Ristorante Il Pitosforo
Clinging to the rocks at the very edge of the harbour, Il Pitosforo has been serving some of the finest traditional Ligurian cooking in Portofino since 1958. This is where locals and discerning visitors come for trofie al pesto made with basil grown on the Ligurian hills, and for fish so fresh it was swimming in the cove below that morning.
What to Order
Start with the acciughe al limone — fresh anchovies marinated in lemon juice and local olive oil, a dish so simple it lives or dies on ingredient quality. Here, it sings. Follow with trofie al pesto genovese: the pasta is hand-rolled and the pesto is made to order with Ligurian DOP basil, pine nuts, Parmigiano and a local extra-virgin oil that is grassy and peppery in all the right ways.
For a main, the whole grilled branzino (sea bass) caught in the Ligurian Sea is the benchmark dish. Ask the waiter which fish came in that morning — the menu shifts with the catch.
The Setting and the Practical Details
The terrace tables are built into the rock face and overhang the water; at night the harbour lights shimmer on the surface below your feet. Lunch here is a leisurely, sun-drenched affair; dinner is more intimate and romantic.
Prices are high by any standard — expect €60–90 per person with wine — but for a special occasion meal in one of the world's most beautiful settings, Il Pitosforo delivers. Reservations are essential in summer; book at least two weeks ahead for a terrace table.
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