Food in Ischia

Ristorante Giardino Eden

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Restaurant | "Best Restaurant on the Island"

boat ride to Giardino Eden Photo - Ristorante Giardino Eden, Ischia, Italy

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During our week in Ischia, I can say that overall, the most amazing dining experience on the entire trip (and definitely up on the list for most amazing dining experience ever) was the evening we went to Ristorante Giardino Eden. We were told about this place by someone who lived in Ischia for a while, and had said it was one of her favorite and a must-visit. One of the greatest parts about it, was that after making our reservation, they sent for a boat to pick us up on the harbor by our hotel and bring us to the restaurant dock entrance. We only had to walk about 1 block from our hotel to an area where small private boats are rented, where we told them that we were with the re...Read More

During our week in Ischia, I can say that overall, the most amazing dining experience on the entire trip (and definitely up on the list for most amazing dining experience ever) was the evening we went to Ristorante Giardino Eden.

We were told about this place by someone who lived in Ischia for a while, and had said it was one of her favorite and a must-visit. One of the greatest parts about it, was that after making our reservation, they sent for a boat to pick us up on the harbor by our hotel and bring us to the restaurant dock entrance.

We only had to walk about 1 block from our hotel to an area where small private boats are rented, where we told them that we were with the restaurant. They immediately escorted us into a private boat, and the sun was setting with just us two and the driver.

We passed by the Castello Aragonese, and under the small walking bridge leading between the castle and the mainland, then to a rocky side of the town where an old crumbling Roman wall lines the sea. We finally arrived at the dock extending from the open-air dining area and our server in a white linen suit met us at the boat and led us to our table.

The food was immaculately prepared, amazingly tasteful and I can't say enough about the super friendly service.

After ordering, they brought us some complimentary appetizers: a seasoned shrimp on a skewer wrapped in a spaghetti noodle and deep fried, and a mini stacked caprese salad. I'd told them that I was vegetarian and ate no seafood or meat, so they offered me a lovely pasta dish off menu for the main course with large tube pasta (all lined up in a row on the plate) with a smoked provolone white sauce and marinated eggplant pieces. My husband had pasta with shrimp and artichokes with an amazing brown sauce. For dessert they brought us fresh coconut flan with a "sugar nest" on top, fresh cream, and chocolate and nut-covered strawberry.

All this with tasty local wine, and an unbeatable view...it was one of the most memorable nights on the trip. After our several courses, they asked if they should call the boat again. So we were escorted by sea back to the harbor near our hotel and smiled at the experience and our full bellies.

Definitely a great experience and worth the splurge...as it is a splurge and probably one of the more expensive places on the island.

Ristorante Giardino Eden
Via Nuova Cartaromana, 62
Ischia
081 985015
http://www.ilgiardinoeden.it/ Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2010

Ristorante Giardino Eden
Via Nuova Cartaromana, 68
Ischia, Italy 80077
+39 081 985015

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Ristorante da Ciccio

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Restaurant | "Ischia Ponte's Most Talked About Family Restaurant"

Ciccio Photo - Ristorante da Ciccio, Ischia Ponte, Italy

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We recently spent about a week in the Italian island of Ischia. Located in the Gulf of Naples, we were anxious to see if the food was similar to that of Naples (one of the tastiest cities). In ended up being quite different...but still very good. If I had to sum up the Ischian cuisine in one dish it'd be: frutta di mare (seafood). Of course, this is understandable since they are surrounded by the sea...but it makes it a bit challenging for me since I don't eat seafood. One of the most talked about restaurants in Ishicia Ponte is Ristorante da Ciccio, known for amazing family service and traditional Ischian fare. Not only was this place recommended to us by some locals, but I'd ...Read More

We recently spent about a week in the Italian island of Ischia. Located in the Gulf of Naples, we were anxious to see if the food was similar to that of Naples (one of the tastiest cities). In ended up being quite different...but still very good.

If I had to sum up the Ischian cuisine in one dish it'd be: frutta di mare (seafood). Of course, this is understandable since they are surrounded by the sea...but it makes it a bit challenging for me since I don't eat seafood. One of the most talked about restaurants in Ishicia Ponte is Ristorante da Ciccio, known for amazing family service and traditional Ischian fare.

Not only was this place recommended to us by some locals, but I'd also read countless good reviews. So, the first night on the island we atet here and had a great table outside. We did call ahead (just a few hours earlier) to make reservations, and when we arrived we were greeted by the host, who is part of the family who owns the restaurant. There weren't too many guests when we got there, but the tables ended up filling up before we left.

I ordered the only thing on the menu without seafood - eggplant parmesan. It was prepared in a different, more simple way than I was used to, and probably the best I've ever eaten. It was so flavorful...but, even then I knew that I wasn't eating the specialty. I can't even imagine how tasty their specialities must be. My husband had a pasta with various shell fish which we said tasted very fresh. Along with the meal, we enjoyed a caprese salad and fresh rustic bread they brought to the table.

For dessert we went back and forth on the chocolate torte and lemon cake, which we'd both heard were spectacular. We finally decided on the lemon cake, as this citrus is one of the famous foods of the region, and currently in season. It was mouth-watering.

Prices here are quite reasonable, the house wine is good, the service is friendly, and you won't be disappointed with the view from the outside terrace looking toward the Castello Aragonese!

Ristorante da Ciccio
Via Luigi Mazzella, 32
Ischia Ponte
081 991686 Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 28, 2010

Ristorante da Ciccio
Via Luigi Mazzella, 32
Ischia Ponte, Italy
081 991686

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Hotel & Ristorante La Sirenella

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Restaurant | "Focaccia Pizza in Ischia"

La Sirenella Photo - Hotel & Ristorante La Sirenella, Lacco Ameno, Italy

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In the town of Lacco Ameno there is a lovely central area with many shops and cafes which line the ocean. We we told to visit the Pizzeria and Restaurant of La Sirenella Hotel while we were on our holiday in Ischia by a friend who'd lived here for several years. She said that the best pizza on the island was found at La Sirenella.So after a day at the nearby thermal spa of Negombo, we walked back through the town of Lacco Ameno and found the pizzeria. We were so glad to see that they offered "focaccia" pizza, as this is one of my favorite kinds. Unfortunately we'd arrived just as the kitchen was closing for the late afternoon, and told to return at dinnertime instead. A few hou...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 28, 2010

Hotel & Ristorante La Sirenella
C.so Angelo Rizzoli
Lacco Ameno (Ischia), Italy
+39 081 994743

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Ristorante Al Pontile

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Restaurant | "Family Restaurant with Seaside Seating"

Al Pontile Photo - Ristorante Al Pontile, Ischia Ponte, Italy

Quote:

Right across the small cobblestone street in Ischia Ponte from the most well-known restaurant, "Ciccio", there is another lovely family establishment called "Al Pontile".We stopped there the second night we were in Ischia, and were pleasantly surprised. First, we checked out the display menu and it looked quite good, and the host came out to talk with us and when we decided to stay, they asked if we'd like to sit on the outdoor tables out front, or inside, or outside in the back looking at the ocean. We chose the waterfront tables, (as had everyone else). It initially had looked like no one was really eating there, but then we saw that there were a handful of other couples, but everyone wa...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 29, 2010

Ristorante Al Pontile
Vuia Porto
Ischia Ponte, Italy

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Ristorante Pizzeria Di Massa

Best Of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Tasty Food, Good Prices"

Quote:

For our last evening in Ischia, we really didn't have much of a plan on where to eat. We'd already visited many of the restaurants that people had recommended to us before hand, or those we'd made notes on based on our own research.We felt like just lazily walking the small town of Ischia Ponte where our hotel was, and happening upon someplace that looked good. There isn't too many restaurants to check out in this specific area, and we'd already tried out the two main ones near the Castello Aragonese.We did peak inside a couple more, but they just didn't hit the spot, or looked too touristy. As we passed a pizzeria which we'd passed many times in the past week, we took a second...Read More

For our last evening in Ischia, we really didn't have much of a plan on where to eat. We'd already visited many of the restaurants that people had recommended to us before hand, or those we'd made notes on based on our own research.

We felt like just lazily walking the small town of Ischia Ponte where our hotel was, and happening upon someplace that looked good. There isn't too many restaurants to check out in this specific area, and we'd already tried out the two main ones near the Castello Aragonese.

We did peak inside a couple more, but they just didn't hit the spot, or looked too touristy. As we passed a pizzeria which we'd passed many times in the past week, we took a second glance. The big wood fire oven was in the view of the street, as the front room is mainly a lobby and the open kitchen, while the seating is in the back dining room.

The host was at the front and saw us reading the display menu. She welcomed us inside and we figured that this place was as good as any. She led us to the back dining room which was surrounded in windows looking out over the ocean. The decoration felt a bit like a hotel conference room, but the view was lovely.

We were the only non-Italian in the place, although it did seem like they were all on vacation and not from Ischia. We were served immediately with a basket of bread as we looked over the menu. Besides a carafe of local wine, we ordered a pizza with smoked provolone, roasted eggplant and zucchini, and mozzerella - as well as a plate of gnocchi "Sorrentino" which was a simple sauce of tomato, basil, and mozzerella.

Although from the atmosphere and look of the menu, it would seem like this place was probably more for tourists, less cuisine, and perhaps a place some 'foodies' would have skipped over, we ended up really enjoying our meal. I thought the pizza was amazingly flavorful. And the prices were about 2/3 of what we'd been paying at several other places. If this wasn't our last night, I think we would have stopped back again.

Ristorante Pizzeria Di Massa
Via Seminario 35
Ischia Ponte Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 29, 2010

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