Where to eat in Viareggio: breakfast and dinner options on the Tuscan coast
Where to eat in Viareggio. We're in Viareggio, one of the most renowned coastal towns in Versilia and all of Tuscany. Wandering among its Art Nouveau buildings, it's impossible not to notice the vibrant food scene.
Where to eat in Viareggio. We're in Viareggio, one of the most renowned coastal towns in Versilia and all of Tuscany. Wandering among its Art Nouveau buildings, it's impossible not to notice the vibrant food scene. Restaurants, pastry shops, hotel bars, and pizzerias are all top-notch, both along the seafront and in the city center. As in all seaside towns, seafood reigns supreme, but strong influences from continental Tuscany are also evident. Below is a perfect plan for a day in Viareggio. From breakfast to dinner, there are countless options to suit all budgets.
Where to eat in Viareggio
BREAKFAST
Galliano Pastry Shop
We begin our list of places to eat in Viareggio with Galliano, one of the town's historic establishments. Founded in 1923, it recently underwent a major renovation and remains a family affair for four generations, with constant attention to traditional pastry making. The rice pudding, a Tuscan pastry institution, is worth trying here for a quick breakfast.
Galliano Pastry Shop. Viale Marconi 127, Viareggio (LU). Website, Instagram.
Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte
If you have more time to devote to breakfast, the place for you is the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte. A higher budget is required here (€50 per person), as the first meal of the day offered by this historic hotel is decidedly luxurious. The best breakfast in Italy, according to many, can offer a slightly different experience than what we're used to. Prepared by multi-Michelin-starred chef Giuseppe Mancino and his team, breakfast offers a wide selection, including fragrant pastries, freshly baked bread, compotes, jams, sweet spreads, and sophisticated savory toppings like patanegra and caviar or hot ramen. Don't forget to try the freshly cooked eggs. Breakfast at the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte is open to everyone, even non-guests.
Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte. Piazza Puccini 1, Viareggio (LU). Website, Instagram.
LUNCH
Drunken Little Fish
For a tasty seafood lunch, Pesciolino Briaco is a safe bet. The menu features primarily seafood, with the freshest fish and traditional Viareggio dishes with a unique twist. Every day, Pesciolino offers guests a variety of local seafood, such as mostella, skate, grey mullet, horse mackerel, and many more. It also offers traditional dishes like stuffed mussels, anchovies alla povera, and trabaccolara. Prices range from €12 to €24 for raw fish, from €14 to €18 for first courses, and from €16 to €18 for second courses.
Drunken Fish. Via Sant'Andrea, corner of Via Vespucci 252, Viareggio (LU). Website, Instagram.
PIZZERIAS
The Pachino
A pizzeria in the historic center of Viareggio with a casual and welcoming atmosphere. Il Pachino relies on a very long leavening process that produces a fragrant and light pizza, with a tasty, light, and easily digestible dough. The menu offers a wide range of options, starting with six interpretations of the Margherita (from €8.50 to €13) with various types of tomatoes and mozzarella or provola. They also offer more innovative creations for those who want to experiment with new flavors and combinations. Try the Tosca with Colonnata lard (€14).
Il Pachino. Via Vittorio Veneto 46, Viareggio (LU). Facebook, Instagram.
New Viareggio
At Pizzeria Nuova Viareggio, you'll find a wide selection of pizzas and stuffed focaccias to enjoy on-site or take home. Many visitors come here to enjoy the exquisite marinara pizzas, focaccia, and a simple Margherita pizza. Fresh margaritas are served to accompany your meal. The staff strives to create a family-friendly atmosphere, with a positive attitude that makes this place authentic.
New Viareggio. Via Marco Polo 86, Viareggio (LU), Facebook.
CENA
Buonamico Restaurant
Founded in 1901 as a rest stop for fishermen, Buonamico is the oldest restaurant in Versilia serving traditional local dishes. The name Buonamico derives from the nickname of its founder, Eugenio Biagini, who was a friend of many artists. For over a century, its elegant dining room has welcomed illustrious figures such as Moravia, Montale, Ungaretti, and Valletta, becoming a meeting place for lovers of fine cuisine. Today, Buonamico continues to be a go-to for those seeking high-quality dishes, especially fresh fish. Don't miss Grandma Rina's stuffed mussels, homemade macaroni "alla trabaccolara," fried fish, and the unmistakable Buonamico fish soup, deboned. Prices: appetizers range from €10 to €18, first courses from €12 to €15, and second courses from €18 to €28.
Buonamico. Via Sant'Andrea 27, Viareggio (LU), Website, Instagram.
The Little Prince Restaurant and the Bistro Terrace
We conclude our Viareggio guide by returning to the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte for an aperitivo and a Michelin-starred dinner. Bar manager Simone Corsini will be in charge of the drinks to start the evening at the Terrazza Bistrot (also available for a light lunch). This sea-view terrace above the hotel is the perfect place to discover the cocktail list of one of Italy's best bartenders. Then we head downstairs to begin dinner at the two-Michelin-starred Il Piccolo Principe restaurant. Dine in an elegant, elongated room. Giuseppe Mancino is responsible for the dishes, offering several tasting menus. These range from the entirely plant-based Essenziale Green (€175) to the Classici (€200), which alternate meat and fish dishes, such as Tuscan ciccia, Casentino fat, charcoal oil, and spaghetti creamed with butter, anchovies, and smoked tea. The wine list is also noteworthy.