Genoa travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Genoa, Liguria, Italy.
Genoese cuisine is built on basil, olive oil, chickpeas, fish and preserved cod, with pasta shaped to hold sauce. Pesto, focaccia, farinata and torte salate define everyday eating, while sweets such as pandolce and canestrelli are tied to festivals. The old port quarter packs sciamadde, friggitorie and trattorie into a few lanes.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Seafood
Focaccia And Ligurian Baked Goods
Focaccia And Pastries
Genoese
Genoese Street Food
Historic Pastry
Ligurian Daily Menu
Modern Ligurian
Traditional Genoese
Food tours & tastings in Genoa
Eat your way through Genoa with a guide.
Browse food experiences in GenoaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Farinata
A thin baked pancake of chickpea flour, water and oil, eaten hot with black pepper.
Price: a few euros per slice (check the board)
Fried seafood cone
Paper cones of fried anchovies, squid, shrimp and vegetables, with frisceu and panissette.
Price: about €10 (~$12) for a mixed cone per a 2015 guide
Focaccia
Soft, oily Genoese flatbread with salt, eaten for breakfast or dipped in cappuccino.
Price: a few euros per slice
Torte salate
Savoury pies of chard and prescinsêua, rice, artichoke or onion, sold by the slice.
Price: a few euros per slice
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercato Orientale
A covered market on Via XX Settembre with produce, fish, cheese and cured-meat stalls; the MOG food hall on the same site traces the market to 1699.
Hours: Market stalls operate in the morning; the MOG food hall upstairs opens Monday 10AM-3PM, Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday 10AM-11PM, Friday-Saturday 10AM-midnight
Mercato del Carmine
A neighbourhood covered market in the Carmine district.
Hours: Opening hours not confirmed; check locally before visiting
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Reserve Il Marin and San Giorgio ahead; both close on set weekdays
Eat farinata the moment it leaves the oven
Sunday and Monday closures are common in the old town
Phone-only bookings apply at Trattoria della Raibetta
Cash is useful at sciamadde and friggitorie
Walk a lane away from the Porto Antico front for better value
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Breakfast €2-3 (~$2-3) (focaccia slice and coffee), Lunch €8-15 (~$9-17) (torta, farinata or a trattoria lunch), Dinner €20-25 (~$23-29) (trattoria such as Sà Pesta or Da Ugo), Street food €2-10 (~$2-12) (farinata to a fried cone), Coffee €1.20-1.50 (~$1-2) (espresso at the bar) | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |