Not only is Italy famed for its la dolce vita lifestyle, but its food is legendary, the home of delicious pastas, risottos, pizzas, and exquisitely prepared seafood and meats.

Italian cuisine is known for its elegant simplicity, allowing the flavours of each ingredient to truly shine. Aboard a luxury yacht, you can cruise some of Italy’s most refined cruising destinations, tendering ashore to dine at Italy’s best restaurants.

For those on a luxury yacht, key cruising destinations include the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque de Terre, Sicily, and Venice along the Adriatic coast. Here are the top 10 Italian restaurants at key yacht holiday destinations.

Top 10 restaurants Italian Coast

1 - Quattro Passi, Marina del Cantone, Amalfi Coast

This three Michelin-star restaurant is considered one of the top 10 restaurants in Italy and is a must-visit dining destination while cruising the Amalfi Coast. Step ashore and enjoy gastronomic dining at its finest at this historic restaurant. Quattro Passi is located on the Sorrento Peninsula and boasts sweeping views of the Gulf of Naples. For more than 40 years, the restaurant has been owned by the Mellino family, and its menu offers delicious Italian fare utilising the freshest local produce along with a superb wine menu from the restaurant’s expansive wine cellar.

2 - Torre Del Saracino, Naples, Amalfi Coast

Located right on the waterfront in Naples with views of Marina di Equa and the Bay of Naples, this superb two Michelin-star restaurant is housed in an old, fortified tower just a few metres from the sea. The restaurant is headed up by chef Gennaro Esposito, considered one of the best chefs in Campania. On the menu, diners will find a selection of captivating dishes and modern masterpieces; a world of flavours and aromas designed to engage all the senses. Cruise into Marina de Equia and immerse yourself in one of the best gastronomic experiences along Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

3 – Sensi, Amalfi, Amalfi Coast

This gourmet Michelin-star restaurant is located in the luxury Hotel Residence in the town of Amalfi. The menu focuses on classic Mediterranean fish and seafood dishes prepared with meticulous attention to detail. Diners can dine in the elegant dining room on the restaurant’s terrace with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea or at the Chef’s Table in the restaurant’s private store room, where chef Alessandro Tormolino personally takes diners on a culinary journey, including the products and flavours that have made Italian cuisine so famous.

4 - Glam Enrico Bartolini, Venice

Cruising the waters that surround Venice is a breathtaking experience. So, why not cap it off by enjoying an exceptional dining experience at one of Italy’s best restaurants? Step onto terra firma and enjoy exceptional cuisine at Glam Enrico Bartolini, a two Michelin-star restaurant headed up by chef Enrico Bartolini. Enjoy an exquisite tasting menu filled with memorable dishes of extraordinary quality, with every dish full of intense and harmonious flavours. The restaurant is located in the refined Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel. After dinner, head to the hotel’s picturesque garden for an aperitif and enjoy views of Venice’s legendary Grand Canal.

5 - Antica Osteria Cera, Lughetto

Located just a short distance from Venice, this two Michelin-star restaurant is worth going the extra distance for. Antica Osteria Cera is considered one of the best restaurants in Italy, including one of the best for exceptional fish and seafood. The minimalist style ensures your senses are focused entirely on the food, from raw fish dishes and grilled options alongside traditional Venetian and Italian specialities, such as spider crab and fritto misto. Every dish is carefully crafted to ensure the excellent quality of the ingredients shines through. Alongside the delicious menu, diners will also find a superb selection of wines, with a particular focus on white wines.

6 – Locanda Tamerici, Fiumaretta di Amgelia

Enjoy top-quality Mediterranean cuisine at this elegant Michelin-star restaurant in Fiumaretta di Ameglia along the Cinque de Terre, just north of Pisa. Locanda Tamerici is known for its exceptional local fish dishes, expertly prepared by chef Mauro Ricciardi. Dine in the restaurant’s newly refurbished dining room or in the picturesque garden, where you can enjoy the gentle breeze from the sea.

7 – Impronta d’Acqua , Cava di Lavagna

Located along Italy’s stunning Italian Riviera, this Michelin-star restaurant is located right on the seafront in Cava di Lavagna and boasts a menu of dishes made from regional ingredients with new culinary techniques. Expect locally caught fish, high-quality meats from local producers, and dishes infused with fragrant herbs. Impronta d’Acqua is run by owner-chef Ivan Maniago and offers a delightful setting for an elegant evening meal of the highest quality.

8 – Duomo, Ibla, Sicily

This exceptional two Michelin-star restaurant regularly ranks as one of the best restaurants in Italy. Located on the island of Sicily, just a short distance from the coastline in the charming ancient city of Ibla, diners can expect creative, contemporary cuisine in a refined setting. Chef Ciccio Sultano entices diners with dishes that are drawn from his deep knowledge of the region, served in intimate dining rooms. When cruising the coastline of Sicily, a trip onshore to dine at Duomo is a must.

9 – La Madia, Licata, Sicily

Located in the coastal town of Licata, the two Michelin-star restaurant La Madia delights diners with exceptional dishes that are prepared in a simple and unfussy way, taking diners on a gastronomic journey of traditional Sicilian regional delights. Headed up by chef Pino Cuttaia, La Madia is a true culinary masterpiece.

10 – St. George by Heinz Back, Sicily

This two Michelin-star restaurant is located in the highly exclusive Taormina in the Hasbee Hotel on the edge of Taormina’s historic centre. The menu is the result of a partnership between the three-star Michelin chef Heinz Beck and Calabrian-born chef Salvatore of Messina, offering an unforgettable dining experience. Dine in the restaurant’s striking, modern dining room or on the breathtaking terrace with exceptional views of the Sicilian coastline and the Mediterranean Sea. For oenophiles, the constantly evolving wine list ensures the perfect pairing with every dish.

If you want to enjoy a luxury yacht holiday that takes you on a gastronomic journey to some of Italy’s best restaurants, contact SmartYacht.

Top 10 restaurants along the Italian Coast worth stepping ashore for