The 12 best bars in Reggio Calabria and surroundings chosen by Gambero Rosso

Places for meeting and conviviality par excellence, bars in Reggio Calabria are characterised by a rich and articulated offer, designed to be enjoyed throughout the entire day. The city on the “toe” of the boot shares many specialities with neighbouring Sicily, in particular with Messina, separated only by a narrow Strait. One example is the viennesi, a kind of maritozzi made with brioche dough, one of the unmissable pastries to have at breakfast in Reggio, alongside croissants and pastries, a cappuccino or an almond milk. For snacks, there is room for cannoli, mignon, modern or traditional pastries, with tea cookies, almond pastries and creations with the citrusy scent of bergamot, a local product of excellence. And it is always the territory that inspires the flavours of gelato, granita and cremolato to be enjoyed with a classic brioche bun, as one does here. Often, the offer also includes typical savoury snacks and the tavola calda (hot plate dishes), allowing snacks or full-flavoured lunch breaks, as well as aperitif, be it for pre-lunch or evening, rich with fried snacks, slices of pizza and mouth-watering delicacies to accompany cocktails or classic drinks, which occupies a prominent role. Here is an itinerary of the best 12 bars in Reggio Calabria and surroundings from the Bar d'Italia 2024 guide.

Fiore Nuovo

Established in 1981, it is famous mainly for its cakes, also made in cake design. The cafeteria proposal, which starts with a full-bodied espresso with a good persistence, stays on the classic, albeit with some variations such as variegated coffee. Cream doughnuts, croissants, Venetian pastries and a patisserie that follows tradition and ranges from tartufini, babas, cream puffs and fruit tartlets to local specialities such as susumelle, aniseed biscuits and almond pastries. The ice cream is good, to be enjoyed unfailingly with brioche. In addition to Christmas panettone, here you can find a good repertoire of traditional sweets according to the calendar.

Fiore Nuovo - Viale Calabria, 318 – Facebook

Rio Bar

Less than a five-minute walk from the Aragonese Castle is the Rio Bar, a café that has been in business for over 30 years but with a modern look and a well-rounded offer throughout the day. It starts at breakfast with croissants and brioche to go with espressos, cappuccinos and various drinks. There is no lack of a valid assortment of pastries, mainly in the classic style, and a valid catering offer for the lunch break, which satisfies with first and second courses, side dishes and salads. The aperitifs are pleasant, with cocktails or glasses of wine to be savoured while enjoying the rich accompaniment of pizza slices, rustics and various samples.

Rio Bar – Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 468 – Facebook

San Francesco

A long-standing name, it is a family-run coffee and pastry shop housed in a room with large white arches and wooden details. The highlight here is the coffee, roasted by artisans to give life to a blend that is beautifully enhanced in cups and mugs. For breakfast accompaniments there are the typical Viennese, brioche, plaits and pastries, while for snacks or take-away the showcase offers classic pastries and local specialities, from almond cakes to piparelli and susumelle, even pistachio and bergamot. There are also ice creams, semifreddi and cakes, even customised ones. Above the patisserie is the Storie di gusto restaurant and pizzeria, open for lunch and dinner.

San Francesco - Via Sbarre Centrali, 599 – sanfrancescopasticceriabar.it

Bar Winner

A pastry bar and ice-cream parlour, it is always popular thanks to its versatile offer, pleasant ambience and central location. The cafeteria offers espressos and cappuccinos - both of good quality - and hot and cold variants, from shaken coffees to Moroccan and mouth-watering versions such as caffè Venezia. The sweet offer is wide and inviting, which in addition to croissants (also two-coloured), maritozzi with cream and cream dumplings, includes dry pastries, assorted pastries and mignons. On fine days, ice cream is popular, to be enjoyed with fragrant brioche. A pride of the house is certainly the aperitif, served with fried food, many appetisers (mini buns, pizzas, rustics and stuffed croissants) and a varied choice of cocktails and beers. Another location in Gallico at Via Nazionale 89.

Bar Winner - Corso Garibaldi, 322 – barwinner.it

Morabito

A bar, but also a patisserie and ice-cream parlour, it is a happily located establishment, a stone's throw from the Ardore seafront. Here you can even stop by for a simple coffee, from a blend of Arabica, which in the cup is full-bodied, naturally sweet and with good aromaticity. For breakfast or an afternoon break, you can then count on a varied choice of croissants and a vast assortment of classic and traditional pastries, in which the Sicilian cannoli and cream puffs, filled with cream or coffee cream, stand out. There is no shortage of homemade ice cream (the speciality is the Magnum flavour), and the menu also includes creams and fruit smoothies. In the afternoon, a simple aperitif with savoury snacks is served. On fine days, a stop in the outdoor seating area is recommended.

Morabito - via G. Carducci, 73 - Ardore (RC)

Fratelli Canturi

Opened in the 1980s, this pastry bar is a staple for Bianco residents and tourists who frequent the area in summer. It offers a classic cafeteria, to be accompanied by a varied range of pastries including croissants, Viennese, Sicilian cannoli, mignons and pastries. A genuine proposal made in the wake of tradition, to which is added the production of chocolate, classic and modern cakes, doves and panettone cakes during the holidays. It is difficult at snack time to resist the temptation of a good ice cream, strictly to be combined with soft brioche. Aperitifs with soft drinks, savouries and other snacks.

F.lli Canturi - p.zza G. Marconi, 3 – Bianco (RC) – barcanturi.com

Scutellà

It is a place of classic elegance that of pastry chef Rocco Scutellà, a name renowned not only in the region, who knows how to skilfully combine the best of classic and traditional pastry with contemporary touches and attention to the territory. Right from the morning you can enjoy excellent espressos and cappuccinos to go with excellent pastries (including maritozzi with cream), or refresh yourself in the summer with an excellent ice cream and brioche. Every aspect of the offer is taken care of in detail, even in the presentation of modern single portions and cakes. The pride of the house are the typical sweets, made according to tradition, from almond pastries to stomatico, piparelli, straccette, pitte and the famous pure almond torrone. Also worth trying is the bergamot panettone, a local glory. You can also have a tasty aperitif.

Scutellà - Via Roma, 19 – Delianuova (RC) – scutella.it

Bar del Tocco

A historic landmark in the heart of the village of Gerace, pastry chef and ice-cream maker Giuseppe Rinaldis's place is a real safe haven. The croissants are often found warm in the morning and are really well made, but there is certainly no lack of choice when looking at the large counter. Tartlets, almond pastries and fragrant cannoli with an excellent ricotta cream are ideal for an afternoon break. The café keeps good company, with balanced cappuccinos and espressos that reveal an aromatic bouquet with notes of chocolate and spices. Among the workhorses are the renowned granitas (from coffee to mulberry, strawberry, chocolate, pistachio, roasted almond) and cremolatas, perfect with soft brioche. At Christmas, don't miss the handmade nougat. This is also a recommended address for lunchtime and aperitifs, with very tasty express platters and appetisers.

Bar del Tocco - Piazza del Tocco, 7 - Gerace (RC) – bardeltocco.com

Royal Gar

A pastry shop opened in 1977 by Riccardo Manuli and later taken over by his sons Ivan and Dario, who take care of the pastry and beverage departments respectively. From the café comes an excellent espresso (a blend of Arabica), fine and persistent on the palate, with notes of toasted hazelnut and its balanced acidity. Cappuccinos and Moroccans are also well executed, and on the sweet side there is a good selection of leavened pastries and confectionery, among which we recommend the creme brioche, fruit tarts and sugar-coated doughnuts. There are also mouth-watering sideboard cakes and ice cream in a wide range of flavours. For aperitifs, there is a choice of pizzas, sandwiches with homemade bacon and rustics. On Sunday mornings, fried doughnuts and hot doughnuts in many variations.

Royal Gar - via Roma, 75 – Gioia Tauro (RC) – royalgar1977.com

Golosìa

Golosìa stands out on the local scene, thanks to a proposal that plays on several fronts combined with friendly and efficient service. The coffee bar is good, starting with a sweet, full-bodied espresso (from a blend of Arabica and Robusta) and continuing with a long list of derivatives, both classic and more elaborate such as shaken coffee with pistachio ice cream. To accompany, for breakfast or snack, brioche and Danish, biscuits, cannoli, delicacies such as Setteveli with pistachio or smeraldino. The ice cream and granitas, especially the fig granita, are excellent. At lunchtime there are fish dishes, sandwiches and hamburgers, while for aperitifs there are cocktails and snacks, from chips and olives to pizzas, focaccia, fried food and mini buns. The beautiful outdoor seating area is lit up in the evening creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Golosìa - piazza Zaleuco – Marina di Gioiosa Jonica (RC) – golosiaonline.it

Mileto - Artigiani della Bontà dal 1979

The day starts better with breakfast at Mileto's, where authenticity has been at home for forty years. A bakery and pastry shop with a bar and snack bar, it is characterised by an articulate, quality proposal. From the cafeteria come 100% Arabica espressos with lovely fruity and cocoa notes and creamy cappuccinos to go with nicely flaky croissants, muffins, biscuits of all kinds and tasty tarts and homemade cakes. Specialities include bread (or rather breads, classic and special) made with stone-ground flours, and nacatole (typical hand-braided biscuits). An excellent address for lunch, which flows between sandwiches, focaccias, pan pizzas in many different fillings and the typical stuffed pizzas; and also first courses, main courses and vegetables from the diner. Smiles and courtesy are never lacking.

Mileto - Artigiani della Bontà dal 1979 - via A. Gramsci, 93 - Melicucco [RC] – panificiomileto.it

Bar del Cacciatore

Located along the Jonica state road and enjoying a beautiful panoramic view is the Bar del Cacciatore, since 1970 a reference point in the area for the many tourists and commuters passing through these parts. A bar and pastry shop, it offers a tempting and varied proposal, starting with breakfast pastries (croissants in primis), passing through pastries and mignons, recurrence cakes, typical dry pastries, granitas and ice creams to go with brioche. The espresso (made from a 100% Arabica blend) is good, the balanced cappuccinos, shaken coffees and cold versions are also good. The savoury section is inviting, with arancini, calzoni, pizzettas and sandwiches. The aperitif, with abundant appetisers and local wines, is highly recommended. Cosy place, affable service.

Bar del Cacciatore - via Nazionale, 54 - Motta San Giovanni [RC] fraz Lazzaro - Facebook