Vecchia Cantina D'Orbetello In Orbetello

We stopped by this charming restaurant by chance. We were intrigued by the menu. Delicious, authentic cuisine, just like home. It's a family-run business that adds something extra. We'll definitely be revisiting. The chef's friendliness and helpfulness are beyond description.

Ignore the decor, trust me and come and enjoy the seafood pasta. The spaghetti is al dente and the accompaniment of fresh tomatoes is absolutely delicious. Other decors may be more attractive but misleading in terms of what is on your plate.

LOCATION: We discovered this trattoria while walking. Located on a parallel street off Corso Italia, the restaurant consists of two small rooms, one overlooking the street and the other more internal. It seats just a few people, making it an intimate space. SERVICE: The welcome could have been more attentive. When we asked to change tables, we were met with a slightly annoyed expression, even though we were among the very first customers of the evening. Overall, the service was lackluster, neither excellent nor terrible. The waiting time between arrival, ordering, and the dishes were adequate. THE FOOD: We ordered pasta with clams (€16) and pasta with clams and bottarga (€19). Given the prices, we expected more generous portions. The pasta probably weighed around 70-80 grams, and there were about ten clams on each plate. The bottarga, however, was plentiful. The house white wine was forgettable. The sore point of the dinner was the fried calamari. €16 for the chewiest fried calamari we've ever eaten, served on a very small plate. THE BILL: For two first courses, a second course, a quart of house white wine, and water, we paid €63. Given the food, we'd say the value for money is barely adequate.

Nice and quiet place, seafood dinner, quality at a fair price. Recommended

Very kind, the food is very good.

Visiting from the U.S. with a large group to study food systems and was invited to dine at this restaurant. Everyone had varying food preferences and the chef was able to create dishes that worked for everyone as a group. The food was stellar and cooked very well, including the seafood. The calamari was some of the best calamari I have ever had -- and coming from the Bay Area where calamari is a mainstay on many menus, I can truly recommend it. I love the olive oil flavors and the exterior dining experience on a pretty quiet side of the street. The wine was equally exceptional, not bitter nor too sweet. If you have pre-existing notions of what American-Italian food is, leave them at home and come visit this restaurant with an open mind. Italian food is not what a typical American may think it is supposed to be, in fact, American-Italian food isn't Italian at all.

The sea bass gnocco and fried calamari were all very good. The service was friendly and informal. I appreciated Chef Gigi, who popped in from the kitchen to chat with our table.

Three plates of pasta and a glass of wine €68, pasta dishes very poor in quantity, average taste

Week end passato nella città lagunare, trovato ottimo ristoro presso la Cantina d'Orbetello con ottimi piatti abbondanti e gustosi del cuoco e titolare Pierluigi. Buon servizio da parte della cameriera Giulia che, fra una portata ed un'altra, ha I trattenuta nostra figlia. Da ritornarci😃

We are looking for a restaurant to have an early dinner and then watch the sunset over the Orbetello lagoon... we enter attracted by the fish soup on the menu... the chef prepares it on the spot... in the meantime we eat excellent fish croutons... the soup arrives... super... we book for the following evening... spaghetti with prawns... top... the white wine offered by the glass is excellent