A seaside town in the province of Ancona with fewer than 45,000 inhabitants, Senigallia boasts the highest concentration of gourmet spots in Italy relative to its size. Welcome to Senigallia, which, besides the famous seaside roundabout sung about by Fred Bongusto in the 1960s, its pleasant sea, and a packed summer events calendar, offers a truly surprising food and wine scene at all levels. Here are the places not to miss.
Where to eat and drink in Senigallia
Anikò
Street food. Created by Moreno Cedroni (see below), Anikò is an "author's kiosk" ideal for an aperitif or informal dinner with treats like the Happy Toast with zucchini and salmon, shrimp hot dog, and succulent seafood lasagna with lime and coconut sauce, as well as the legendary "sushi & susci" Cedroni style. Tables on the pedestrian island, music, and drinks. Young and friendly service. Open only in the summer season.
Anikò - p.zza Saffi, 10 - 071 7931228 - morenocedroni.it
Cracker of moeca, Spritz, and fake fish stuffed with crab and leek
La Madonnina del Pescatore
Restaurant. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Moreno Cedroni remains the eternal boy who looks at the world and contemporary cuisine with the playful and curious gaze of the first day. In 2024, the tasting menu is dedicated to Marco Polo's journey, striking a balance between the desire to amaze with playful flavors (forms, catchy names, and original stories) and the ability to go deep, hitting the mark with well-executed techniques. Highlights from the Silk Road tour? Moeca cracker with accompanying Spritz (Venice), lentil and hazelnut waffle, cuttlefish eggs and pink sauce, amberjack ceviche with woodland hints, partridge in soy and honey, enoki mushroom sauce, and Chartreuse (Tehran). Rounding out the magic is hostess Mariella Organi.
La Madonnina del Pescatore - l.mare Italia, 11 – 071 698267 - morenocedroni.it
Mercato Trattoria Pop
Trattoria. Why settle for just Marchigian cuisine when great Italian cuisine is made up of many regional traditions? This young and dynamic spot in the historic center serves dishes like Mantuan pumpkin tortelli with cacio e pepe sauce, boiled meat croquettes with green sauce and Cremona mustard, and spaghetti 30 rossi with tomato and basil sauce. The service is informal yet attentive and kind, with a wine list featuring interesting selections from all over.
Mercato Trattoria Pop - via Maierini, 6 - 071 2413266 -mercatotrattoriapop.it
Mezzometro Senigallia
Pizzeria. The Coppari brothers focus on highly hydrated doughs in the Roman schiacciata style, topped with quality local ingredients and beyond. The "mezzometro" flatbread arrives steaming, with a crispy base and large air pockets. There's also the classic round and stuffed focaccia. The menu offers a wide range of flavors, from traditional to more creative and seasonal versions, like the "10 verdure per te" and fish variations. There are also sweet options, along with homemade semifreddi and spoon desserts.
Mercato Trattoria Pop - via Maierini, 6 - 071 2413266 -mercatotrattoriapop.it
Nana Piccolo Bistrò
Bistro. A young and dynamic spot with a modern culinary soul, evident in the ideas, products, and cooking techniques. The passion for Spain is clear, from the ingredients to several dishes (Cantabrian anchovies with Pata Negra lard, Galician-style roasted octopus, Iberian lamb, "tortillitas" with whitebait and crab). Wine enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice. There's also Casa Nana, a shop and spot for treats and aperitifs.
Nana Piccolo Bistrò - via G. Carducci, 19 – 071 64999 - nanapiccolobistro.it
Pandefrà
Bakery. A new location in the center, a two-story spot where you can sit inside or outside for breakfast (they also serve filter coffee), brunch, lunch, or a snack. The quality of the bread is always excellent, carefully crafted to ensure taste, digestibility, and shelf life (try the multigrain). The offerings include pastries like perfectly flaky croissants, cardamom knots, pizzas and focaccias, quiches, and rustic pies. The cheese pizza is outstanding. Cookies and large holiday leavened goods are also for sale. Pandefrà Lab on Via Copernico 8 remains active.
Pandefrà - via Gherardi, 65 - 071 6627658 - pandefra.it
Sepia by Niko
Restaurant. In a charming corner of the historic center (right opposite Casa Nana, by the way, see above), this is a pleasant Mediterranean eatery with Sicilian echoes from the chef Niko’s origins, along with Marche references. Think busiate with eggplant, swordfish, tomatoes, and mint, gnocchi with mussels, pecorino, and paccasassi (a wild herb typical of Conero), raw tuna, almonds, and pappa al pomodoro. The wine list offers fun choices, and the service is all about making customers feel at ease.
Sepia by Niko - p.zza Del Duca, 11 – 338 4485682 - facebook.com
Uliassi
Restaurant. Mauro Uliassi's new Lab, the chef and owner of Senigallia's other fine dining star, showcases masterstrokes every year. In 2024, it brings back the sea and mountain cuisine: starting with a hot/cold seafood dish, moving on to earthier flavors, and ending with pasta. The 10-course tasting menu (plus the indispensable hazelnut and foie gras wafer and petit fours) costs €260 and focuses on the "musicality" of dishes that complement each other in a journey born from research during the seasonal closure. A multisensory and immersive experience where even seemingly hardcore dishes like sheep kidney, icy shrimp, and nutmeg become an authentic melody.
Uliassi - via Banchina di Levante, 6 – 071 65463 - uliassi.it
Trattoria Vino e Cibo
Trattoria. In one of the alleys of the center, "the archetype of the trattoria": in its decor, essential table settings, informal atmosphere, and, of course, the form and substance of the menu presented on an easel that moves around the room. It lists dishes based on local fish (mackerel, weever, skate, sardines, mussels, and clams), all strictly local. Don't miss the bread and mackerel and baked razor clams, but there are also more modern creations (prawns, orange sauce, fennel, fennel seeds, olives, and orange). The wine list is minimal, focusing on regional wines, some by the glass. Better to book.
Trattoria Vino e Cibo - via Fagnani, 16 – 071 63206 - Facebook
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