San Marino has a culture and cuisine greatly influenced by Italy which surrounds it. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in San Marino, the main city offers a plethora of options. While most establishments provide a la carte menus, there are also self-service restaurants available.
The people of San Marino really enjoy eating different types of meat like beef, rabbit, and pork. This gives their local food a unique taste.
San Marino is known for making great wines, both red and white. Visitors can try a wide variety of these delicious wines while enjoying the country’s restaurants and nightlife. The wine adds something special to the food experience.
When it comes to popular local dishes, San Marino boasts a range of delectable options. From veal Bolognese and tortellini to roasted rabbit, passatelli, and torta tre monti, the culinary repertoire is diverse and tantalizing. Sammarinese cuisine incorporates a wide array of herbs and spices, adding depth and flavor to each dish.
Now, let us explore the top restaurants in San Marino where you can savor these exceptional culinary delights.
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10 Best Restaurants in San Marino
Here are 10 of the best restaurants in San Marino for you to choose from when you visit this tiny republic within Italy!
1. La Fratta
Via Salita Alla Rocca, 14, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Ristorante La Fratta was established in the late 1950s as a place for quarry workers to relax. It soon became a popular family-owned restaurant.
The restaurant specializes in delicious local and regional dishes with high-quality ingredients like homemade pasta, meat, fish, seasonal truffles, and mushrooms. Must-try items include pappardelle with boar meat sauce, roasted lamb with seasoned potatoes, tagliatelle with meat sauce, ravioli with peas and meat sauce, strawberry éclair, and chocolate cake with coffee ganache.
Apart from the fantastic food served in generous portions, you can enjoy a beautiful view of San Marino Old Town as well. The staff are friendly and provide great service. They also have a good selection of wines. The Forst beer, made by a brewery from South Tyrol, is highly recommended. The prices are a bit high, but the quality and experience are worth it.
La Fratta restaurant is located in San Marino’s historic center, near the old city walls. It has a pleasant atmosphere and seats about 170 people, with 120 inside and 50 outside on terraces with a view of the Montefeltro valley.
2. Pizzeria Strapizzati
Via Salita Alla Rocca, 20, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Pizzeria Strapizzati is a delightful little spot located in San Marino’s old town. They serve single slices, making it the perfect place to quickly satisfy your cravings.
Despite being somewhat hidden and perhaps not initially grabbing your attention, this place is truly amazing and offers incredible food. The chef is friendly and quick-witted, and their piadinas are absolutely heavenly!
The pizzas, prepared in the Roman style, boast a satisfying crunch in the dough, delectable toppings, and a touch of oregano or rosemary for added flavor. With a wide range of options, reasonable prices, friendly staff, and a cozy atmosphere, it’s the ultimate recommendation for a quick, on-the-go pizza experience.
This pizza shop has a great variety of toppings and a light base for a satisfying meal. We highly recommend trying their prosciutto crudo and formaggi pizza, the tuna and onion combination, and the pastry that’s generously filled with fresh slices of crudo. Such mouthwatering delights!
If you want a quick bite without a formal restaurant, this place is an absolute gem. In addition, Strapizzati also offers a variety of drinks to complement your meal.
3. Ristorante Bolognese
Via Basilicius, 24, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Ristorante Bolognese in San Marino offers delicious meat and fish dishes from Emilia Romagna. Open since 1920, this family-run restaurant combines tradition with innovation. It’s ideal for families, serving tasty and simple meals that everyone can enjoy.
What sets this restaurant apart is its welcoming atmosphere and beautiful surroundings. Guests can admire stunning views, sunsets, and natural landscapes, enhancing their dining experience. The spacious dining room provides a delightful setting to enjoy their diverse menu, featuring traditional dishes like Bolognese sauce and tortellini.
Alongside their Romagna specialties, they also have a variety of pizzas. Fresh pasta, sides, cheeses, and desserts complete the flavorful offerings. Highly recommended are the pasta with courgette and prawns, Margherita pizza, and panna cotta. All the dishes are tasty, and you can take your time to savor and enjoy them without feeling rushed. The menu may cater more to tourists, but the food is still quite good!
Yummy starters, good prices, and if you want, you can take the pizza to go enjoy it later. This is definitely among the best restaurants in San Marino!
4. Agli Antichi Orti
Viale Federico D’Urbino, 5, 47890, Città di San Marino, San Marino
This is a great restaurant located up a small track on a mountainside. It might be a bit challenging to find, but it’s definitely worth the visit. They serve delicious traditional local food and offer fantastic views over the lake.
The food at Agli Antichi Orti is outstanding, including the octopus as an appetizer, typical San Marinese pasta, salmon with pistachios, and tiramisu for dessert. The aubergine parmigiana pizza and strozzapretti pistachio pasta are exceptional. The vegetable gnocchi, rump steak, spicy salami pizza, and tagliatelle ragu are just as awesome. It doesn’t feel like a touristy fast food place, the staff is attentive, and the restaurant is not overcrowded. Sitting outside offers an equally good view.
Agli Antichi Orti is surprisingly larger inside than it appears from the outside. There are different sections, with one resembling a diner, another newer section, and a more traditional one. The food is decent and reasonably priced.
The pizza here tastes exactly how it should, and don’t forget to try the local San Marino beer and wines! The prices are fair considering the quality of food and service provided.
5. Ristorante il Beccafico
Via Salita Alla Rocca 37/39, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Ristorante il Beccafico is a friendly place with delicious food and a great view of the hill, especially during sunset. It’s definitely worth visiting if you’re in San Marino.
Start your meal with the fresh meats and amazing cheese platter. The pizzas are cooked perfectly and packed with flavor! The house wine is also good and strong. The atmosphere is welcoming and it feels like a family-run restaurant.
They are mindful of people with food intolerances and special dietary needs, offering tasty options without compromising on flavor. They have lactose-free and gluten-free choices, including handmade fresh gluten-free pasta. The gluten-free ravioli with sausage and radicchio is especially delightful. Their gluten-free tortellini is also a must-try for those with celiac disease.
Make sure to save room for their panna cotta – it’s incredibly delicious!
6. Ristorante Spingarda
Contrada dei Magazzeni, 30, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Ristorante La Spingarda in San Marino offers excellent food, a beautiful view, friendly staff, and a cozy ambiance. Since 1960, this restaurant has been known for its passion, tradition, and tasty dishes. They take pride in serving handmade pasta and fresh traditional Romagna dishes with a touch of innovation from their expert chef.
La Spingarda creates a friendly and polite environment to guarantee a pleasant dining experience. The menu consists of chef-selected popular dishes, high-quality meats, and enticing side dishes. The seafood section offers a variety of fresh fish choices, while the pizza section presents delicious pizzas made with fresh ingredients.
Must-try dishes include the savory cuttlefish ink spaghetti, the zesty lime-flavored red prawn tartare, and their famous tiramisu dessert. You will also love their roast beef, grilled fish, octopus burger, and mixed salad – all delectable and reasonably priced.
Ristorante La Spingarda’s standout feature is the terrace that overlooks the Apennines, providing a magical setting for enjoying the flavorful food in a warm family atmosphere.
7. Ristorante il Piccolo
Via del Serrone, 15/17, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Situated just a few kilometers away from the historic center, you will discover Ristorante il Piccolo (“small restaurant”). Upon entering, you will immediately be greeted with a warm smile and the simple yet meticulous interior design that reflects the restaurant’s dedication to creating a pleasant dining atmosphere.
Ristorante il Piccolo takes pride in offering a diverse menu, making sure that each dish is unique and thoughtfully prepared. Their selection comprises of non-conventional and well-balanced options that cater to different palates. From appetizers to desserts, their dishes are not only delicious but also of high quality. Their wine selection is extensive, and the knowledgeable staff can assist you in making the perfect choice.
The owner is delightful, and the well-prepared and friendly staff contribute to an enjoyable dining experience. We highly recommend trying their fish appetizer and the selection of first courses followed by the perfect dessert to complement your meal.
Il Piccolo is the epitome of tradition, passion, and culinary excellence, making it one of the finest seafood restaurants in San Marino.
8. La Terrazza Ristorante
Contrada del Collegio, 31, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
La Terrazza offers a unique dining experience in a medieval tower, lit by candlelight. It’s a special treat that you don’t get every day! The restaurant can be found in the Hotel Titano building, on the way to the Government Palace. It’s a favorite among locals and tourists alike who appreciate the delicious local food and breathtaking views.
Located in the heart of San Marino’s old town, this charming restaurant offers a picturesque view of Piazza della Liberta and the breathtaking surrounding landscape.
The restaurant takes immense pride in their bread and homemade pasta, using local ingredients to create delightful cakes and an array of bread. The fresh pasta is meticulously handcrafted, following cherished recipes that have been passed down through generations.
With a wide range of options on the menu, we suggest trying the golden egg, lamb chops, tartar with truffle, and gnocchi with nettle sauce. You also have the option to choose the set menu, which provides excellent value for the price. We highly recommend this fantastic place!
9. Cantina di Bacco
Contrada Santa Croce, 37/39, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Cantina di Bacco is a restaurant in a hotel just a short walk from the center. The atmosphere is great and it suits San Marino. The service is very good and fast, and the food is of high quality.
If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be happy to know they have stuffed pasta without meat. You can eat theit tortelloni with truffle every day! They also don’t use crustaceans, which is great for people with allergies.
Cantina di Bacco’s beef tagliata (Italian steak) and the homemade gnocchi with fossa cheese and spinach are well-made and super tasty! The portions are quite big and the beef cooked perfectly.
Naturally, they have different fresh pasta specials, prepared using high-quality local ingredients and in a way that respects tradition but also adds a unique touch that only a passionate and knowledgeable chef can provide.
Cantina di Bacco offers excellent value and is not too expensive. If you go during peak hours, be prepared to wait a bit, but it’s worth it. If you go late in the evening, you’ll get faster service, but some dishes might not be available anymore, which actually shows that they prioritize freshness.
10. Ritrovo dei Lavoratori XXVIII Luglio
Via Androne dei Bastioni, 4, 47890 Città di San Marino, San Marino
Ritrovo dei Lavoratori XXVIII Luglio is a big restaurant in the heart of Città di San Marino, with friendly and helpful staff. As a bonus, the view from the restaurant is amazing, especially during the day or at sunset.
Their menu has a lot of options with delicious local and regional dishes. They have appetizers like gnocchi with cherry tomatoes and spinach, truffle ravioli, crostini, and Italian antipasto. All of them are really tasty and there’s plenty to share or have on your own. You will never go wrong with tortellini or passateli with cheese and truffle.
For the main course, try the fillet with green pepper, tenderloin with truffle, and tenderloin with mushrooms and artichoke. To end your meal, they offer house grappa and biscotti, which are a nice way to finish off and leave the restaurant feeling happy and satisfied.