Immersing yourself in the scents and genuine flavors of the island of Capraia, you will discover an ancient culinary tradition that harmoniously combines the natural frugality of a rich hinterland with the intense abundance of a generous sea. The quality and freshness of the ingredients are constant: the island’s restaurants are committed to offering zero-kilometer products, cultivated with love and dedication, in a perfect balance between tradition and innovation.
The protagonist of Capraiese cuisine is obviously the catch of the day: seafood, squid, crustaceans, precious rock fish such as bass and bream, all expertly cooked and served fresh, fried or in delightful preparations that celebrate maritime culture. Don’t miss out on trying the typical cheeses of the island, both fresh and aged, made with goat’s milk, the local excellence of a centuries-old dairy tradition, born in 1873 with the foundation of the agricultural penal colony and recently rediscovered and valued.
Walking through the terraced gardens, you will see firsthand what you will find on your table: fresh vegetables, tomatoes, zucchini, pumpkins, basil, and eggplants. But also Mediterranean fruits and berries, such as lentisk, myrtle, May rose, strawberry tree, rosemary, fennel, blackberries, used as simple ingredients or to make tasty jams and syrups. And for an authentically Capraia flavor, the result of a thriving beekeeping, you must taste the honey produced on the island, refined and persistent, awarded as the best Italian Millefiori.
But the true stars of the local cuisine are the “Sammola”, a bulbous plant with an intense onion scent, protagonist of traditional dishes such as cake, fritters, and sammole soup, and the squid, a key ingredient in many recipes, which is dedicated the most important festival of the island, the Sagra del Totano. The perfect occasion to celebrate the rich marine life of Capraia and the culinary skills of local chefs, who transform this humble cephalopod mollusk into tasty gastronomic delights.
But that’s not all. As wine and beer lovers know well, every good meal deserves a worthy accompaniment and in this case too, the island of Capraia will not disappoint you. The typical wines that best reflect the uniqueness of the island’s terroir such as Aleatico, Vermentino, and the reborn Grenache, a grape variety of Corsican origin recently replanted, are an absolute must-try. Not to mention the craft beers produced on the island that evoke the scents of the Mediterranean scrub, with varieties ranging from blanche to helichrysum, from IPA to blonde with honey, to red bitter.
Alone, Children and families, Groups, In pairs, With friends
Autumn, Spring, Summer, Winter
Taste
Free, Indoors, Outdoors, Without reservation
Discover all the peculiarities that make Livorno so unique and surprising.
Discover moreDon't miss any news about events in Livorno and surroundings.