Where to eat in Lignano Sabbiadoro: the 8 best spots chosen by Gambero Rosso

Equidistant from Trieste and Venice, Lignano Sabbiadoro, thanks to enlightened local administration, offers a rich calendar of events of all kinds throughout the year, making the town always lively and welcoming. The gastronomic scene is also highly satisfying, with a cuisine based on excellent local fish and superb regional wines. Here are the best places to eat in Lignano Sabbiadoro.

Where to eat in Lignano Sabbiadoro

Balan

Restaurant. Opened in March 2024 by Giulio Simionato and Edoardo Zanelli (at the stoves), it quickly climbed into the upper echelons of Lignano’s dining scene. Spectacular location, warmly welcoming service. Once you read the menu, you’ll want to try everything. Highlights include: seared scallops with aubergines and green figs, spaghettoni with peverasse clams, garlic, oil, chili, preserved lemon, and confit tomatoes; oven-baked catch of the day with sliced potatoes. The various types of raw fish are splendid. Menus priced at €50 (for vegetarians), €65, and €75. Excellent wines.

Balan – via Lagunare, 14/1 – 0431 1770856 – www.dabalanlignano.it

Al Cason

Restaurant. Arrive at sunset, when you can enjoy a wonderful view from the beautiful terrace overlooking the water, accompanied by a cocktail and good music. Stay longer to fully savor a high-quality cuisine where excellent products (especially fish) and expert craftsmanship meet. Note that the bread, fresh pasta, and desserts are homemade. The wine list is a delightful surprise, with over 800 references, including a hundred Champagnes.

Al Cason – frazione Lignano Riviera corso dei Continenti, 167 – 0431 423029 – www.ristorantealcason.it

Osteria Corso 21

Osteria. Ideal for a quick pit stop with a sandwich, an aperitif with “right” glasses and a tempting array of typical “cicchetti” on display at the counter, or a proper meal. Among the dishes: spaghetti with octopus ragout or clams, mussel pepper soup, baby octopus with polenta, fried fish, and a good version of tiramisu to finish. Decent wine selection. Outdoor tables, informal setting, convivial and relaxed atmosphere, light bill.

Osteria Corso 21 – via Udine, 21 – 393 0131978 – www.osteriacorsoudine21.it

Mandi Parentesi Friulana

Bistro. Managed by the Cepele family, this contemporary design venue in the center sees twins Egi and Mali dividing their time between the kitchen and the dining room. It offers a contemporary formula and highly satisfying cuisine, creatively reinterpreted and based on high-quality regional products and fresh fish, both carefully selected. The space is welcoming and modern, with a pleasant outdoor terrace. The wine cellar focuses on Friulian labels. Themed evenings are organized throughout the year.

Mandi Parentesi Friulana – viale Italia, 16 – 348 1619336 – www.mandiparentesifriulana.it

Il Panino a modo tuo

Sandwich Shop. From a well-stocked counter of cold cuts, meats, cheeses, preserves, vegetables, and sauces, you can choose the filling for your sandwich: the ingredients are of high quality, and the ciabatta or baguette that holds the fillings is crispy and flavorful, perfect for an economical and tasty lunch. Various options are available, from roast beef sandwiches to tuna fillet sandwiches. You can also opt for a mixed platter of cold cuts and cheeses, a toast, a tramezzino, or a tart. You can sit in if you wish. Mostly beer is served.

Il Panino a modo tuo – viale Gorizia, 2 – 338 9236413 –www.facebook.com/IlPaninoaModoTuo/

La Pigna

Restaurant. Starting as a trattoria in 1995, La Pigna has gradually “matured” into a true restaurant, offering modern and original cuisine that doesn’t forget tradition and enhances selected ingredients with advanced techniques. Examples: eel with soy, leek, juniper red beets, and honey; fusilloni with anchovy butter and seaweed powder; desalinated cod and spiced chicken broth. The setting is informal and meticulously detailed, with a charming outdoor area. The wine list is interesting, favoring local labels. La Pigna is also a hotel and wine bar.

La Pigna – frazione Lignano Pineta via dei Pini, 9 – 0431 428991 – www.ristorantelapigna-lignano.it

Ricky Hostaria

Bistro. A solid reference point for enjoying sea and land cuisine, characterized by quality attention and seasonality of ingredients, ranging from traditional dishes to more modern preparations. From the menu: breaded sardines with tartar sauce, crispy tacos with amberjack, mango, and hemp mayo, cold spaghetti with coconut curry, vegetables, and crab, rabbit roll with black olives and carrot cream, lychee sorbet. Good drink selection.

Ricky Hostaria – frazione Lignano Pineta corso degli Alisei, 5 – 0431 423910 – www.facebook.com

The Taste & Al Bancut del Monaco Suites Hotel

Restaurant. Arnaldo Anastasia, who has managed Al Bancut since 1979, thanks to an idea by Enrico Salvadori, the owner of Monaco Suites, was welcomed into the hotel in April 2024, bringing with him his wealth of experience. The cuisine, led by chef Rudi Santuz, is based on fish and carefully selected ingredients that become the stars of well-made, focused dishes with well-balanced flavors. All this is accompanied by an elegant setting, impeccable service, and a good choice of labels.

The Taste & Al Bancut del Monaco Suites Hotel – viale Gorizia, 24 – 0431 71926 – www.thetastealbancut.it/