Located in the Liguria region of Northern Italy right on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, the city of Rapallo is one of the Italian Riviera’s hidden gems. While enjoying this coastal town, travelers can indulge in the delicious cuisine of the area, characterized by fresh, locally caught seafood, seasonal garden vegetables, and fresh, handmade pasta. These staple ingredients are accented by regional flavorings such as freshly picked herbs, citrus from nearby lemon groves, nuts, such as pine nuts and walnuts, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil.

Whether looking for light and airy dishes that reflect the freshness of the nearby sea or searching for Ligurian comfort food, there is something for everyone in Rapallo.

APPETIZERS

For appetizers in Rapallo, travelers will nearly always find a basket of fresh baked focaccia flatbread on the table. A local favorite, focaccia is a perfect for a variety of appetizers, including cured meats and local cheeses. Crostini with seafood and pairings of local ingredients, such as olives, cheeses, and vegetables are also common in the area.

FIRST COURSE

When it comes to the first course in Rapallo, travelers can expect delicious, handmade pasta with flavorful sauces that have a Ligurian spin.

When dining in the Italian Riviera, some classic pasta dishes include ravioli stuffed with seafood like snapper, lasagne al pesto (thin pasta sheets filled with pesto and cheese), and trofie (thin, twisted pasta) served with pesto.

The quintessential stuffed pasta from the area is called pansoti. A must-have on Sunday tables in Liguria, this dish encapsulates the spirit of food in Northern Italy – fresh, handmade, simple, and flavorful. Pansoti are stuffed with the classic herb mix of the area called prebuggiùn along with a local cheese called prescinsêua, which resembles ricotta cheese. The herb mixture can be replaced with greens such as spinach, chard, or endive as well. Pansoti are often served with salsa di noci, a flavorful sauce made with walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, and bread soaked in milk.

For added flavor, pasta dishes can be served with a variety of sauces such as cheese sauces, balsamic cream sauces, seafood sauces, and toppings such as shaved cheese and truffles.

SECOND COURSE

With its location right on the coast, Rapallo’s cuisine is heavily influenced by seafood. The main protein in most second courses in the seaside town is seafood-based. From fried, salted cod to mussel gratin to dishes made with octopus, calamari, clams, anchovies, and other varieties of fish, seafood is the base of many second course dishes in Rapallo.

In addition to seafood, the locals also enjoy other meats, namely rabbit. A classic rabbit dish in the region is called coniglio alla ligure and it is made by cooking rabbit with taggiasche olives, wine, rosemary, and pine nuts.

The area also features many vegetarian dishes that highlight the local produce, herbs, and spices. Some common vegetarian dishes include savory pies filled with spinach, zucchini, or other vegetables, and baked eggplants layered with tomatoes and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

SIDE DISHES

A classic light side dish in the region is prebuggiùn, an herb mixture made of wild herbs from nearby farms, fields, country roads, and fasce (mountainsides), sautéed with garlic and anchovies. The herb mixture is a signature flavor of cuisine from the Italian Riviera and is often used in other ways throughout the meal in stuffed pies, ravioli, pasta dishes, and more.

STREET FOOD

Walking the streets of Rapallo, travelers simply must stop to taste the region’s most famous bread, focaccia. In addition to the classic focaccia alla genovese, which originates from Genoa and is only topped with extra virgin olive oil and salt, there are bakeries in Rapallo that serve up focaccia col formaggio. This decadent snack consists of handmade focaccia flatbread stuffed with melted stracchino cheese. Focaccia can also be found with other toppings as well, such as onions or tomatoes. There’s no better snack to enjoy during a day full of sightseeing in the Italian Riviera.

DESSERT

While travelers will find quintessentially Italian desserts at local pastry shops, the true star of dessert in Rapallo is its artisan gelato. The town is known for its top gelato parlor, located near the castle. As one of the top gelaterie in Italy, travelers will delight in the delicious, all-natural confections. Made without artificial ingredients or stabilizers, the gelato in Rapallo is just sweet enough without being overpowering, so everyone can taste the purity of the delectable ingredients.

There are also several cookies that are staples of Ligurian cuisine. One example is baci, which consists of two disc-shaped cookies joined together by a chocolate cream. The original baci are said to originate from Albenga, but each town in Liguria seems to put its own twist on the cookie.

Canestrelli are another local favorite. These light cookies have the shape of a flower and are made with butter, flour, eggs, and sugar. The final touch is a dusting of powdered sugar on top of each cookie.

WINE

The Italian Riviera is home to a few DOC wines as well as some great regional varietals. Both white and red grapes are grown in the region, producing excellent wines that pair well with Ligurian cuisine. Some of the region’s whites include Vermentino, Pigato, and Lumassina. Reds include Rossese, Ormerasco, and Granaccia.

Rapallo is home to various bars and restaurants at which travelers can enjoy local wines or a relaxing aperitivo while admiring views of the sea and the castle.

Throughout the city, travelers can find gourmet food shops with vast selections of top-of-the-line foods and wines. Most stores feature hundreds of varieties of wine to choose from, guaranteeing every wine connoisseur will find the perfect bottle to enjoy.