Those who choose Calabria as a destination will be surprised to find themselves in an extremely varied area whose cuisine features both seafood and a strong inland tradition, with flavors that go well beyond the best-known classics (’nduja and Tropea, for example). The result is a region that is unfortunately still very little known, with a culinary tradition destined to leave its mark, just like those who keep it alive.
Discovering Calabria with 15 Trattorias
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Calabria features a combination of Mediterranean seafood traditions and strong inland traditions with flavors that go well beyond the best-known classics. Here’s where you should go to taste the pure soul of this region.
Gallicianò, Condofuri
Trattoria Nizio Paleo, Gallicianò
Those who have yet to travel deep into Calabria, into the towns of Aspromonte – such as Gallicianò, where they still speak ancient Greek – cannot say they know the region. Here at the Nucera family’s trattoria, the cuisine perfectly expresses the very essence of this land with simple dishes such as ...
Bagnara Calabra
Taverna Kerkira, Bagnara Calabra
If I were asked to choose my absolute favorite restaurant, the answer is likely Taverna Kerkira. And I probably wouldn’t be the only one, because this place has some really unique features. The food here can’t be called Calabrian, nor Greek for that matter, even though the chef was born there. It ha...
Reggio Calabria
Officina del Gusto, Reggio Calabria
If Fortunato Arico didn’t exist, he would have to be invented, because if Reggio Calabria can boast of such an excellent restaurant today it’s thanks to him. The dishes offered tend toward seafood in summer and meat in winter, with a constant presence of Slow Foods, such as caciocavallo cheese from ...
Corigliano Calabro
Il Bistrot - da Patrizia Trattoria
A small family-run restaurant with honest cuisine: abundant and without frills. Try the antipasto misto (mixed starter), with a long series of dishes that demonstrate the excellent quality of this typical restaurant, as the sign outside clearly advertises. Many dishes are prepared with seasonal vege...
Pizzo
Ristorante ME
Giuseppe Romano has effected a true revolution with his incredible (and entirely deserved) rise in the restaurant world in such little time. Determined and passionate, he has renovated an old farmhouse at the seaside with his wife (and current pastry chef) and made it a place where he can merge his ...
Firmo
La Capricciosa
We are in the lively, pulsing heart of the Arbëreshë communities – descendants of Albanians who fled the Ottomans centuries ago settled – and it is in this restaurant-pizzeria that you can enjoy both a good pizza and dishes such as dromësat and, sometimes, shëtridhlat. The former are Arbëreshë dough...
San Nico
Agriturismo La Casacchella
A piece of heaven on earth: this agriturismo is immersed in a plain entirely covered with ancient olive trees, which give way to clementines as you approach the sea. The area is known as the Sibari Plain and is famous for the production of these fruits and oil of unbeatable quality. Agriturismo Casa...
Castrovillari
La Locanda di Alia
There’s no need to introduce Daniela and Gaetano Alia, who with their Locanda are a reference point for Calabrian cuisine and culture. They have prepared dishes since 1952 that are a hymn to the local land and its products, such as the soup of white poverelli beans from the neighboring Mormanno, Pol...
Scilla
Il Principe di Scilla
The location makes it worth a visit: a historic building overlooking the sea in the fishing village of Chianalea in Scilla, where meals are enjoyed in the elegant and sumptuous Salone della Principessa. Seafood is obviously served in this kitschy-chic atmosphere, with traditional and hearty dishes. ...
Il Casato
Just a stone’s throw from Il Principe, [Il Casato](https://www.ilcasatoscilla.it/restaurant/) is another historic restaurant that has been preparing amazing seafood for even longer and with a magnificent summer terrace. Local Calabrian traditions are featured, especially fresh pasta and fish dishes ...
Reggio Calabria
La Giara
At first glance, it seems to be the classic restaurant for huge baptisms and weddings where quantity wins over quality, and in part it is. But this is not the case. This restaurant in the hamlet Gallina, just outside Reggio Calabria, prepares seafood that is disarmingly good, with exquisite dishes o...
Palmi
De Gustibus
Diners also travel from afar simply to try the dishes prepared by Maurizio Sciarrone in this small inn in the town center. He offers refined dishes that are prepared to perfection, such as “stroncatura de gustibus,” as well as raw and cooked fish, which he always prepares with great skill. He has al...
Vibo Marina
Lapprodo
Looking for seafood? [Lapprodo](https://www.lapprodo.com/) is the perfect place considering they offer an incredible selection of seafood here, divided into two sections. For the more nostalgic there is the traditional section, with classic dishes that are also unbelievably good, such as the seafood...
Diamante
La Taverna del Conte
La [Taverna del Conte](http://www.latavernadelconte.it/) is located in Diamante, a town on the Calabrian coast which is famous for the chili pepper festival held every September that attracts thousands of spicy food lovers. Chef Emilio Laino has continued his passionate pursuit of the perfect blend ...
Pizzo Calabro
Locanda Toscano
A place of the heart, featuring a winning couple. She works in the kitchen and he works the dining room. Together they make this place quite welcoming. To truly understand their cuisine you need to try their tasting menu, which recounts all the flavors of Calabria in the best possible way.