Let’s get one thing straight: the Romagna coast is fantastic. The welcome is always warm, the sandy beaches are some of the best in Italy – especially if you like nightlife – and the cuisine offers everything you can imagine. If you know where to go, you’ll be blown away. Cesenatico has two-star Michelin restaurants such as Magnolia and the historic La Buca, while Rimini boasts Guido (a rare case, as it won the star while doing business on the beach) and the wonder that is Abocar Due Cucine. Then there’s Ristorante Il Piastrino a Pennabilli, which is right on the border of the Marche region and the Apennine Mountains. But on the coast, there are also fantastic osterias, such as La Marianna and Osteria de' Borg (Rimini), Sirocco (Bellaria), Al Deserto and Emilia (Cervia), Osteria dei Murè (Cattolica), and the Bartolini family’s renowned Osteria del Gran Fritto in Cesenatico. And let’s not forget that this region is famous for the piadina, one of the most beloved Italian street foods. Here you’ll find some true masterpieces.
Tons of pasta and meat
As you can see, there’s no shortage of great places to eat. But... if you ask a native “Romagnolo” where to grab a bite, especially in the summer, they’ll tell you to go inland: 15, 30, or even 40 minutes away from the coast. Because that’s where you’ll find the least touristic part of Romagna – and at prices even better than on the shore. You’ll get nothing but the best on the table, starting with cold cuts and cheeses (the squacquerone melts in your mouth), obviously focusing on the region’s specialties. This means that there’s little to no seafood, but tons of meat (mutton, rabbit, chicken, sausages) and an impressive array of pasta: strozzapreti, tagliatelle, tortelli, ravioli, garganelli, passatelli in broth or “asciutti”… Piadine abound, served in bread baskets, while Albana, Trebbiano, and Sangiovese reign supreme in the wine selections. Hungry yet? Make a note of these ten spots that are local favorites.