We are staying three nights in Vernazza this October. If we want to have dinner at one of the other cities, how will we get back to Vernazza? Does the train run after dinner?
Also- any restaurant recommendations?
Thank you!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32402 posts
meghan,
Yes, the trains absolutely operate after dinner. You can check all the details on the Trenitalia website.
The best town to have dinner in (IMO) would be Monterosso as it's the largest of the five and therefore has the greatest number of restaurants. The rail trip from Monterosso to Vernazza is under 5 minutes, so not hard to get from one to the other. There are also some nice restaurants on the main street in Riomaggiore, but I can't recall the names. Others here will be able to provide information on Manarola.
I'll send you a PM with my usual "boilerplate" on restaurants in Monterosso. Be sure to try Pesto in the area where it was invented. I always get a plate of Trofie al Pesto for my first meal on each return visit to Monterosso.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Plenty of good places to eat in Vernazza as well.
Posted by
Madison, WI
105 posts
Meghan, you should be able to catch a train. When I booked several train tickets a few months ago using Trenitalia's website, I recall seeing trains in the Cinque Terre area that were running up until 10 or 11 at night.
As much of a planner as I am, I actually have blank lines in my itinerary during the days that we'll be in Cinque Terre. I am deciding to let our B&B host give us recommendations for restaurants when we arrive and talk to him in person!
Posted by
Winooski, VT
285 posts
Belforte in Vernazza overlooking the sea was about as good as it gets in my opinion. The views alone would have made a bad meal good but the food was perfection. I've never had better pesto in my life. I dream about it, and would go back in a heartbeat.
Trains run plenty late, and they are only a couple minutes between each spot.
Posted by
Abruzzo Mountains
1090 posts
Just a caution about where not to eat - Ristorante dal Billy in Manarola has passed is peak. It's reviewed well all over the web, and by word of mouth from some acquaintances too, but it was one of the worst meals with surliest waiters I had in 7 weeks in Italy last summer.
A Pie' de Ma' in Riomaggiore is a delight. High above the train station, perched on the edge of the sea, with great wine and snacks. The affiliated restaurant is open weekends, reservations mandatory, and looked great...but we didn't have a reservation.