Restaurants in Ravenna
Aperitivo break at Caffe Corte Cavour
Ravenna is not overwhelming in size, but if you make it a goal to visit all of the incredible mosaics scattered around the city center, and even in the outskirts, you will certainly work up an appetite! We had a number of delicious pre-dinner aperitivo breaks. An advantageous spot is in the Piazza del Popolo; this is a the main piazza in the city center, and it is nice to take a break here. The bars are not unique and special per se, but fine for a spritz stop. Caffe Corte Cavour is hidden away in a quiet courtyard very near the Porta Adriana and the M Club B&B. We had a relaxing aperitivo complete with a nice spread of snacks.
I am both subtracting and adding to this entry in the advent of summer 2021. I learned that a caffe I had recommended (Alex & Paul ) closed their doors this year. My friend Charles recently visited Ravenna and delivered this news. However, he also recommended a cute, dare I say, ‘American’ style coffee house called Grinder Coffee Lab with high quality beans. I have not had a chance to go yet, but I am itching for a return trip to my favorite city up north!
Trattoria Rustichello- Definitely closed!
Outside of Trattoria Rustichello
I leave the picture with my father in front of the restaurant for the wonderful memory’s sake. This restaurant is left, suspended in time, and on Google with extremely high ratings (4.5 stars). Thus, I can confidently say that the closure was not related to the quality of the food. Everybody has their reasons, and in one of the most challenging industries, this can happen (even if it happens far less frequently in the country of Italy!) I will soon return to Ravenna, and pursue the selfless work of finding a suitable replacement.
L’acciuga Osteria
Address- Viale Francesco Baracca, 74
The bar area of L’acciuga Osteria
Phone-+39 0544 212713
Website (Michelin Guide Entry)
Hours- Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday; Open only for Sunday lunch and closed on Monday
Price-Middle Range
Reservations- By phone
Even though Ravenna is not ‘quite’ on the coast, this restaurant has incredible, fresh seafood with a menu that changes depending on the catch. The decor is funky; I almost felt like I was in a trendy, underwater steampunk restaurant. The menu is carefully curated with some surprising and contemporary twists, so when you are ready for a break from the ‘grassa’ culinary heritage, visit L’acciuga Osteria. Many of the dishes are ‘crudo’ (raw) with reasonably sized portions, so you can certainly eat lighter, if you desire. We went for a delightful lunch! The restaurant is also Michelin recommended.
Recommended Dishes
High quality anchovies served with butter and fresh bread
Antipasti- Start with the namesake, ‘anchovies’, that is! Anchovies are also quite famous in the region, and here at L’acciuga Osteria, they are presented on a menu like a fine wine
Primo- You won’t regret a classic spaghetti alle acciughe e pane profumato, but if you opted for acciughe in the antipasto, perhaps a cappelletto al baccala, crema di broccoli e aria di pesce
Secondi- Some delicious polipo (octopus) dishes are featured on the current menu.
Trattoria Al Cerchio
Address-Via Cerchio, 13
Phone- +39 0544 217396
Website (Instagram page)
Hours- Open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday
Price- Middle Range
Reservations- By phone
This restaurant is casual, with wooden panels on the walls and wooden beams on the ceilings. It feels cozy, with lowered archways into subsequent rooms and shelves crowded with bottles of wine. ‘No frills’ is an apt description for the food, though the quality is high! This is a solid trattoria showcasing regional dishes.
Update: In 2024, quite a few years after I visited, this restaurant won the ‘best restaurant in the historic center of Ravenna’ on the popular show called 4 Ristoranti (Four Restaurants) hosted by Alessandro Borghese. This is a popular show (that I have referenced at various points throughout the website) as it is another reputable source for quality restaurants throughout all twenty regions of Italy. This is certainly a testament to the continued quality of the food and another reason to try this award winning risto while visiting the city of Ravenna.
Recommended Dishes
Antipasti- Anything!
Primo- Try a regional pasta, such as tagliatelle al ragu
Secondo- Involtini al Cerchio, or any of the hearty meat dishes that strike your fancy!
Next time I visit Ravenna, I will try Ristorante Corte Cabiria (also featured on the 4 Ristoranti episode!) and Antica Trattoria Al Gallo 1909.