A refined seafood restaurant on the top floor of the Eataly building in the Porto Antico, with sweeping views over Genoa's old harbour. The kitchen produces creative, technically precise fish dishes built around the day's catch and regional produce, paired with a deep list of Ligurian whites. It is one of the most ambitious tables in the city, ideal for a special-occasion dinner with a sea view.
Il Marin occupies the top floor of the Edificio Millo, the Eataly building on Calata Cattaneo in Genoa's Porto Antico, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace looking out over the old harbour and Renzo Piano's Bigo crane. It is among the most ambitious seafood tables in the city, recognised over the years in Italian restaurant guides for technically precise, contemporary cooking built around the day's catch from the Ligurian Sea. The kitchen, long associated with chef Marco Visciola, treats local fish with a creative but disciplined hand: an extensive raw selection and crudo of the moment, signature plays on humble Ligurian ingredients such as anchovies and stockfish, and house-made pasta dressed with seafood. Tasting menus run alongside a la carte choice, and the cooking leans modern without abandoning regional roots. The setting is refined and contemporary, suited to a special-occasion dinner; smart-casual to smart dress fits the room, and noise levels stay civilised even when busy. Service is polished and knowledgeable, and the wine programme is a genuine strength, with a deep cellar of Ligurian whites such as Vermentino, Pigato and Cinque Terre alongside broader Italian and international labels, and pairings offered with the tasting menus. This is firmly a top-end address: expect a la carte main courses around EUR 30-40 and tasting menus in the region of EUR 90-130 per person before wine. Because the dining room is not large and the harbour views are sought-after, reservations are essential, ideally booked a week or more ahead for weekend dinners and during the summer and cruise season; window and terrace tables in particular should be requested early. Lunch can be a slightly gentler way to experience the kitchen, and the panoramic position over the Porto Antico, close to the Acquario di Genova and the historic centre, makes it easy to combine with a day of sightseeing. For visitors wanting Genoa's most polished contemporary fish cooking with a sweeping sea view, Il Marin is the benchmark choice in the city.
Signature dishes
- Raw seafood and crudo selection
- Catch of the day with Ligurian herbs
- Vermentino wine pairings
Good to know
- Known for
- Contemporary Ligurian seafood; known for raw seafood and crudo selection
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 12:30PM-2:30PM and 7:30PM-10:30PM, closed Mon
- Reservations
- Essential
Location
Calata Cattaneo, 15, Edificio Millo, 16128 Genova GE, Italy
44.4093, 8.9268 View on map
Highlights
- Top-floor seafood dining with sweeping views over Genoa's Porto Antico and the old harbour
- Creative, precise contemporary cooking around the day's catch, raw seafood and crudo
- Deep Ligurian-focused wine list with Vermentino, Pigato and Cinque Terre whites
- Tasting menus and a la carte, with pairings available, in a refined special-occasion setting
Tips for visiting
- Reserve at least a week ahead for weekend dinners and in summer; request a window or terrace table early
- Lunch is a slightly gentler-priced way to try the kitchen than the full evening tasting menu
- The tasting menu with wine pairing showcases the cellar; a la carte suits a lighter meal
- Smart-casual dress fits the room; it is firmly a top-end, special-occasion table
When to visit
Book dinner for sunset over the harbour, or come at lunch for a calmer, slightly lighter-priced experience; reserve well ahead in summer and cruise season.
Accessibility
The restaurant is on an upper floor of the Edificio Millo and is reached by lift, so step-free access to the dining room is generally available; the surrounding Porto Antico waterfront is flat and accessible. Contact the restaurant in advance to confirm accessible facilities.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Il Marin located?
On the top floor of the Eataly building (Edificio Millo) at Calata Cattaneo in Genoa's Porto Antico, overlooking the old harbour near the Acquario di Genova.
Is Il Marin a special-occasion restaurant?
Yes. It is one of Genoa's most ambitious seafood restaurants, with refined cooking, a deep wine list and harbour views, and prices to match, with tasting menus roughly EUR 90-130 per person.
Do I need to book in advance?
Reservations are essential, ideally a week or more ahead for weekend dinners and during summer and cruise season. Request a window or terrace table when you book.
What is the food like?
Contemporary Ligurian seafood: a strong raw and crudo selection, creative takes on local fish and anchovies, and house-made pasta with the day's catch, available a la carte or as tasting menus.