A Cuvea, Sanremo

A Cuvea is a historic tavern near the Sanremo waterfront whose origins are traced back to the 1600s, serving the cuisine of the western Riviera, the Riviera di Ponente, at a range of price points. Sanremo, the elegant capital of the Riviera dei Fiori close to the French border, has its own distinct culinary identity, and A Cuvea is a good place to explore it: the menu features local seafood, sardenaira (the Sanremo focaccia topped with tomato, anchovy, garlic and olives, a relative of pizza), and regional pasta, paired with the wines of the Ponente such as the red Rossese di Dolceacqua and the white Pigato. The cooking draws on the western Riviera's traditions, which differ from the pesto-and-stuffed-pasta canon of Genoa and the east, giving visitors a taste of a less familiar side of Ligurian food. The setting carries the character of its long history, and the atmosphere is convivial and welcoming. Prices are mid-range and flexible, with pasta and antipasti courses around EUR 11-17 and main courses roughly EUR 15-24, so a full meal generally falls in the EUR 32-45 per person bracket before wine. The wine list is a genuine strength for exploring Ponente labels, with Rossese di Dolceacqua and Pigato pairings standing out. Being popular with locals and well established, it rewards booking ahead, especially for dinner and at weekends; it typically closes on Mondays. Sanremo is well connected by train along the coast and is a base for the Riviera dei Fiori and excursions toward Dolceacqua and the French Riviera. For travellers wanting to taste the distinct cooking and wines of Liguria's western Riviera in an atmospheric historic tavern, A Cuvea is a rewarding choice.