Borgorosso
At the entrance of Guardavalle Marina
For about thirty years, local Guardavalle dishes, fish and wood-fired pizza: the most cited name in the area.
Where to eat in Guardavalle Marina
Calabrian home cooking, Ionian fish and an aubergine that is taken very seriously here.
What people eat here
Guardavalle cooking is the farm cuisine of the Ionian coast: seasonal vegetables, pulses, artisan cured meats like soppressata, pecorino cheese, homemade bread and extra virgin oil from the olive groves that slope towards the sea. On the coast, fresh Ionian fish joins the table.
The signature product is the aubergine, celebrated for over thirty years with its own festival: order it stuffed, as parmigiana or in polpette. And in your glass try Guardavalle, the native white grape named after the town: it gives straw-coloured wines with a note of toasted hazelnut.
Order at least once
Melanzane chine
The traditional stuffed aubergines, the town's signature dish.
Maccarruni i' casa
Homemade fresh pasta, celebrated every summer by the Pasta e Casa Day.
Ionian fish
In the seafront restaurants, according to the catch of the day.
Soppressata and pecorino
The farm-tradition board, with homemade bread.
Guardavalle white wine
The town's native grape, on its own or in blends.
New wine on Saint Martin's Day
On 11 November, with cured meats, as the feast demands.
The names that come up
These are the places people mention most between the Marina and the old town. Openings and management change, especially off season: a phone call before you go saves the evening.
Bella Mbriana
Via Nazionale 130, Marina
Neapolitan pizzeria at the Marina.
Il Portico
Via Lungomare, Marina
Historic hotel and restaurant on the promenade.
Agriturismo Fassi
Pietrarotta area, towards the hills
Large farm stay with a farm-cooking restaurant and the rural life museum next door.
Agriturismo Donna Stella
Guardavalle countryside
Farmhouse cooking in the countryside.
Other names to watch
Between Marina and old town
La Cuccagna in Piazza Carmine up in the old town (local dishes and pizza), Villa Paradiso, Le Balle del Mastro: ask the locals, they always know where the good food is that week.
Within half an hour
This coast hides kitchens worth the drive, from Soverato to Roccella and up into the hill villages. A selection with at least two independent endorsements across national guides, food press and review platforms: always book ahead, especially in summer.
Right next door
Excalibur
5 minS. Caterina Marina · Fish and pizza
Raw seafood and grouper ravioli with Ionian views: the reference point of the next marina over.
L'Ormeggio
7 minMonasterace Marina · Fish
The fish place of the next town, from clam spaghetti to swordfish.
Locanda Cocintum
10 minPunta Stilo, Monasterace · Farmhouse cooking
A rustic farmhouse behind the lighthouse, inside the Kaulon archaeological area: produce from their own farm.
Northwards, up to Soverato
Catojo dello Spinetto
18 minBadolato old town · Creative local
An old oil store with a terrace over the village: a fixed menu that changes daily, loved by the food press.
Bacco & Stocco
18 minBadolato old town · Stockfish
A tiny place in the alleys, single-minded about stockfish tasting menus.
Il Saraceno
15 minIsca Marina · Fish and pizza
Dinner in a garden among olive trees, with seafood that plays with citrus and bergamot.
Forchetta & Scarpetta
20 minDavoli Marina · Fish and pizza
Seafront, generous fried platters and fair prices.
Paradise
22 minSan Sostene Marina · Fish and pizza
A family stalwart since 1988, from raw seafood to desserts.
Hostaria
30 minMontepaone Lido · Fish
Small and refined, with a garden: a gem of the Catanzaro coast.
Riviera
26 minSoverato · Fish, fine dining
Since 1957 and in the Michelin Guide for over fifteen years: raw seafood, shellfish and the Soverato prawn.
Brezza Fish & Chill
26 minSoverato · Casual seafood
The casual spot of Michelin-starred chef Luca Abbruzzino: signature seafood rolls praised by Gambero Rosso.
Da Paolino
26 minSoverato · Fish, natural wines
Fresh fish and a natural wine list on Corso Umberto.
Osteria Il Frantoio
28 minSoverato Superiore · Traditional osteria
In an old olive mill in the upper village: Calabrian land and sea.
A la Villa
28 minSoverato Superiore · Contemporary pizzeria
Listed among 50 Top Pizza's Excellent Pizzerias: contemporary doughs on a small square.
Abissi
26 minSoverato · Fish
Elegant, with raw seafood and first courses at the top of the town's rankings.
Southwards, down to Roccella
Ristorante Federica
13 minRiace Marina · Fish
A terrace over the sea and Mediterranean-style fish: Riace's reference table.
Jungi Mundu
15 minCamini · Community pizzeria
The cooperative pizzeria of the welcome village, local and Syrian cooking side by side: a story told by Gambero Rosso.
Il Ristoro del Viandante
20 minFocà, Caulonia · Farm stay
Family-run, with everything zero-km and grown around the property.
Chacarita
18 minCaulonia Marina · Restaurant pizzeria
A wood-fired oven right on the Ionian shore.
La Cascina 1899
25 minRoccella Jonica · Fish, upscale
A late-1800s farmhouse among bergamot trees: the most cited restaurant of the Locride.
Tenuta Pietra di Fonte
27 minRoccella Jonica · Charming farm estate
A 17th-century estate, organic ingredients from the farm and modern technique.
Sciabaka
25 minRoccella harbour · Harbour seafood
On the pier of the Porto delle Grazie: fried seafood, crudo and seafood rolls.
In the hills
Gli Antichi Sapori
19 minStilo · Trattoria pizzeria
Handmade pasta and generous portions in the village of the Cattolica.
La Vecchia Miniera
35 minBivongi · Mountain trattoria
On the ruins of an old mine washery in the Stilaro valley: the historic base for the Marmarico falls.
Indicative driving times from the Marina. Management, closing days and seasons change: always call ahead.
Food festivals
On 18 August the old town hosts the Aubergine Festival, with stalls from 8 pm and live music. In summer the Pasta e Casa Day celebrates homemade pasta between the old town and the promenade, and on 11 November Saint Martin's Day brings new wine and cured meats.
Sleep a few steps from the beach
Casa Morello is our seafront B&B: apartments of 80 or 160 square metres, made for families and groups.
The B&B