Savoring the Traditional Foods of Italy’s Northwest Coast

A vacation in Genoa is as much about savoring the Italian delicacies that sum up the very best of this Northwestern coastal province as it is about enjoying the lovely atmosphere. The very special traditional dishes of Genoa are influenced by this location that serves as Italy’s principal seaport. Located in the heart of Italy’s Liguria region and in close proximity to the French border, Genoa is well known for its ‘Mediterranean flair’. As a major sea-faring city, of course, scrumptious seafood delicacies are commonly featured in Genoa’s cuisine with local fisherman hauling in fresh anchovies, octopus, mussels, rock fish and scampi. Genoa’s focus on chartered fishing and seafood dining is very similar to vacationing in Los Cabos, Mexico. However, you won’t find accomodations in Genoa quite as secluded as; Cabo villas or the seafood dishes as spicy.

On vacation in Genoa, what traditional Italian dishes can you expect to find?

Tourists who have come to Genoa to eat won’t be disappointed. Dining out is a big event—a mixture of relaxation, and taking in the authentic Italian atmosphere in one of Genoa’s many restuarants in the lovely Old Town district where local workers who come to socialize will likely dine on hearty, no frills meals at rather reasonable prices such as these:

1. Seafood dishes: Genoa is also renowned for its bountiful seafood cuisine. Seafood establishments dot the landscape surrounding Genoa’s Porto Antico district, where hearty appetizers like Zuppa di pesce (fish soup), a soup of mussels and rock fish as well as mussels and seafood scampi often start off a meal.

2. Olive oil: Liguria is renowned for its light and fruity olive oil and most restaurants will feature their oil in pastas, on pizzas and as a bread dipper. As the main producing region of olive oil in all of Italy, oil from the Liguria region is aptly named “Olio Ligure” (or olive oil from Ligura) for the plant that is used to produce it and only grows within this region.

3. Pesto: One of the main regional dishes of Genoa is pesto. Made from basil, garlic, pine nuts and pecorino cheese ground together in the regions famous “Olive Ligure”, it is usually used as a sauce on pasta or pizza, and it’s also featured as a savory ingredient in local soups.

4. Breads and snacks: Focaccia bread is a Genoa tradition with almost every meal. This variety of flat bread made in the local bakeries and you can find it plain or stuffed with a variety of vegetables—olives and onions. Focaccia is also used as a crust to make vegetable pies or “torta”. If you are sight-seeing in Old Town Genoa, you can stop in at almost any café or bakery for a fresh focaccia.

5. Chickpeas: A major farming produce in Ligura Region, chickpeas are incorporated into a number of traditional Genoa dishes. For instance, farrinata, a type of panzaroti-like snack is folded in flaky chickpea flour, brushed with olive oil and stuffed with ricotta cheese and vegetables.

6. Delicious desserts: When in Italy, it’s a shame to miss dessert with so many sweet treats for the taking. And with the numerous bakeries and ice cream parlors scattered around town, you can’t resist a small taste of the freshly made gelato in numerous flavors (e.g., lime, almond, biscotti, etc.) or a local delicacies like Turkish delight or candied fruits—including include pineapple, cherries, apricots, and orange or grapefruit peel.