

Le Lampare al Fortino in Trani (Bari)
In the port of Trani, a deconsecrated church is transformed into an excellent restaurant.
(Antonio Vasile, Identità Golose)

La Vecchia Malcesine in Malcesine (Verona)
Lake fish as you had never experienced it before, on a terrace that overlooks the lake that charmed Goethe.
(Stefano Vegliani, Identità Golose)

Il Fagiano Gourmet in Gardone Riviera (Brescia)
Only ten tables, a panoramic terrace overlooking Lake Garda and a sequence of delicious dishes signed by chef Matteo Felter.
(Cristina Viggè, Grandecucina)

Savino Mongelli in Santa Vittoria d'Alba (Cuneo), +39.0172.478550
The sea, and what a sea, is all in the dishes, while the Langhe are in front of your eyes, in front of the terrace.
(Enzo Vizzari, L'Espresso)

Dattilo in Strongoli (Crotone)
Heroic cuisine from Calabria, in a secluded oasis on the Ionian coast. Creativity and generosity at affordable prices.
(Gabriele Zanatta, Identità Golose)