At lunch in Versilia, between luxury and beaches

Versilia is a beautiful area in Tuscany, Italy, known for its top-notch beach resorts, luxurious villas, and vibrant nightlife. It is a popular destination among celebrities, moguls, and jet-setters who seek tranquility, privacy, and world-class entertainment on the Mediterranean shore. However, Versilia is also a great place for foodies who want to savor delicious local cuisine while enjoying the stunning scenery and relaxed atmosphere.

At lunchtime, Versilia offers a myriad of options for restaurants, trattorias, and cafes that cater to all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, pasta, pizza, or typical Tuscan dishes, you’ll find plenty of choices that combine tradition with innovation, freshness, and quality. Moreover, many restaurants in Versilia offer outdoor seating with sea views, making your meal even more enjoyable and memorable.

One of the best places to have lunch in Versilia is Viareggio, a lively coastal town known for its long sandy beach, elegant promenade, and colorful Art Nouveau buildings. Viareggio is also home to some of the best seafood restaurants in the region, where you can taste freshly caught fish, clams, mussels, and octopus, prepared in different ways and served with local wines and bread. Some of the most popular seafood specialties in Viareggio include cacciucco, a hearty fish and tomato soup, spaghetti alle vongole, pasta with clams and garlic, and fritto misto, a mix of fried seafood.

If you prefer meat, cheese, and wine, you should head to the nearby town of Camaiore, which is nestled in the hills and surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and chestnut woods. Camaiore is renowned for its delicious salumi, cured meats that range from prosciutto and salami to lard and finocchiona, a fennel-flavored salami. You can also find superb pizzerias, where you can enjoy thin, crispy, wood-fired pizzas topped with local ingredients such as mozzarella, tomato, basil, and olives. In addition, Camaiore boasts some of the best wineries in Tuscany, where you can taste and buy red and white wines made from local grapes such as Sangiovese, Trebbiano, and Vermentino.

If you’re in the mood for luxury and glamour, Forte dei Marmi is the place to be. This chic resort town is famous for its high-end fashion boutiques, fancy restaurants, and exclusive beach clubs, where you can relax on a sun lounger, sip a cocktail, and watch the yachts and sailboats pass by. Forte dei Marmi is also home to some of the most elegant and refined restaurants in Versilia, where you can indulge in exquisite dishes accompanied by prestigious wines and cocktails. From sushi to truffles, from lobster to wagyu beef, Forte dei Marmi offers a variety of delicacies that will satisfy your palate and your eyes.

Whether you choose Viareggio, Camaiore, Forte dei Marmi, or any other town in Versilia, you’ll find that lunchtime is a special moment to slow down, enjoy good food, and soak up the sun, the sea, and the landscape. It’s a time to connect with the local culture, the people, and the traditions, and to appreciate the beauty and the richness of this unique part of Italy. So, next time you’re in Versilia, make sure to have a memorable lunch and savor all the flavors and the colors of this delightful place.