21/07/2025: Typical Ligurian dishes, simple in presentation but good, simple cuisine. The atmosphere is decidedly fairytale, but certainly not during mealtimes, when the hustle and bustle of the town's marina prevents either a sea view or a peaceful conversation between diners. Table service is highly questionable.
Having to call a waiter after a 15-minute wait (the room is still empty at the start of the evening) for a menu is certainly not a good start. The young waiter in charge of wine selection is decidedly unprepared. When ordering a 1.5-kilogram sea bream, it's good manners to bring it to the table, having it inspected before cooking, and then having it inspected again after cooking, asking if you'd like it cleaned or cleaned yourself. We had it directly from the kitchen, already cleaned in a sperlunga. The bottle of spicy oil, along with the powdered oil used to season the first courses, remained on the table until coffee. The price is reasonable.
21/07/2025: A Standout Dining Experience in Cinque Terre – Gianni Franzi Is the Real Deal
Despite reading some mixed reviews online, we decided to make a reservation at Gianni Franzi in Vernazza—and we are so glad we did. The owner of our hotel in Corniglia personally recommended it, saying he eats there often himself. Some of the staff, in fact, had previously worked at his own restaurant and were clearly well-trained in both service and hospitality.
We’re a family of four (two adults, two kids), and this turned out to be one of the best meals of our entire stay in Cinque Terre.
To start, our son ordered the mussels, which came in a huge portion—so large, in fact, that he couldn’t finish them (and he's a big eater!). They were fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, and we all ended up sneaking a few. My wife and I shared the Antipasto della Casa, which was a beautiful assortment of seafood and local sardines prepared several different ways. The variety and quality were impressive—every bite offered something new and delicious.
For our mains, we ordered a few different seafood pasta dishes, and each one was better than the last. You could truly taste the freshness of the ingredients and the care that went into each preparation. The local flavors were on full display. To top it all off, we shared a tiramisu for dessert that was absolutely off the charts good—creamy, light, and the perfect end to an amazing meal.
What really elevated the entire experience, though, was the service. Our waiter, Baki, was exceptional—professional, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the food. He took the time to explain the local dishes, offered great recommendations, and even helped us pair our meal with the perfect wine. (And notably, he recommended a wine that was not the most expensive on the list—something we really appreciated.)
Over the course of our trip, we ate in various towns—Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Manarola—and while we had some good meals, Gianni Franzi was the only restaurant that truly stood out and deserved a glowing review.
If you're in Vernazza and want a meal that showcases the best of Ligurian seafood, served with care and attention, don’t hesitate to book a table here. It was a highlight of our trip, and we would absolutely return.
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