Casa Fra Gli Ulivi

Chef Giacomo Devoto from Sarzana has transformed an old 17th-century farmhouse, surrounded by greenery, into a charming inn complete with rooms and a working farm, where tranquillity and hospitality reign. On the bright panoramic veranda, where the gaze reaches as far as the coast and the sea, guests can savour his creations devoted to the most authentic flavours of Lunigiana. The recipes, imaginative yet firmly rooted in the seasons, rest on the fragrance of the ingredients: vegetables – like the extra virgin olive oil – come largely from his extensive kitchen garden, while proteins are selec

This pleasant restaurant is situated within the traffic-restricted area of Sarzana, just a few steps from the beautiful central piazza of this small town (which is in Liguria, although the dialect spoken here has a Tuscan influence). With a new name and a new team at the helm, the restaurant serves delicious, colourful cuisine that follows the seasons, with a balance of reasonably priced meat and fish dishes on the menu. A spacious outdoor summer-dining space shaded by parasols, plus courteous, efficient female staff complete the picture.

Along one of the region's most scenic coastal routes, fronted by a charming olive garden, and within a petite hotel yet operating independently, the vista stands as a restaurant's focal strength, appreciated from some dining area tables and further still from the summer terrace. The cuisine, however, doesn’t fall short: two tasting menus and a seafood-focused menu rooted in local traditions with a flourish of creativity bear the kitchen’s signature.

Housed in the Polda baths near the marina, this recently opened small restaurant on the beach serves cuisine with a contemporary yet classic flavour. The restaurant boasts excellent bread, home-made pasta, traditionally cooked dishes such as chicken casserole and creative desserts. Highly recommended, especially the terrace with its fine sea views.

Situated slightly inland behind Marina di Carrara, Extra (the name refers to the quality of the region’s world-famous marble) is a bright, modern restaurant with a menu inspired by the area’s fish and seafood culinary traditions. The menu is slightly more elaborate and the ambience more elegant in the evening and on Saturday lunchtimes.