Gambero Rosso Restaurant
Sitting directly on Piazza Marconi with tables practically dangling over the harbour wall, Gambero Rosso has been serving Vernazza's finest seafood since 1966. The kitchen is fiercely local: anchovies from the Ligurian Sea, pesto made with Genoese basil, and pasta rolled that morning.
What to Order
Start with the acciughe al limone — fresh anchovies marinated in lemon juice and local olive oil. They bear no resemblance to the tinned variety; silky, bright, and addictively salty, they are the definitive Ligurian snack.
For a main, the spaghetti alle vongole veraci uses clams pulled from the bay that same morning. The broth is intensely savoury and just garlicky enough. Pair it with a carafe of the house Vermentino from the terraced vineyards you can see from your table.
Atmosphere & Booking
The dining room is small and the terrace fills fast, especially between June and September. Reservations are strongly advised; email or phone ahead at least 48 hours during high season. The staff speak English but will love you more if you attempt even one word of Italian.
Lunch service (12:30–2:30 pm) is marginally quieter than dinner and the light on the harbour at midday is spectacular. Budget roughly €45–65 per person with wine — not cheap by Italian standards, but worth every cent for the location and quality.
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