Trabocco Puntamare

Picture this: you’re dining on fresh seafood while perched on a traditional trabocco – one of those ancient wooden fishing platforms that jut dramatically into the Adriatic Sea. Trabocco Puntamare isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a piece of living Abruzzese history where fishermen once cast their nets and now serve up the day’s catch in one of Italy’s most spectacular settings.

The menu here is all about showcasing the bounty of the Adriatic with dishes that have been passed down through generations of local fishing families. You’ll find impeccably prepared crudo di ricciola, silky pasta studded with just-caught clams, and the house specialty – a mixed seafood grill that changes based on what the boats bring in that morning. Everything tastes like it was swimming hours ago, because it probably was.

Dining here feels like you’ve been invited to a secret fisherman’s club. The weathered wooden planks beneath your feet, the sound of waves lapping against the stilts below, and the endless blue horizon create an atmosphere that’s both rustic and magical. Tables are set right on the platform, so every seat has million-dollar views, especially as the sun begins to set and paints the sky in shades of gold and pink.

This is absolutely worth the splurge for a special night out – just know that you’re paying for an experience as much as the meal. The combination of the unique setting, exceptional seafood, and that feeling of dining literally over the sea makes this one of those meals you’ll be talking about long after you’re back home. Reserve ahead, especially for sunset dining.