La TerrazzaCity/Region: Rome
Michelin-starred La Terrazza serves some of the city's finest cuisine, along with sweeping views over the Seven Hills of Rome and Michelangelo's dome of St Peter's. Executive Chef Adriano Cavagnini is dynamic and creative, having worked at Harrod's and cooking for the Al Fayed family, as well as for members of the British government. A seasonally changing menu includes modern Italian cuisine, fresh seafood dishes and creative flavors of the Mediterranean that are light and delicious. Reservations essential. Open for lunch and dinner daily.
Address: Hotel Eden, Via
Ludovisi 49 (Via Veneto)
Website: www.hotel-eden.it
La RosettaCity/Region: Rome
Possibly the best seafood restaurant in Rome, the cuisine at La Rosetta is world-class. A selection of marinated seafood appetizers, such as squid with ginger and French beans, is the best way to appreciate the flavors, followed by one of the superb pasta dishes dressed with fish or seafood. The menu includes almost every type of Mediterranean fish, grilled or roasted to perfection, and desserts such as the ricotta cheesecake with honey are worth saving space for. Reservations essential. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday.
Address: Via della Rosetta 8 (Piazza Navona)
Website: www.larosetta.com
La PergolaCity/Region: Rome
This sophisticated rooftop restaurant boasts a spectacular view of the city below, and has an elegant setting with candlelit tables and impeccable service. Many Roman food critics claim it is the best restaurant in the city, which is attested to by a list of regulars that includes Prince Rainier of Monaco, Bruce Springsteen and Glen Close. Food is the very best of Mediterranean haute cuisine and each dish is a work of art in presentation and taste. A sundowner at the chic cocktail bar is a fine way to start the evening. Reservations essential. Closed Sunday and Monday. Dinner only.
Address: Hilton Hotel, Via Cadlolo 101, San Pietro
Alberto CiarlaCity/Region: Rome
This is one of Rome's best fish restaurants and owner Alberto Ciarla puts priority on finding the freshest fish for the à la carte menu and the six tasting menus available. Near the entrance is a lavish display of seafood on ice. Original dishes include a variety of seafood pastas and fried, grilled or roasted fish from the Mediterranean, and the trademark sea bass fillet prepared in various special ways. Closed Sunday. Dinner only. Reservations required.
Address: Piazza San Cosimato 40, Trastevere
Agata e RomeoCity/Region: Rome
For a gourmet treat, this charming restaurant is elegant yet relaxed, run by a husband and wife team who produce outstanding Roman 'nouvelle cuisine', exceptional desserts and a fabulously stocked wine cellar. Roman specialties include broccoli pasta in skate broth, a gourmet version of a traditional vegetable soup, or sheep's cheese flan with a dried fig sauce. An Agata e Romeo taster menu allows one to sample a variety of specialties, and includes wine. Closed weekends. Reservations recommended.
Address: Via Carlo Alberto 45 (Termini)
Ai Tre ScaliniCity/Region: Rome
Small, unpretentious and serving top-quality Roman cuisine, Ai Tre Scalini is one of the nicest restaurants in the area close to the Colosseum. The small menu is a gourmet experience, from the cheeses and salamis to porchetta and cacio al coccio, complemented by the wide variety of wines on offer. Reservations required. Closed Mondays. Open from 6pm.
Address: Via SS. Quattro 30
MyosotisCity/Region: Rome
With an extensive menu that hovers between traditional and innovative, Myosotis ('forget-me-not' in Latin) focuses on top quality fresh food rather than elaborate presentation. There is a wide choice of fish that is freshly caught; the mixed fish fry, a Roman staple, is one of their best dishes. Meat dishes, pastas, seasonal vegetables, home-baked bread and desserts are all fresh and delicious, and there is a long wine list. Closed Sunday. Open for lunch and dinner.
Address: Vicolo della Vaccarella 3-5 (Piazza Navona)
Osteria dell'AngeloCity/Region: Rome
This hospitable neighborhood trattoria pays attention to good authentic cooking, and is decorated with photos of boxers and rugby players - the sporting passions of Angelo and his staff. The fixed-price dinner menu specializes in Roman dishes like nutmeg-flavored meatballs with pine nuts and sultanas, as well as pasta, meat and vegetable dishes that are all excellent. Dessert consists of biscuits that are traditionally dipped in a glass of local sweet wine. Dinner reservations are essential. Credit cards are not accepted.
Address: Via Giovanni Bettolo 24 (Vatican)
Arancia BluCity/Region: Rome
Arancia Blu offers Rome's best vegetarian fare in a trendy, friendly atmosphere. Individual dietary needs are catered for as staff assist in redesigning menu suggestions to suit everybody's tastes. The dishes are inspired by country Italian cuisines and include things like potato and mint ravioli, or eggplant parmigiana in a pastry crust. There is an excellent dessert menu and extensive wine list. Open for dinner daily. Reservations recommended. Credit cards are not accepted.
Address: Via dei Latini 55-65 (Via Veneto)
Il LeoncinoCity/Region: Rome
This tiny pizzeria is immensely popular and one of the best for the distinctive thin and crispy-based Roman pizza. The service is quick and the food delicious, including starters like crostini topped with anchovies, cheese and ham. Closed Wednesday. No lunch weekends.
Address: Via del Leoncino 28 (Piazza di Spagna)
LineadombraEnjoy sitting outside on a starry night, taking in a beautiful view of the Giudecca from the deck at Lineadombra, one of Venice's most modern restaurants. The bass fillet with potatoes and vanilla perfume comes highly recommended.
Address: Ponte dell'Umilta, Dorsoduro, 19
Website: www.ristorantelineadombra.com
Trattoria AltanellaCity/Region: Venice
Trattoria Altanella has been in the same family for 104 years and the French president, François Mitterrand, used to dine here whenever he was in Venice. However, the real attraction to this ambient trattoria is the sumptuous gnocchi, which is homemade and served with tomatoes or nero di sepia (squid ink).
Address: Calle delle Erbe, 268, Giudecca,
Harry's DolciCity/Region: Venice
Keep an eye out for this spinoff, across the lagoon from its world famous cousin, Harry's Bar. Since April or May of 2007, clientèle consists largely of well-heeled locals rather than camera-happy tourists, an in-house patisserie serving possibly the best torta cioccolata (chocolate cake) in Venice.
Address: Giudecca, 773
NaranzariaCity/Region: Venice
This very trendy wine bar, come sushi restaurant or trattoria is in the heart of the Rialto area. Try to visit this popular venue for lunch, if you go at night you'll be lucky to get a table.
Address: San Polo, 130
Website: www.naranzaria.it
Fiaschetteria ToscanaCity/Region: Venice
This perpetually well rated location is richly decorated with Venetian glass lamps, humorous prints and painted plates from various restaurants in northern Italy. Monkfish cheeks are served perfectly fried and the tiny, sweet razor clams are fittingly un-garnished.
Address: Salizzada San Giovanni
Website: www.fiaschetteriatoscana.it
Grand CanalCity/Region: Venice
Located in Calle Vallaresso, this elegant restaurant belongs to the Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal and serves traditional Venetian cuisine, including seafood and fresh vegetables. Celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been spotted dining here and, only a few meters from the Vaporetto stop, the location is both convenient and appealing, with a very romantic terrace to sit on.
Address: Calle Vallaresso, 1325
Al CovoCity/Region: Venice
This restaurant is located in the quiet Campiello della Pescaria district. While relatively new on the Venice restaurant scene, this warm and welcoming spot has quickly achieved a devoted clientèle, drawn by its ultra-fresh seafood and an impressive selection of wines.
Address: Castello, 3968
Vini da GigioCity/Region: Venice
This trattoria specializes in seafood dishes but the menu also offers a selection of meat and game. It has a warm, ambient atmosphere and the friendly proprietors offer a nice welcome to their guests.
Address: Cannaregio, 3628a
Website: www.vinidagigio.com
MadonnaCity/Region: Venice
This traditional trattoria is just a few meters from the Rialto market (a fish market), so it has a fine selection of fresh fish all year round. The majority of this restaurant's first course meals are served with seafood, such as the risotto or spaghetti with frutti di mare (seafood) or pasta with sepie (cuttlefish). Many of the day's fish are simple and delicious alla griglia (grilled).
Address: Rialto, 594
Da ClaudioCity/Region: Milan
It may be a landlocked city, but somehow Milan manages to get some of the freshest seafood in the country and Da Claudio knows how to prepare it! Affordable and stylish, this is one of Milan's finest fish eateries. Most popular is the mixed pate, consisting of raw tuna, sea bass, salmon, red snapper, sturgeon, shrimp, prawns and cod which is eating standing at the counter with a free glass of presecco (sparkling wine). Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 10pm. Closed Sunday. Reservations not accepted.
Address: Via Ponte Vetero 16
Website: www.pescheriadaclaudio.it
Ponte RossoCity/Region: Milan
With small tables dotted along the banks of a canal, this trattoria serves simple, hearty and unfussy fare. Guests can sample some Triestino cuisine by starting off with a mixed platter of cured meats called salumi friuliani, from the region famous for the most delicate prosciutto in Italy and the minestrone soup is to-die-for. Other favorites are Triestino sarde in saor (vinegar-kissed fried sardines) and for the carnivores, the manzo in salsa verde (beef in a herb sauce). Closed Sunday lunch and Wednesday dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 23
Il VerdiCity/Region: Milan
This trendy Milan eatery earned itself the distinction of spawning the city's first yuppie scene in the 90s. The clientele are still young but the menu is much more diverse, offering something for just about any taste. Favorites on the menu include risotto with pears topped with a drizzling of balsamic vinegar, and the crabmeat and avocado salads are fabulous. Diners will find the right wine to ccompany their meal as the wine list is just about as varied as the menu. Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations accepted.
Address: Piazza Mirabello 5
Premiata PizzeriaCity/Region: Milan
One of Milan's most popular pizzeria is bustling from early dinnertime until the night owls pop by for a late-night snack. The restaurant exudes a wonderfully rustic ambience with exposed copper pipes tracing across the ceilings of rooms overflowing with laughter and long, raucous tables. The wood oven pizzas are excellent while the menu of pastas and meat dishes is equally as appetizing. Open Wednesday to Monday for lunch and daily for dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: Via Alzaia Naviglio Grande 2
JoiaCity/Region: Milan
The highly carnivorous Milanese have embraced this sophisticated vegetarian restaurant and visitors will enjoy the break from the heavier menus of other eateries. The innovative creations of Swiss chef Pietro Lemman use predominantly fresh seasonal vegetables and herbs infused into pasta dishes, exciting fish dishes and some vegetable-only dishes, such as melanzani viola al vapore con finferli (steamed eggplant with chanterelle mushrooms). The cheese selection is extensive with an exciting wine list to boot, guaranteeing a wonderful night out! Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Reservations advisable.
LatteriaCity/Region: Milan
Decorated with paintings and photographs of roses and always bustling, Latteria prides itself on serving delicious homemade food. Favorites include the minestrone soup and the many variations of risotto. The menu changes daily but the owners are never too busy to explain the different dishes in this tiny restaurant. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Credit cards and bookings are not accepted.
Address: Via San Marco 24
Cracco PeckCity/Region: Milan
Linked to the Peck Store, adorned with beautifully modern décor and with masterchef Carlo Cracco at the helm, this is a fantastic choice for a night of fine dining. Serving first class starters and mouth-watering mains, this restaurant was voted one of the world's top 50 by Restaurant Magazine. Closed Sundays.
Address: Via Victor Hugo 4
Website: www.peck.it
Armani/NobuCity/Region: Milan
This eatery is the place to be seen and yet another winner in the exclusive chain of worldwide restaurants where trendoids can sample such famous dishes as black cod in misu sauce as well as sushi and sashimi while sipping on sake with gold leaf. Closed for Sunday lunch. Reservations essential.
Address: Armani World, Via Manzoni 31 (restaurant entrance at Via Pisoni 1)
Website: www.armaninobu.com
Anema e CozzeCity/Region: Milan
Famous for its Neapolitan pizzas topped with fresh seafood such as clams, mackerel, mussels and sardines, Anema e Cozze is a firm favorite in this neighborhood. It may not be Milan's most stylish restaurant, but it serves tasty affordable food and the fish infused pastas and other antipasti are also delicious. Bookings advisable.
Website: www.sebeto.it
Al Pont de FerrCity/Region: Milan
'Good cooking is the friend of living well and the enemy of a hurried life' is the welcoming quip you'll find as you open the menu. Known for its tranquil setting overlooking the canal with tables set out on the flagstones, Al Pont de Ferr is famous for its delicious fare. The paste e fagioli is a taste explosion with bits of sausage, and the tocchetti di coniglio (oven-roasted rabbit with potatoes), is a must. Or for those with a taste for cheese, order a tavolozza selection of excellent cheeses accompanied by a great selection of half-bottles of wine. Closed Sundays. Bookings recommended.
Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 55
