Albissola

This is a medium sized coastal town, just the other side of Savona. Albisola Marina is the section around the bay on the West side.

Da Mario ai Cacciatori (Via Bigliati 70) Tel 019-481640
(7) This is on the land side of the Aurelia coastal road in Albissola Marina. However, you can get a nice view across the road to the bay from the large open terrace on the corner on the first floor. Downstairs is a large distinctively styled room, with comfortable couch seating round two sides. The restaurant has been there for decades and is family run - hence it is friendly and they take a pride in the food. In the winter they have frequent themed gastronomic evenings, often with live music (ask to be put on the mailing list). For the special evenings there is a reasonable fixed price, but eating from the menu is quite expensive though reasonable value given the quality of the food. <tooc, Nov 2007>

Fiore (Corso Ferrari 7) Tel 019-485948
(5) This popular restaurant/pizzeria is on the north side of the coastal road on a corner where the river meets the sea. There are some rooms inside as you enter, and another plus an open terrace on the first floor. They make their own beer (three different types) and serve excellent pizzas, with the option of having the base made with farro (spelt). The seafood is also good. Although this is in what appears to be rather a dingy location, it is worth a visit if you are over that way. <tooc, July 2008>

La Locanda di Nonna Teresa (Via N.Rosselli 27, Ellera) Tel 019.49009
(5) This is in the small town of Ellera, about 6 km inland - come off the autostrada, bear left and follow the signs. Just as you come in to Ellera, before the bend to the right, the restaurant is down on the left, adjacent to a small piazza where you can park. There is a bar as you go in, where you will be welcomed and offered a table in the large room behind. It is a popular venue, and at lunch time many of the local workers will be enjoying a meal of typical local dishes. There is an antipaso of cold meats, beans, and cheese which you can follow with the standard range of pasta dishes and a secondo chosen from one of a number of meat dishes. The deserts are home made, including the ice cream (recommended!). At the end you will be astonished when they deliver an enormous brown bottle of grappa to the table for you to sample as you wish (and at your peril!). There is a good atmosphere here, and the price is reasonable. If you like food of the style that 'grandma' would have cooked, then you will like it here. (A piece of advice: drink plenty of water, because the food is quite salty). <tooc, March 2007>