Where to eat on the Island of Elba. The best restaurants

It is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and a popular tourist destination. The island conquers with its changing landscape, impervious in the interior and offering joys to bathers of all ages on the coast, from those who love diving, to families with children. The facilities are also designed to suit all budgets, and the quaint resort towns boast harbours and alleyways with a lively nightlife. Sporty types and hikers in the open air will also find something to their liking, as will gourmet food lovers: the best products include extra virgin olive oil and native wines, while the multifaceted gastronomy seduces every palate.

Where to eat on the Island of Elba

L'Affrichella

Restaurant. In business since 1980, in the old town centre, it is a solid point of reference. Relaxed and seated at the outdoor tables, guests enjoy excellent fish dishes that are a little different from the usual, prepared with care and attention to pairings. There is also an adequate choice of wines.
L'Affrichella – Marciana Marina (LI) - via Santa Chiara, 7 – 0565 904607 – Facebook Profile

Bitta 20

Restaurant. Strategically located along the Medici dockyard, with a view of the moored boats and the sea, this is a well-kept, cosy restaurant whose cuisine has its strength in the quality of its ingredients, from seafood to Elba farm produce. Well-chosen wines in the cellar.
Bitta 20 – loc. Portoferraio (LI) - calata G. Mazzini, 20 – 0565 930270 – bitta20.it

Capo Nord

Restaurant. The location is spectacular, as is the view from the tables outside this local restaurant. The careful search for the best ingredients - fish first and foremost - is combined with a skilled hand in the kitchen that creates dishes of great flavour and balance. Very well-stocked wine cellar.
Capo Nord – Marciana Marina (LI) - loc. La Fenicia – 0565 996983 – ristorantecaponordelba.it

La Perla Beach

Restaurant. Overlooking the beach with well-appointed spaces and spectacular views, especially at sunset, this is a coffee bar, pizzeria, but also a place for aperitifs and expertly prepared fish dishes, from crudo to grilled fish. To complete the picture, a wine list centred on the offer.
La Perla Beach – Procchio (LI) - via Campo all'Aia, 1 – 333 8427807 – Facebook Profile

La Taverna dei Poeti

Restaurant. One of the most interesting places on the island, solid and reliable. Guests sit in cosy spaces to enjoy dishes straddling sea and land that are well presented, modern but without overdoing it. Home-made bread, fresh pasta and desserts. In the wine cellar, Elba and other Italian labels and a few craft beers.
La Taverna dei Poeti – Capoliveri (LI) - via Roma, 14 – 0565 968306 – latavernadeipoeti.com

Island of Elba, the best trattorias

Osteria Cacio & Vino

Trattoria. In a small village inland from the coast, a cosy little place with a lively atmosphere and a panoramic outdoor seating area. Pleasant dishes from the kitchen, which brings generous and tasty dishes of both land and sea to the table. The attention to the younger guests is to be commended. Very fair prices.
Osteria Cacio & Vino – San Piero in Campo (LI) - via della Porta, 12 – 0565 983351 – Facebook Profile

Trattoria di pesce Il Giardino

Trattoria. The (seasonal) venue says it all, here fish is the absolute star of a menu built practically day by day, according to the catch brought ashore by the fishing boats. The staff knows their way around the kitchen and the dishes that arrive on the table leave guests more than satisfied. No small detail, a magnificent panoramic outdoor area.
Trattoria di pesce Il Giardino – Capoliveri (LI) - via Circonvallazione, 138 – 0565 1792342 – Pacebook Profile

Osteria del Noce

Trattoria. A leafy walnut tree and many flowering plants adorn the beautiful panoramic terrace, but the indoor dining room is also very welcoming. A long-established, popular restaurant (be sure to call for a reservation), now under new management that remains true to its spirit. The cuisine moves on an Elba-Liguria track with a creative touch, and mainly island wines to wash it down.
Osteria del Noce – Marciana (LI) - via della Madonna, 14 – 0565 901284 – osteriadelnoce.com

Island of Elba, the best bistros

Molo G Osteria Portuale

Bistro. Where there used to be a shipyard today there is a bistro with a terrace overlooking the lagoon and a garden that was created as a tasty haven for seafarers. The atmosphere is relaxed, the decor made up of a thousand objects. Lean menu of the day including a few vegan dishes. Mostly Elba-native wine list.
Molo G Osteria Portuale – Portoferraio (LI) - v.le T. Tesei, 33 – 0565 915024 – Facebook Profile

Orti di Mare

Bistro. A country establishment with various accommodation options, from flats to glamping tents. To eat, in season only, there is the Ristoro Rurale, which serves simple, tasty food in the open air, based mainly on home-grown vegetables. Booking always required.
Orti di Mare – Lacona (LI) - via dei Vigneti, 522 – 351 9060631 – ortidimare.it

Island of Elba, the best wine bars and street food

Passione Champagne

Wine Bar. Ilenia and Massimo, united in life and work, are the architects of this establishment that offers some 250 labels of Champagne and 750 of wine. Massimo in particular, a member of the Ordres des Coteaux, has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject. Wines tasted on the premises, paired with quality delicacies.
Passione Champagne – Portoferraio (LI) - calata G. Mazzini, 24 – 342 8983990 – passionechampagne.it

Il Polpaio

Street Food. The tradition of the polpai, the fishermen who sold octopus in the street, is part of Elba's history. Today, the baton has been passed on to this three-wheel ApeCar, which on the island offers the typical granfia (boiled octopus tentacle served on a fork) and a tasty fish fry.
Il Polpaio – Portoferraio (LI) – 377 6813186 – Facebook Profile

by Clara Barra and Valentina Marino