Genoa food guide
(eat + drink + shop like a local)
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Genoa food guide (eat + drink + shop like a local)
Enrica Monzani
Genoa, my city, is a culinary paradise just waiting to be explored.
After 7 years now leading food tours in Genoa I have handpicked for you +110 addresses from my life and work experiecne.
Most of places are old traditional business and non-tourist places.
For each address you will find my personal review + my suggestions on what to eat/drink/order/shop like a local!
I have organized the guide into 5 different sections:
1. SWEET GENOVA (pastry shops, gelato shops, candies & chocolate shop)
2. FOOD SHOPPING (spice shops/sundries, markets, salumerie, fresh pasta shops, wine shops)
3. STREET FOOD (breakfast & coffees, bakeries and focaccerie, traditional take-away and fry shops, sandwich places)
4. APERITIVO TIME (wine-bars and cocktail bars)
5. RESTAURANTS (contemporary, traditional Ligurian cuisine, Seaside restaurants, fine dining).
When using the guide, be sure to open the map and you can see where you are and what's closest to where you are.
For a Genoa food tour in person with me head to my website www.asmallkitcheningenoa.com
Have a wonderful delicious time in Genoa!
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1. Sweet Genova 🧁
Pastry Shops
Genoa is a haven for pastry lovers, boasting several outstanding pastry shops. Some of the are "old shops" with more that a century and run by the same family for generations.
Pasticceria Profumo
@enricamonzan
The pastel colors of the antique furnishings and delicate frescoes surround sparkling jars of candy, gift baskets filled with sweets, wooden boxes showcasing chocolates, bowls overflowing with glossy candied fruit, and trays full of colorful little pastries - unique treats that haven't changed for over a century.
Villa Profumo pastry shop is a historic business that has been serving sweets to Genoa's nobility since 1827.
Run by brothers Marco and Maurizio Profumo, it's one of the most refined and authentic pastry shops in Genoa.
What to buy:
Pandolce antica genova, they are famous for this traditional Genoa Christmas cake.
A box of chocolates with the shape of coloured jordan almonds (we call them “confetti”)
A tray with a selection of pastries (choose Gobeletti, the most traditional Ligurian cookies, Averosa, Jolande, baci di dama)
In season, marron glacé.
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Bar Pasticceria Gelateria Magenta
@enricamonzan
Just above the historic center, on a tree-lined avenue in the elegant Castelletto district, this pastry shop is one of the best in the city. Though small, it has a huge customer base and is always packed. The pastries are superb and everything is freshly made daily (it doesn't even last until evening!). You can also grab a quick coffee or cappuccino along with their amazing croissants.
TIP: get there using the old red funicular railway "Funicolare di Sant'Anna" and enjoy your sweets in the amazing Piazzetta Sant'Anna just above.
What to buy:
Everything! The small filled pastries are absolutely wonderful, especially the classic Genoese "cavolini con la panna" (choux pastry filled with whipped cream)
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Pasticceria Sansebastiano
@enricamonzan
Pasticceria Sansebastiano has been operating in Genoa's Carignano neighborhood since 1958. It's a go-to spot for traditional pastries. All their treats are super fresh and made with top-quality ingredients.
What to buy:
Cream puffs filled with various delicious flavors
The "meringata" cake (meringues, whipped cream, and chocolate)
Torta zena (traditional Genoese cake with Marsala wine cream)
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Panarello
@enricamonzan
**Panarello**, founded in Genoa in 1885, makes high-quality artisanal pastries, both fresh and packaged. What started as a small pastry shop now produces on an industrial scale while maintaining excellent quality.
There are different shops in the city, the oldest is the one located in Via XX Settembre.
Locals especially love their signature "Pannarellina" cake, an almond flour cake with a distinctive checkered pattern made with powdered sugar. In Genoa, it's the go-to birthday cake for both kids and adults!
They also make amazing pandolce (traditional Genoese sweet bread), cookies, croissants, and custard-filled cannoli.
What to buy:
Pannarellina cake (also available as individual portions)
Genoese Pandolce (the “tall” one with sourdough)
Lagaccio Cookies (traditional Genoese breakfast biscuits)
Custard-filled cannoli
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Access all the local insights and recommendations from @enricamonzan when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Enrica Monzani
Ciao, my name is Enrica Monzani, I was born and raised in Genoa, Italy. I've lived here all my life. I'm food researcher, cookbook author, certified wine taster and passionate explorer of my region’s culinary traditions.
Since 10 years now I share traditional Ligurian recipes, stories from my food adventures in Liguria, and tips for experiencing the best of the Region’s cuisine.
I also offer hands-on cooking classes in Genoa, small groups Genoa food tours, and unique culinary experiences across Liguria. These are designed to bring you closer to the fresh, herby, and sunny flavors that make this region so special.
I wrote a cookbook "Liguria in cucina - the flavors of Liguria", a collection of the most iconic recipes of this region (bilingual Italian and English)
If you’re looking to discover Liguria’s culinary treasures and its food heritage, I’d be pleased to guide you.
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
118 places
118 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
4 links
4 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Genoa, GE, Italia
FOCUSES AND THEMES
50+
Couples
Family
Gluten-free / Celiac
Groups
LGBTQ+
Plus Size
Female Solo
Vegan
Vegetarian
Boutique
Coffee
Foodie
Luxury
People & Culture
Relaxation
Shopping
Slow Travel
Sustainable/Eco
Wine
Format
Guide
Guides typically include detailed information and how-to’s about a destination as well as suggested places to try.
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