Eating Out in Abruzzo
Because there's no mass international tourism in this part of Abruzzo, there are no 'tourist restaurants' serving indifferent food at high prices. Most of a restaurant's clientele will be local, so it has to serve good food at good value for money.
If it doesn't, it won't survive, because people will just go somewhere else. It's as simple as that.
So you'll enjoy eating out in Abruzzo - and for much less than you're probably used to paying for a restaurant meal at home.
You'll also be spoiled for choice. So to help start you off, we've put together a list of our Top-30 restaurant and bar recommendations.
We’ve updated and revised out Top-30 recommendations for 2010 and have sampled them all.
So you'll enjoy eating out in Abruzzo - and for much less than you're probably used to paying for a restaurant meal at home.
You'll also be spoiled for choice. So to help start you off, we've put together a list of our Top-30 restaurant and bar recommendations.
We’ve updated and revised out Top-30 recommendations for 2010 and have sampled them all.
Many - especially those local to Villasfor2 - are places you wouldn't normally come across on your Abruzzo holiday.
We've also added two restaurants we haven't tried - the deluxe duo of Il Reale in Rivisondoli and Villa Maiella in Guardiagrele - which have both received top ratings from major international guides.
Such is the sheer choice of Abruzzo restaurants, we’ve hardly scratched the surface of good places to eat and drink. If you come across one we haven’t mentioned, please tell us. We’d love to try it !
Our Top 30 – Eating Out Locally
Casoli, Sant'Eusanio, Guardiagrele and Selva are all close-by; Piane d'Archi and Fara San Martino only a little further.
Among our recommendations…
Our two personal local favourites are Lu Piccione in Sant'Eusanio and La Cena in Piannibbie. They couldn't be more different. Lu Piccione is our nearest bar/trattoria, run by our good friend Paolo. All our guests love it.
In contrast, La Cena is where to go locally for a special meal. It's smart - but not dressy - and you'll eat wonderfully good Italian food. Again our guests have given it rave reviews
Dal Ghiottone in Piane d'Archi serves the best local pizzas in the nicest atmosphere. Not too far behind (and nearer) is Il Bosco delle Meraviglie - World and European Pizza Champions in 2005 (honestly !) - in Selva di Altino.
You’ll get good Abruzzo food at La Quercia in Piane D’Archi - our best local traditional agriturismo. In summer, La Taverna on the shores of Lago di Casoli is good for lunch.
Our Top 30 – Special Favourites
Lanciano’s only about half-an-hour away from Villasfor2 – and so is the coast with its huge choice of seafood restaurants – including our pick of the bunch, La Sirenella in Fossacesia Marina.
Among our recommendations…
Top of the list has to be the marvellous Ai Vecchi Sapori in Lanciano. It's our very favourite Abruzzo restaurant. Inside, it's all open-plan, so you can watch chef Davide Rapino cooking your meal ! The hot and cold antipasti misti alone are worth the journey.
The Agriturismo del Sole - a little over 30 mins away in Torino di Sangro - is easily the best agriturismo we've tried so far. The food is magnificent. The downside is they're only open Thursday dinner - Sunday lunch.
Our Top 30 – Worth the Trip
Pescara’s an hour north of us – maybe a bit far to go just for a meal, but if you’re having a day out here, couple it with a visit to one of the restaurants we recommend.
Among our recommendations...
Start by spoiling yourself with an award-winning cocktail at Berardo or a spot of retro nostalgia across the road at Camplone, before continuing the retro theme at Taverna 58.
Or just round the corner from Taverna 58 in Via delle Caserme is La Lumaca, with their own updated take on the Italian 'slow food' tradition.
In the opposite direction, Pescocostanzo is an hour south of Villasfor2. The much-praised, Michelin-starred Il Reale in Rivisondoli is close-by - but we'll stick by our two choices in Pescocostanzo - which give you two distinct options.
La Corniola - restaurant of the 5-star Relais Ducale Hotel. Smart, classy, pricey (but no probems just ordering some wine and pasta); and Da Paolino - everyone's idea of what a really great Italian restaurant should be like. So popular in fact, that they've now opened an annexe across the way from their original bustling, friendly, vibrant place.
Both are particularly good for lunch.
And you can't leave Pescocostanzo without a coffee and pastry, (or a drink - perhaps one of their incredible range of Scotch whiskies), at the American Bar in the Piazza Municipale.
We've also added two restaurants we haven't tried - the deluxe duo of Il Reale in Rivisondoli and Villa Maiella in Guardiagrele - which have both received top ratings from major international guides.
Such is the sheer choice of Abruzzo restaurants, we’ve hardly scratched the surface of good places to eat and drink. If you come across one we haven’t mentioned, please tell us. We’d love to try it !
Our Top 30 – Eating Out Locally
Casoli, Sant'Eusanio, Guardiagrele and Selva are all close-by; Piane d'Archi and Fara San Martino only a little further.
Among our recommendations…
Our two personal local favourites are Lu Piccione in Sant'Eusanio and La Cena in Piannibbie. They couldn't be more different. Lu Piccione is our nearest bar/trattoria, run by our good friend Paolo. All our guests love it.
In contrast, La Cena is where to go locally for a special meal. It's smart - but not dressy - and you'll eat wonderfully good Italian food. Again our guests have given it rave reviews
Dal Ghiottone in Piane d'Archi serves the best local pizzas in the nicest atmosphere. Not too far behind (and nearer) is Il Bosco delle Meraviglie - World and European Pizza Champions in 2005 (honestly !) - in Selva di Altino.
You’ll get good Abruzzo food at La Quercia in Piane D’Archi - our best local traditional agriturismo. In summer, La Taverna on the shores of Lago di Casoli is good for lunch.
Our Top 30 – Special Favourites
Lanciano’s only about half-an-hour away from Villasfor2 – and so is the coast with its huge choice of seafood restaurants – including our pick of the bunch, La Sirenella in Fossacesia Marina.
Among our recommendations…
Top of the list has to be the marvellous Ai Vecchi Sapori in Lanciano. It's our very favourite Abruzzo restaurant. Inside, it's all open-plan, so you can watch chef Davide Rapino cooking your meal ! The hot and cold antipasti misti alone are worth the journey.
The Agriturismo del Sole - a little over 30 mins away in Torino di Sangro - is easily the best agriturismo we've tried so far. The food is magnificent. The downside is they're only open Thursday dinner - Sunday lunch.
Our Top 30 – Worth the Trip
Pescara’s an hour north of us – maybe a bit far to go just for a meal, but if you’re having a day out here, couple it with a visit to one of the restaurants we recommend.
Among our recommendations...
Start by spoiling yourself with an award-winning cocktail at Berardo or a spot of retro nostalgia across the road at Camplone, before continuing the retro theme at Taverna 58.
Or just round the corner from Taverna 58 in Via delle Caserme is La Lumaca, with their own updated take on the Italian 'slow food' tradition.
In the opposite direction, Pescocostanzo is an hour south of Villasfor2. The much-praised, Michelin-starred Il Reale in Rivisondoli is close-by - but we'll stick by our two choices in Pescocostanzo - which give you two distinct options.
La Corniola - restaurant of the 5-star Relais Ducale Hotel. Smart, classy, pricey (but no probems just ordering some wine and pasta); and Da Paolino - everyone's idea of what a really great Italian restaurant should be like. So popular in fact, that they've now opened an annexe across the way from their original bustling, friendly, vibrant place.
Both are particularly good for lunch.
And you can't leave Pescocostanzo without a coffee and pastry, (or a drink - perhaps one of their incredible range of Scotch whiskies), at the American Bar in the Piazza Municipale.
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You can't go home from your Abruzzo holiday without eating a pizza ! The best are cooked in a traditional wood-burning oven. Our two recommended pizzerias both cook their pizzas this way. Taste the difference !
The Adriatic coast is lined with seafood restaurants serving typical dishes like Linguine with Frutta di Mare - though there'll be infinite little variations in sauces and types of fish and pasta used to ensure that the version you eat will be 'unique'. No grated parmesan with this pasta dish as Italians consider that parmesan and fish don't go well together !
Risotto's an all-time Italian home-cooking favourite - but not found on many restaurant menus as it's a labour-intensive dish to prepare. However, you will find it on the menu at our local recommendation La Cena.
An Abruzzo staple - char-grilled meat. Always a choice of steak, veal, lamb, pork and Abruzzese sausages. Or if you're really hungry, the full works in a mixed grill.