Bagni Vistamare

Tucked away at the picturesque Grotta del Saraceno Village, Bagni Vistamare offers one of those magical dining experiences that makes you fall in love with coastal Italy all over again. This seaside restaurant combines the relaxed beach club atmosphere with serious culinary credentials, giving you front-row seats to the Adriatic while serving up some of the freshest seafood you’ll find along the Abruzzo coast.

The menu here is a love letter to the sea, featuring catch-of-the-day specials that change with the tides and seasons. Their crudo di ricciola is absolutely divine – paper-thin slices of amberjack that practically melt on your tongue, dressed simply with Ligurian olive oil and sea salt. The pasta dishes showcase local Abruzzese traditions with a coastal twist, while their grilled fish is cooked to perfection over open flames that add just the right amount of smokiness.

What really sets Vistamare apart is its effortless beachside elegance. The dining area flows seamlessly from covered terraces to open-air tables practically kissing the sand, with weathered wooden furniture and crisp white linens that catch the Mediterranean breeze. During lunch, families splash in the nearby waters while you dine, and by evening, the setting sun transforms everything into pure romance with twinkling lights reflecting off the waves.

I’d recommend this spot for anyone wanting to experience la dolce vita at its most authentic – whether you’re planning a special anniversary dinner or just want to spend a lazy afternoon with your toes in the sand. The service strikes that perfect Italian balance of attentive without being intrusive, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable for such a prime waterfront location.