VILLA ARDENTE 12&1, Emma Villas

The historic Zunica 1880 – and the numbers don’t lie – is reborn within Villa Corallo, an imposing resort and landed estate. Guest rooms are in the main villa, while the restaurant occupies what was once the farm equipment building. Two vegetable gardens, crop cultivation, raising of calves and pigs, plus a new garden and pool, primarily used for weddings and events. The cuisine of Gianni Dezio, an Abruzzo native from Atri and student of Niko Romito, already operates at a high level through two tasting menus – at the chef’s discretion – or à la carte. His stylistic signature is a judicious, ta

A few kilometres into the first hills of the Adriatic hinterland are well worth the journey to reach the tranquil village of Montepagano. Here one finds a restaurant of original and engaging character, which defines itself as a ‘ristorante diffuso’: a concept given tangible form by a succession of rooms, dining spaces and intimate period salons, punctuated by strikingly contemporary works of art, as though one were moving through a miniature village within the village. The gastronomic direction is entrusted to a chef of considerable ability, capable of conveying through simple yet imaginative

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.

Vecchia Marina is renowned in the region (and further afield) for its superb fish and seafood and excellent value for money (the tasting menu priced at under 40 euros is truly extraordinary). Situated just a stone’s throw from the beach, the restaurant has a simple, informal feel, where the full focus is on the flavour of the fresh fish served in traditional dishes such as linguine with langoustine, garlic, olive oil and rosemary, and raw fish featuring the catch of the day. As you can imagine, booking well in advance is highly recommended!

Located in the heart of the city center, Oishi offers a comprehensive tribute to Japan in an intimate, minimalist yet colorful dining room that has been recently renovated. This homage to Japan is evident both in the interior design and – above all – in the numerous and ongoing classic Japanese references throughout the menu. Sometimes reimagined with local ingredients and flavors, the dishes range from crudo and marinated preparations to sashimi and nigiri, rolls, some tempura, and more. The wine selection is respectable, featuring Italian craft beers with flavors consistently oriented toward

With a very young team led by Maicol and Federica, this rustic restaurant with an exposed-brick decor only opened a few months ago and has already made a name for itself thanks to its fine cuisine. In the dining room, the wood-fired oven and barbecue grill (the latter uses the embers from the former) take centre stage in many of the dishes, so that old, culinary techniques result in delicious cuisine that demonstrates a fine balance of traditional flavours and personalised modern twists. The lamb chops, served with freshly blanched saltwort flavoured with preserved lemon and a light garlic sau

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