I checked the reviews, but did not see anything for Santa Margherita. We were hoping that there might be some suggestions for great places to eat in the area. Not something fancy just something wonderful! Thank you once again!

Trattoria Biacin is always good, and the Hotel Miramare in Rapallo serves great fresh fish. Also in Rapallo, agood local place is Pizzeria Napoli - good pizza and pasta.

I actaully wasn't thrilled with trattoria Biacin. The food was fine, nothing outstanding but I didn't think much of the woman running it. I had conversed with her about a client's wedding and there were just things about my communications with her... she wasn't at all as forthcoming or enthusiastic or generous as the other restaurant I talked to about this same wedding. This place, called “Da Michele” is in Largo Amendola and the owners were wonderful and they put a lot of care into the food. I'd recommend it over Biacin.

There really aren't any restaurants in my experience that stand out in Santa Margherita. They tend to have very similar menus and I haven't ever seen any that stand out as far as decor either.

It's been a while since I was at Biacin, so I would defer to RedRedWine, and go with her instincts.

DeAnn- We really liked Il Nostromo where we had a good mixed grill and spaghetti vongole. In fact we liked it so much we ate there twice. This was 3 years ago. I think I checked the Fodor's board for some good restaurant recommendations before I went and based on those recommendations found several good ones but Il Nostromo is the only one I remember.

I know that you requested a restaurant recommendation that was a great place to eat but not fancy. I can recommend CA'Peo in Leivi, which may fit your definition of " not fancy". But, the food is great--only the panoramic view from the restaurant, high up in the mountain town of Leivi, outdoes the food and service. Leivi is about a 30-minute drive from SantaMargherita Ligure. It should be noted though that I have not been there in a few years, but I can be prudentially certain that not much has changed since then. This is the website: www.capeo.it

Peter

I love Santa Margherita and there are several restaurants that I would recommend. It’s true that most of the menus are pretty similar – but that’s because most of what’s on the menu is local fish. Before I give my recommendations, I should say that I’m not fond of very fancy restaurants or elaborate meals. What I look for in restaurants near the sea is very fresh seafood and (if they’re in Liguria) good pesto. There’s almost nothing I’d rather eat than a perfectly cooked, very fresh branzino or orata. So, bearing the source in mind, here are some recommendations:

Da Pino, via J. Ruffini. My favorite restaurant in SML. Small and informal – only about 5 or 6 tables. Pesto and fish are very good. Limited menu, depending on what’s fresh. The people are really nice too.

La Cambusa, Via Bottaro. There are two parts to this restaurant: an outdoor part, overlooking the sea, and an indoor restaurant. This is a place to see and be seen, but also has good food. It’s absolutely essential to reserve ahead, especially for the outdoor part.

Da Ü Batti Via J. Ruffini. Very lively and popular restaurant. Extremely limited menu. Everyone orders a pasta (only two choices) and then the crayfish.

Trattoria Cesarina, Via Mameli. This has more elaborate food than the others I’ve mentioned above. No menu (if I recall correctly)-- they give you lots of little courses. Some spectacular, some just ok.

There is a somewhat fancy restaurant that I like on Via Maragliano. I think it’s La Lampara. (But it’s also possible that it’s one of Il Faro or L’ancora – I think if you check these three out, it will be clear which is the one I’m talking about). It’s somewhat sedate. Lots of well off local people eat here.

Every time I go to SML, I think about going to Baicin because so many people recommend it. But the menu seems unusually boring and the food on people’s plates (there are tables outside) never looks very good. So I’ve never been.

There's a truly wonderful pasticceria on the main drag (can't remember the name). SML seems to specialize in wonderful pastries.

If you're interested in a recommendation for something elsewhere in the area, my favorite restaurant in Liguria is Marina Piccola, in Manarola.

In nearby Camogli, Paolo's has no view but very good seafood. In particular the seafood appetizers were to die for. Paolo's is located on the street behind the "boardwalk".

Francesca,

I think everyone recommends Biacin because Rick Steves recommends it. To me that doesn't mean much. He is good for some things but he is not a gastronome!

Thanks very much for your list - I appreciate getting your input!

La Lampra would be my suggestion. We have eaten here several times on different trips and it was always very good. It is not fancy, but a casual little place.