The 6 best Italian cities for fine dining

Italy is no stranger to good food. Some of its most exciting finds can be concealed behind the door of an unassuming trattoria or a family-run pizzeria. But if you’re after the whole package – crisp white tablecloths, gourmet precision, and presentation that makes dishes almost too beautiful to eat – then, read on.

Modena in Emilia-Romagna

Modena is home to bubbling Lambrusco and tangy balsamic vinegar – amongst many other treats. Don’t worry if you can’t snag a table at Massimo Bottura’s Michelin-celebrated Osteria Francescana, there are plenty more fine restaurants to be discovered. Try minestrone fritters at the diminutive Hosteria Giusti, or Ristorante da Danilo’s generous Modenese tortellini helpings. After munching through a tasting menu, rest your head at historic Salotto delle Arti, or lounge in the serene simplicity of the old town’s Hotel Cervetta 5.

Rimini in Emilia-Romagna

Fellini’s hometown dishes seafood onto the plates of eateries like La Marianna, which has sat at the heart of fishing enclave Borgo San Giuliano for a century. Relocating from the town centre to the beach in summer, Vichy Cristina fuses creative catches and carpaccio, while Argentinian-flourished combinations headline Abocar’s menu. Soak in L’Hotel’s spa, or work up an appetite in Hotel Aria’s rooftop pool before you decide on where to dine.

Riccione in Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna’s dishes reign supreme in Riccione, where menus are laden with local specialities like salmon carpaccio and cheese-and-meat-filled crescentine. Michelin-starred Guido hugs the shoreline, plating up Adriatic-sourced delights since 1946, while Righi offers timeless elegance and dishes with innovative flair. After a leisurely lunch, you can put your feet up in the bright surrounds of Hotel Love Boat or spend the day dreaming about your dinner on the beachfront next to Hotel Mediterraneo.

Trapani in Sicily

There’s Sicilian food and then there’s Trapanese food. Recipes combine locally sourced goodies like red tuna and almonds, peppered with Tunisian influences like couscous and dried fruit. Favourite restaurants such as Osteria La Bettolaccia specialise in couscous broth, shrimp and Marsala wine, while Ai Lumi’s rich market-fare dishes are served in a rustic setting. Book into Badia Nuova Residence, a former monastery with roof terrace views, or Central Gallery Rooms, which dates from 1800.

Cesenatico in Emilia-Romagna

Unsurprisingly, the cuisine of coastal Cesenatico centres around seafood, alongside lashings of piadina bread. The pint-sized port town is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants: Magnolia, where servings are nothing short of works of art, and La Buca, known for its Mediterranean creations. You won’t need to stray far from the sea if you stay at Grand Hotel Da Vinci, where the gardens and pool have unobstructed views. Alternatively, Le Stanze Di Leonardo offers a homely option with inviting rooms.

Avellino in Campania

The lush landscape surrounding Avellino produces the likes of creamy pecorino di Carmasciano cheese, pancetta and nougat-like torrone, that’s filled with forest-foraged hazelnuts. Just outside Avellino, Michelin-calibre Marennà pairs its winery’s biggest names with internationally influenced plates. Back in town, Bonjour Bonheur serves a scrumptious breakfast that will kick-start your day’s culinary adventure. In the shadow of Pertenio Regional Park, Le Stanze dei Nonni is loved for its true mountain hospitality.