If you’re a foodie and you’re planning a trip to Italy this year, there’s one place that should definitely feature on your itinerary- Genoa. Trust us when we say this, you will come away satiated in the true sense of the word. Here are our top 5 street- eats in Genoa:
#1 Focaccia
Italians love their food but the Genovese seem to love their focaccia over and above anything else. For those of you not familiar with the Focaccia, it is an Italian flat-bread, seasoned with olive-oil and salt. Genoa is jam-packed with the quaintest focaccerias, displaying focaccia breads with every imaginable topping. So all you really need to do is follow your nose and see where it takes you. Pick the focaccia that tickles your fancy- take a bite, close your eyes, and savour the moment.
A Hole-in-the-wall Focacceria in Genoa
Genovese Focaccerias could tempt you into ordering a LOT of food
#2 Genovese Pesto
Did you know that Pesto originated in Genoa? It’s easy to gloss over that fact, until you taste Pesto in Genoa. It is made from scratch using Genovese basil and pine-nuts and Ligurian extra virgin olive oil and tastes completely different from the shop-bought variety back home. It is fragrant, green, and evocative of Mediterranean warmth.
Have a pesto-based pasta dish (Trofie al pesto is a local speciality), or a pesto pizza. The latter is incredibly popular in Genoa, and it is easy to find them at Trattorias around the city. The juxtaposition of green pesto paste on a traditional thin-crust pizza base makes a pretty picture. Inhale the aroma wafting from pizza and dig in.
Savour each mouthful of the Genovese Pesto Pizza
#3 Farinata
The Farinata, a Genovese speciality, is a pancake made out of chickpea flour, olive oil, and water. It’s light on the stomach, so have it as an entreรฉ or snack. The smell of the extra-virgin olive oil in the Farinata makes for an inimitable Genovese experience. Have it sitting inside a focacceria, by the sea, or in a cobbled street under the bright Genovese sun- the choice is all yours.
A slice of typical Genovese Farinata
#4 The Best Sandwich of your Life
You will excuse us for resorting to hyperbole once you taste the sandwiches at THE Gran Ristoro, a Genovese institution. A sandwich here tastes like nothing you’ve had before. Choose from the large variety of meats, cheeses, and toppings and personalise your sandwich. The Italian owners are more than happy to help you and their enthusiasm is contagious. At just under โฌ5, this one is worth its weight in gold- or should we say proscuitto.
Think we got too carried away? Check out some more reviews of Gran Ristoro here: http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187823-d1101747-Reviews-Gran_Ristoro-Genoa_Italian_Riviera_Liguria.html
Spicy Salami or Prosciutto? Decisions, Decisions!
#5 Rosa’s Gelatos
An entry on Italian food just wouldn’t be complete with gelatos would it? Round off your meal by opting for a scoop (or two?) of smooth and creamy Italian gelato. It’s easy to find a Gelateria in Genoa, but we would recommend looking for “Profumo Di Rosa”. It is definitely worth that extra bit of effort- the owner (Rosa) is friendly to a fault, speaks 5 languages, and makes the best gelatos in Genoa (or so we think!). Try the mimosa chocolate, apple-cinnamon, and pistachio flavours. If you’re lactose intolerant/vegan, try Rosa’s sorbet.
Profumo Di Rosa- The best Gelato in Genoa?
Profumo Di Rosa– The best Gelato in Genoa?
That’s a LOT of food. Try not to succumb to a food coma; instead reward your gluttony by ordering some local beer and spend your afternoon observing people in the medieval cobbled streets of Genoa. That’s what we did ๐
Gluttony needs to be rewarded- after all, it’s Italy!
Yum!!!! You had me at foccacia but I’m a huge lover of salami, ham and pesto. I think a visit to Genoa might be on the cards for me!!!!
Bethaney it’s THE perfect place for you if you love salami, pesto, and foccacia- book your ticket pronto, you won’t regret it ๐
loved this review.. makes me wanna fly now and just eat eat eat and have some more beers !!
Japnit you should totally put Italy on your travel wishlist if you enjoy food:-) Share your experience with us if you do make it to Genoa
mouthwateringly delicious photography and write up
Thank you- we came back with loads of holiday weight thanks to all that food ๐
lovely concept
informative ๐ thnx
Thanks Gunjan- Glad you’re enjoying it ๐
Oh damn! We just finished fixing our itinerary to Italy for next week, and we HAVE NOT included Genoa! ๐
There’s still time- it’s an easy day trip from Pisa/Florence ๐
Yum! There is nothing like the focaccia in Italy! Gelato is pretty good too ๐
Annette we couldn’t have agreed more- Italian food is the best ๐
The last time I was in Italy, I remember breakfasting, lunching, and, indeed dining on a scrumptious spinach and cheese focaccia. Great combo. Thanks for the memories.
Matthew we loved the spinach and cheese focaccia too, but that Pesto focaccia blew the competition out of the water ๐
Your blog is a treat to the eyes and to the travel-hungry soul!!! You have a new fan ๐
Thanks Diksha- will look forward to reading your comments on blog posts. We hope you enjoy Bruised Passports ๐
Its heaven for a foodie like me! So nw its on my wishlist…btw ur blog is AHMAZING!!
Thanks a million Khushi. Yes Italy is a foodie’s delight come to life ๐
Duly noted for next Italy trip ๐
We had some amazing food in Italy, especially south Italy in Salerno and Amalfi!
Nom- There’s nothing quite like Italian food is there?! ๐
I feel fatter just looking at the pictures. But some things are so worth the calorie binge, ha ha. This is so food porn….yep, my day is made. Thanks!
Hehe ! Neer, Genoa is definitely one of those places where you forget about calories and just indulge in the food ๐
This is a stunning location and your photos make it pop. I love the beautiful colors in your photos. I think we spend a wonderful holiday there with friends and family.
Restauranten in Liguriรซ
Hey Martina glad to know you liked the pics we put up in our post.Thanks you so much for writing to us and letting us know about it.