Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Taverna

    4.4 (56 reviews)
    ModerateItalian
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

    La Taverna Photos

    LA TAVERNA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - La Taverna

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Grilled Swordfish
    Lav L.

    We love this restaurant, everything is so delicious....from the bread, aged balsamic vinegar to the grilled Swordfish and risotto! I especially loved the aged balsamic vinegar, I ate many bread because of it lol

    Pepperoni pizza
    Joshua M.

    We stopped in for a lunch at La Taverna today right as it opened. It is a minute or two off the road running along the beach so it is a little removed from the hustle and bustle. It is a good looking restaurant inside with a good amount of space. The service was decent and we had the sweetest waitress. For lunch we got three pizzas, two pepperoni and a margherita and pesto pasta. The food was good and enjoyable.

    Fried Cod, seafood platter
    Justine D.

    Service was slow but everyone was kind. I forgot something at my table as I was leaving and a server ran out to give it to me. She even got me a bag for my belongings, very kind. As for the food, it was only alright. Very high prices for small portions. More upscale than comfort food. I always like there to be a good mix between comfort food and the more "adventurous" things. This menu was very small with a few options on entrees. If you are picky I would not recommend this restaurant. The ambiance was beautiful, we sat outside on a gorgeous night. Maybe bring some bug repellent if you're going to sit outside, they were ruthless!

    Alice T.

    This place is a hole in the wall but the best experience you'll ever get in Monterosso. I am so happy my friend found this cute restaurant, the ambience was wonderful (loved the dog greeting us at the doorway), the service staff are so friendly and welcome! The gentleman was so nice I think our server's name was Barbara(??? I overhead someone say her name) but she was so attentive, asking if we'd like anything else. As you can see from the pics, everything we had is part of the Clean Plate Club. Everything was delicious, so flavorful but light!! Nothing like back in the States where eating pasta leaves you feeling heavy and lethargic. Some people may wonder about the portion sizes but we believe that the portions sizes are just right because the amount fills you up quite nicely! It's enough for one person, even if you share between two people. Next time we come back to Italy, we're definitely coming back to Monterosso for this fabulous restaurant. Thank you

    Naomi C.

    The food was absolutely amazing! Fresh, flavorful and filling. Attention to detail and thoroughly enjoyed! Also, an great value for the quality.

    Carbonara! WoW!!
    James G.

    Find this place. They are out of the way, on the far side os this little town, but they have a couple of very important things going for them. First of all the food was delicious. Carbonara was wonderful, really, wonderful. Their Spaghetti Bolognese was perfection. In both cases the pasta itself was cooked al dente, like it should be. Next, they are open from 11:00 a.m., and stay open through dinner time. It is nearly impossible to find a restaurant that has an all-day full menu in most places in Italy. Most places open for dinner from 7:30 to 10:00 pm. We often like to start eating earlier than 7:30 (because we sometimes don't eat lunch). Anyway, if you want a great meal between Italian lunchtime and Italian dinner time, then this is the place! The dining room is classy, the staff is professional, the prices are fair, and the food is delicious.

    Outside
    Karla S.

    Different members of our group ate here multiple times during a short stay. The fried anchovies, a local specialty, were excellent but I really loved the ricotta and spinach ravioli. The service was friendly and the surroundings were lovely. We particularly enjoyed the local wines. Let your server recommend one!

    Octopus appetizer. Very little sauce, tons of octopus, fantastic!
    Lucas W.

    There admittedly aren't a ton of options for dinner in the area but Taverna was a surprisingly solid option. We came in with no reservation and while the outdoor area was busy, indoors was nearly empty. Just two families in a big space. We started with octopus which was great. Well seasoned and good texture. So smooth, not chewy at all. Loved that octopus and would go back for that and a glass of wine in a heartbeat For my entree I got the salmon gnocchi. Loved the idea as it's not the most common pairing but thought it was just ok. The gnocchi was good but There wasn't very much salmon unfortunately. The cream sauce was super heavy though. And that richness really took over the dish; didn't finish it.

    branzino
    Kristina P.

    So so delicious. I visited Cinque Terre this past February, so during the off season. We decided to come here because 1, it was close to our hotel, and 2, it was one of the only few restaurants open that we could see. And I am so glad we did, because this place was amazing and succeeded our expectations. I got the grilled branzino, and I finished the whole thing. They gave us bread and a complimentary appetizer, which I noticed they gave to the other tables as well. The thing I loved about this place was not only was the food superb, but the service was awesome. I was starting to get used to the fact that Italians probably just don't care for Americans or tourists, and don't smile or aren't friendly at restaurants, but the staff here was so welcoming and friendly and helpful. They gave us suggestions, asked us about our trip and even gave us free shots of limoncello at the end of dessert. Definitely recommend this place. It's a Monterosso Gem.

    Wine
    Nora Z.

    The staff was welcoming, friendly and very attentive. We enjoyed our dinner and paired it with a delicious bottle of red. Highly recommend La Taverna.

    How can you go wrong in a place that looks like this?
    Brad H.

    Hanging out in a small oceanside town, sipping great wine and lunching on fresh seafood in Italy....what can be better? Food was great. There were 6 of us and we sat outside on a beautiful late October afternoon. The pasta, fresh seafood and the wine were all stellar. I highly recommend the food here. As with most places in Italy, the bread and apps that they place on your table are incredible, but please note that it you eat it - they charge you for it. It is not complementary. They placed a brochette on our table that rolled my eyes back in my head after tasting it. I thought it came with the food. Found out when the check came that it was not free. Even though we did not order it, as stated, if you eat it you pay for it. In this case, I had no problem eating it...and licking the plate! It was that good. Go, you will enjoy.

    Pierre, owner and chef of La Taverna! Best Pasta pesto, carbonara, ravioli, seafood and all desert of Monterosso!

    See all

    29 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 days ago

    Great food and good service! Very nice local guy for the waiter. Excellent tomahawk steak!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina L.
    696
    646
    1559

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Good was delicious, service was wonderful, ambiance is OK. We had ravioli and pizza-one of my husband's favorites, I think he inhaled it!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Service and food was very good. A little off the main tourist thoroughfare, so quieter.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Alice T.
    184
    18
    17

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Service was good but the food was Ok. Got a pizza and it was very regular. Maybe some other things are good though

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nora Z.
    2
    16
    13

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brad H.
    17
    47
    14

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of DeEtte W.
    81
    67
    76

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Veg V.
    30
    423
    73

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Good food nice atmosphere, they screwed up my daughters order but gave a free dessert to make up. Would recommend

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of R R.
    1
    47
    150

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of AJ O.
    5
    311
    18

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - La Taverna

    After the dessert I was contemplating putting up my tent in the restaurant for my whole stay in the Cinque Terre.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Emy’s Way - Delicious bruschetta with pesto and flavorful tomatoes

    Emy’s Way

    4.8(12 reviews)
    0.7 km

    The food was the best I've had so far in northern Italy. Everything is made to order with local…read moreingredients. Emy the owner makes the experience unforgettable. There are only a few tables but well worth the wait!

    Emy's Way is the best pizza I've ever had. It's a must-go if you're in Monterosso! My wife and I…read morestopped by for dinner and she ordered the Tricolore, while I ordered the Nicola--both were fantastic. The Tricolore in particular was phenomenal. It was a more unique pizza on a special focaccia crust with burrata, tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. The burrata melted in our mouths and the crust was a perfect balance between crunchy and chewy. Emy was our server and he explained that he created an original blend of three different kinds of flour to create the dough for the Tricolore crust--we loved that personal touch, and it really came through in how delicious the pizza was! Speaking of Emy, he was such a delight to have as our server. He asked us if we wanted anything to drink as soon as we were situated at our table, and when I asked about one of the beers they have on tap, he explained the backstories and flavor profiles of all of their beers, and even brought me a sample of the one I thought I wanted to try to make sure I liked it before I ordered it. Throughout the dinner, he told us stories about Monterosso, how he runs his restaurant, and the lore behind his different (and original!) pizza combinations and recipes. It's so clear that he is passionate about his food and his business, and it absolutely makes a difference in how enjoyable and delicious our dinner was. At the end of our evening, a couple came in with their dog, and Emy even brought the dog a small dish with some water to drink. Such a thoughtful move! My wife and I were thoroughly impressed. Plus, Emy gets bonus points for being open for dinner on a weeknight during the tourist offseason (we visited in early March)--my wife and I stayed near the "new town" portion of Monterosso, where not a single shop or restaurant seemed to be open past 4pm, but Emy's Way welcomed us in! This has been my first-ever trip to Italy, and Emy's Way provided the exact dining experience I was hoping to have--small business, charismatic owner, cute setting, and absolutely phenomenal food. It was perfection. I cannot wait to return to Monterosso and come to Emy's Way again--next time, I may have to be a daily customer.

    Photos
    Emy’s Way
    Emy’s Way - Pansotti al pesto

    Pansotti al pesto

    Emy’s Way - Bruschette

    See all

    Bruschette

    Trattoria da Oscar - Mussels

    Trattoria da Oscar

    4.3(18 reviews)
    0.7 km
    €€€

    Excellent Choice For Dinner…read more.. My wife and I arrived in Monterosso al Mare for the first week of our vacation around Cinque Terre. Where to eat? Our hotel - Villa Steno.....a wonderful place - plotted several recommendations on a map. The first place we tried was Oscar. Our impressions were as follows: Pros: - Most of the seating was on the patio out front which was delightful - We shared the Seafood Salad and Pasta with Seafood. Both were great! The second dish was among the best I've ever tried. - Dark bread accompanying dinner was amazing - A bottle of local Sauvignon Blanc went perfectly with the meal - It seemed the owner or one of the owners served all the customers. She was friendly, efficient and how she did it I'll never know. - Prices were very reasonable for everything we ordered Cons: - Only one: Oscar, like most restaurants in town, opened at 7 PM which was a bit late for us Americans. Both my wife and I heartily suggest trying Oscar.

    It's good clean food for a fair price don't get me wrong. But this as the same menu and same…read moretasting food as like 75% of restaurants on cinque terre. Pesto pasta, seafood pasta, calamari, mussels... pretty much the only thing a great handful of restaurants around here serve (usually pizza too) Overall it's fine it just won't be a memorable meal. Service is mediocre.

    Photos
    Trattoria da Oscar - Spaghetti, olive oil, a little white wine, butter, parsley, and clams. Simple and delicious!

    Spaghetti, olive oil, a little white wine, butter, parsley, and clams. Simple and delicious!

    Trattoria da Oscar - Octopus salad

    Octopus salad

    Trattoria da Oscar - Gnocchi pesto

    See all

    Gnocchi pesto

    La Taverna - italian - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...