Restaurant and Portside Kiosk in Ancona
La Degosteria
Address- Via Pizzecolli, 3
Phone- +39 071 203031
Hours- Open for lunch and dinner every day expect only dinner on Saturday and closed on Monday
Price- Middle-High Range
Reservations - Contact information on website
Easter menu at La Degosteria
I was attracted to this restaurant first because of the stellar reviews. That it is the best restaurant in Ancona is a popular and enduring opinion. I also love the name, however, as it is a little ‘punny.’ A ‘degustazione’ in Italian means a ‘taste’ or ‘sample’; it can also mean ‘a tasting menu’. Therefore, the name of the restaurant combines this with ‘osteria’ which, is the name for a type of restaurant in Italy.
I tried a little bit of everything when I had a special Easter lunch here a few years ago. The Easter lunch was a multiple course menu and every feature was delicious. For a taste of the more specific ‘Cucina Marchigiana’ (cuisine from the region of Marche) I wouldn’t miss the Vincisgrasso alla marchigiana su besciamella leggera. The vincigrasso is a regional feature that resembles a lasagna (you can read more about it here.) The chef puts a twist on some more traditional dishes, however, so I encourage you to experiment. There is an ample selection of seafood as well, which will not disappoint. Explore the menu here. The dessert was divine, so if you are feeling indulgent, save room.
Recommended Dishes
Antipasto- Degustazione di terra
A beautiful Easter egg dessert at La Degosteria
Primo- Vincisgrasso alla marchigiana su besciamella leggera (the layered pasta with light Béchamel sauce) or the Gnocchetti di patate fresche, canocchie e pomodorini (small gnocchi with shrimp and cherry tomatoes)
Secondo- Costolette di agnello fritto con emulsione acida al sesamo (lamb chops)
Dolci- Tortino fondente con cuore al pistacchio crema inglese e gelato al pistacchio (Dark chocolate cake with pistacchio cream and gelato inside). The ‘Easter egg’ dessert was a special feature for the holiday.
Chiosco di Morena
Address- Corso Giuseppe Mazzini, 65
Corso Giuseppe Mazzini, 65
Phone- +39 338 762 8904
Price- Low range
Reservations are not necessary
This kiosk, referred to also as Da Morena, is a casual seafood stand down by the port of Ancona. For fresh seafood in the form of a quick lunch or aperitivo, Morena is an excellent choice. Two of my close friends tried it while waiting at the port of Ancona to embark on an 11 hour Ferry across the Adriatic to Split Croatia. They went for a bachelor party (or stag do, rather, as they are British), and the stories from the 11 hour ferry back to Ancona are brutal even to a listener.