If you are like us and you enjoy the slightly less touristy, more rustic and authentic feel for your vacation and you want to stay in a place with good views and good food, but without the over crowding of large tour groups you’ll have to choose between Riomaggiore and Manarola. Manarola is slightly larger and slightly more touristy, but boasts what I think is by far the best hiking and restaurant views.
Best things to do in Manarola
Nessun Dorma
Visit the legendary Nessun Dorma Restaurant that sits atop the hill overlooking the town of Manarola and its gorgeous harbor. This hillside bar and restaurant will provide you with the best views and best photos of Manarola that you will ever get. Plus, an absolute must, MUST, MUST for any visit to Cinque Terre is their Pesto Making Class. DO NOT leave Cinque Terre without sitting outside on Nessun Dorma’s jaw dropping veranda, overlooking the harbor of Manarola while drinking wine, and having their owner (quite possibly the nicest guy on earth) teach you how to make pesto from scratch. This is simply put the best experience you will have in Cinque Terre. Also, I don’t want to ruin the story, but ask the owner to tell you how he actually won this stunning bar for free, in the best location in all of Cinque Terre.
Nessun Dorma now uses an app to reserve your spot in line. Simply download the Nessun Dorma app on your mobile device and starting at 11:30am the app will allow you to take a ticket for that same day. The app will then have a counter that counts down the number of people in front of you. If you are in the first 50 tickets, you are required to show up right as they open at noon. After that simply wait until there are approximately 10 people in front of you before presenting yourself to the restaurant. This is their only system of making reservations outside of booking a pesto making class.
After experiencing Manarola from the ski high hills of Nessun Dorma, don’t forget to check out their other location, Cantina Nessun Dorma. This small 16th century stone wine bar near the town church is the perfect place to schedule a wine tasting.
Nessun Dorma also runs two separate boat tours which are worth checking out if you want to see Cinque Terre from the sea while enjoying great food and wine.
Finally stop into La Cantina dello Zio Bramante. This little hole in the wall is great for live local music, delicious wine and cocktails and a small appetizer to share while you enjoy your drinks.
Best places to Eat & Drink in Manarola
Nessun Dorma: Not to put too fine a point on it, but go to Nessun Dorma and eat, drink and make pesto.
Trattoria Dal Billy: This restaurant is not to be missed in Cinque Terre. It’s a local legend and one of the best meals in Cinque Terre. As with almost any place in Cinque, go with seafood and pasta and you will not be disappointed. Reservations highly recommended.
– Il Porticciolo: Known for their spaghetti and clams, mussels, fried squid, pesto, sea bass and squid ink pasta. Reservations necessary
– Gelateria 5 Terre: One of the best gelato places in Cinque Terre. With flavors created from natural local ingredients like lemon, coffee and even basil. They also have an incredible selection of cannoli.
