Ristorante Miky in Monterosso: Fresh Goodness from the Sea in Cinque Terre

We were excited about visiting Ristorante Miky in lovely Monterosso, the northernmost of the 5 villages making up Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. Rick Steves is quoted as saying that Ristorante Miky is, “Quite possibly the best cuisine in Monterosso.” Although I obviously have not been to all of the restaurants in Monterosso, I agree that our dining experience here was one of the highlights of our three weeks in Italy.

Location:  On the beach at Via Fegina 104, 19016 in Monterosso, in picturesque [amazon_textlink asin=’1631216171′ text=’Cinque Terre’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8410e565-ff91-11e7-ae8e-8f393b23f4ee’]. Ristorante Miky is just a short walk from the train station and overlooks the beach.

Menu:  The fresh seafood, pasta, desserts, and other dishes are all top notch. In addition to the outstanding quality of the food and wine, the wait staff puts on a bit of a theatrical show. Guests are mesmerized by flaming pasta dishes and the culinary mastery of the staff expertly deboning a whole seabass tableside. It really is dinner and a show.

Ristorante Miky is best known for their fresh seafood, pasta, beautiful location, and excellent wine list. The kitchen is very creative and makes the most of the plentiful seafood and local produce that is grown in the area. Each dish is carefully crafted for the best in taste and appearance.

Starters and appetizers include delicious Grilled calamari, Stuffed Mussels, and a flavorful Beet soup with white cheese and hazelnuts.

Some popular seafood main dishes include Baked Sea Bass with scalloped potatoes (expertly deboned tableside), Seafood Risotto, and the Mixed Grill Seafood Platter. And yes, tuna is on the menu –  twice ! Diners can choose from the tasty Tuna Tartare or the succulent Seared Tuna.

Other dishes of note are the Homemade Noodles with Black Truffle, Norcia Spaghetti alla chitara with porcini mushrooms, Soufflé of Parmesan Cheese with cream of pumpkin timbale, and the Taleggio Cheese Fondue.

Desserts include a tasty Pistachio Meringue, a traditional Tiramisu, and a decadent three-layer chocolate mousse.

Ristorante Miky has an extensive wine list, including Sassarini, a fantastic local white wine that complemented the seafood beautifully.

Thoughts: If you are planning a trip to Cinque Terre, I would definitely put Ristorante Miky on your itinerary. The location is within a few minutes’ walk from the train station, so even if you are staying overnight in one of the other four villages in the Cinque Terre, you are only a short train ride away.

Noting the line forming outside the front door, we made our way inside since we had 7:00 reservations. We were warmly welcomed and promptly seated inside the elegant, refined dining room. Sara, one of the managers, introduced herself and the staff to us, who were very professional and friendly.

This family-run establishment is one of the most popular in Monterosso, as evidenced by the excellent reviews and the line of people waiting to get inside. Sara and her dedicated team have created one of the most memorable dining experiences in Cinque Terre at Ristorante Miky. The stylish décor, outstanding food and wines, and great location on the beach make for a perfect dining experience.  This Michelin starred restaurant with the personable staff will ensure you will make your visit to Ristorante Miky a memorable one, and plan for that return trip.

This place has become enormously popular in recent years. First of all, world-renowned travel writer [amazon_textlink asin=’163121666X’ text=’Rick Steves’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e3abfebb-ff91-11e7-be0f-17f405d5a180′] put Cinque Terre on the travel radar of millions of tourists with his reporting. Furthermore, rave reviews by Steves, TripAdvisor, and other travel sources added to the popularity of Ristorante Miky. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak tourist season.

There is some limited outdoor seating with a view of the beautiful Ligurian Sea during nice weather. When I return to Monterosso, you can bet Ristorante Miky will be one of my stops for a special evening. I can taste it already.

Prices: Expect to pay more at this Michelin starred restaurant than most other restaurants in the area, but it is well worth it. Entrees range from 20 – 40 Euros.

Disclosure: The author enjoyed a complimentary dinner at Ristorante Miky.