Cinque Terre restaurant experiences 2 yr old or newer

We had a lovely lunch at Nessun Dorma in Manarola on October 4, 2018. It was very hot in Cinqueterre and still quite crowded but not unmanageable. Anyway we had a variety of antipasti--prosciutto e melone, crostini, salamis, olives, etc. We ordered these great drinks called Limoncino Spritz--limoncino, prosecco, soda, fresh mint leaves. So delicious and refreshing. The outdoor restaurant has a great view of Manarola and they even have water misters set up to cool off the diners while they eat!
I'd go back there in a heartbeat.

Last fall, Da Billy was still terrific (Manarola) and Il Pirata in Vernazza is still great.

I am staying in Manarola about the same time. Dal Billy keeps coming up as I do my research. People seem to really love it. I'm hoping we'll go. Our only reservation is that my husband is not a fan of fish, and the menu seems to be heavily fish. They do have a basil pesto dish we are looking forward to.

Yes, the other one that seems to pop up is Il Porticciolo. Also many recommendations for Il Pirata in Vernazza but I think it's more known for it breakfast and pasteries (not that there's anything wrong with that!).

In Manarola, we had a lovely lunch at Ristorante di Aristide. Neither of us had fish this time (oddly enough.) I had trofie al ligure, a delicious pasta dish with pesto, served with green beans and potatoes. Stan had gnocchetti al bolognese.

We had a good dinner in Monterosso, at a tiny little back alley place where we seemed to be the only tourists. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have the name down. My notes have "Ristorante al " which doesn't help. Turn right down a tiny street as you're going up the hill. It's on the left, down some stairs. :-)

Oh, this was last year, by the way. April of 2018.

Jane, if you have the time and want to know the name of the restaurant (as do the rest of us, haha), you could use google maps and look up Monterosso. and look in the general area that you think it is located. Or use google maps to show you all the restaurants. I am more familiar with Maps.me and the closer you get in a selected area, the more businesses will show. Although inquiring minds do want to know, I personally like a record of special places in my travels. Just a thought.

OK, Jules m, I'll give it a try. I'll report back if I can figure it out.

What do you mean all the reviews are old?? There are multitudes of websites that contain reviews. I contribute heavily to TripAdvisor, and the manarola restaurants listed there have many reviews and several of those reviews are within the last few days....

Jules M, it might be Ristorante al Carugio. Via San Pietro 9. At least, the photos on google maps look familiar, and it's the only one I've found with the name "Ristorante al " anything.

Thank you!

Edit to add: Or Ristorante al Pozzo, Via Roma 26. But I'm pretty sure it's al Carugio. I think I would have remembered the name "Pozzo," and the pictures of the food at Carugio look familiar - the way the fritti misti were served. But the picture of the entrance of al Pozzo looks familiar, too.

I guess the only solution is to try both of them!

Thanks Jane! Tripadvisor reviews do describe it as a "hidden gem", "hideawy", "down and alley" and "tucked away". Pictures look yummy. Had to laugh, first review, "excellent service" and the second review "unfriendly staff"! It sounds like a good find

Thank you, jules m, for the tip. I'm going to bookmark this thread just for that.

Staying in Mid October and just made my reservations at Dal Billy through the hotel. I couldn't get the time I wanted to may want to book now....