Osteria Della Merla In Gualtieri

01/03/2026: I can understand that when a restaurant is full, it’s normal you to have to wait. We waited patiently as well, but the service was somehow disorganized. We mentioned this twice. We received the food after about 50 minutes, which it would not have been a problem. Every food arrived one by one, which I don’t think is acceptable for a table of four. The salad arrived after 15 minutes first. Another 20 minutes later, one main course came out. The person had to start eating alone because the food is getting cold Easily. Ten minutes later, another dish arrived, and finally the last two main courses were served together. It’s simply not possible to eat together like this. Unfortunately, the communication does not seem to be working well, and the quality of the service no longer reflects the standard it used to have. I feel sorry about the waiter and waitress,they were doing their best in the full house situation

28/02/2026: Probably the best restaurant in Reggio Emilia! Weekend lunch. I personally really like this location: the fresh fish counter is open to the public, the buffet is open, the light colors and cloth tablecloths are clean, and the space is spacious and well-soundproofed. In my opinion, it perfectly captures the traditional Italian restaurant feel, a touch retro, and I consider that a compliment. You can tell at first glance that this isn't a makeshift restaurant or the whim of an aspiring chef/TV star. I love eating fish, and between business trips and pleasure, I often stop by the restaurant. First of all, the fish menu: just browsing through it, you'll notice a truly impressive variety of fish dishes, and it's hard not to be impressed. There's truly everything you could want, from raw fish and pasta dishes to grilled fish, fillets, and shellfish. I particularly appreciate the menu's wide range of options, including shellfish or fillets, ordered individually or by weight, and the option of grilling or frying. I opted for a first course (pacchero Sinfonia, macchiato, with octopus, shrimp, cuttlefish, and a sensational fresh-from-the-water scampi). The sauce was heartwarming, the pasta was well-cooked and delicious, and the fish was excellent. For the second course, I opted for a combo that I personally really enjoyed and that's not easy to find on menus: the fisherman's delight: mixed grill (one scampi, one prawn, one white fillet) and fried anchovies, cuttlefish, and a few shrimp. I found the combo to be a great success, with a generous portion and all the flavors of the fried and grilled seafood present. Once again, a special mention goes to the scampi, truly excellent. I also appreciated the wine; not the usual Falanghina from the big retailers, but a bit more sophisticated, with a mineral flavor, excellent with fish. The wine list is truly extensive. Excellent service, friendly waiters. When it came to the bill, the owner even discounted the grappa, which is always appreciated. My only complaint: I personally would appreciate a printed menu, although I understand it can be complicated for many reasons. However, it would add that final touch of tradition that would be the icing on the cake. I've been here before for pizza with friends, but now that I've discovered the quality of the fish, I'll be back for more. In short, if you're looking for a real restaurant where you can eat excellent fish and where you can immediately sense that the restaurant has been a tradition for twenty years or more, this is the best restaurant in town.