La mansardina al mare

Gianfranco Verdecchia, restaurateur and heir to a family of butchers, has always cooked the food that sustained his people. After running a restaurant in Sant’Omero – a hill town known for its festival dedicated to baccalà (salt cod), a staple in the area’s cuisine – he returned to his hometown of Giulianova. Here, in a stylish, secluded space away from the sea, he has kept baccalà as the sole seafood option, devoting an entire menu to it alongside a wide selection of dishes highlighting his first love: meat.

A lively fish and seafood restaurant on the seafront, which is always busy thanks to its excellent value for money – booking ahead is highly recommended! Fish-based dishes only, all of which are announced at your table and which change regularly depending on market availability. The dishes are simple, rustic but full of flavour, which is why it’s easy to forgive the rather restricted choice of wine.

A restaurant tucked into an intimate corner of the historic center, with spaces characterized by brick vaulting that creates a pleasant contrast with some modern touches in the furnishings. Here, Enzo Di Pasquale – through a tasting format where diners freely choose dishes and quantities – celebrates the seasonality of mostly plant-based and local products, sometimes sourced directly from his own garden. The dishes are absolutely original (like the restaurant’s name: if you're curious, ask for an explanation from the staff) and always very colorful. The philosophical thread is a commendable “n

Having just celebrated their 50th anniversary (they opened in 1971), this restaurant and hotel of the same name remain a solid culinary reference on the Abruzzi coast. The menu here is dedicated solely to fish and, as a result and is often the case, the wine list focuses almost exclusively on white wines. The fish (almost all of which comes from the Adriatic) is carefully sourced, while in the kitchen the chefs prepare classic dishes (such as enormous local langoustines cooked – and served – in a pan with oil, wine, garlic and rosemary) and a few more modern recipes (crispy mullet served with