Clandestino Susci Bar — Restaurant in Ancona

Clandestino is unique. To simply call it a beachside restaurant would not do it justice. There is a lightness and harmony in every aspect, from the warmth of the staff to the subtle colour of the building against the white stones. This is a restaurant where your experience seems to flow effortlessly, but of course this cannot happen without great planning by excellent people who care very much about every detail.

The menu has been designed with creativity and thoughtfulness, and each dish was executed perfectly. We chose the Susci Rosa menu and our taste buds travelled the world from India to Japan, Kenya to France, Mexico and back to Italy. The seafood is of the highest quality, and the flavours are modern and clever. Each dish was elegantly presented, but it's not fussy, formal food. In fact many dishes were 'fun' to eat.

For wines we put ourselves in the hands of a very skilled staff member who excelled at selecting wines that matched each dish, and also our palette. We had fun and learnt a lot from her, and although we have eaten in many top restaurants around the world, she performed the role better than any sommelier we can remember.

Every staff member was warm, friendly, engaged and engaging. They have an ease in their roles, bringing a feeling of calm flow to this very special restaurant .

We were impressed by how easily the restaurant pivoted to present us the full degustation menu as gluten free and meat free. It's one of the reasons a top restaurant like Clandestino is always a better choice when you want a truly great dining experience.

For every reason you can think of, this is the restaurant to choose when you want an experience...

For English speakers, perhaps, the play on ‘susci’ / ‘sushi’ suggests at first glance that the offerings will all be ‘sushi’ style. Clandestino Susci Bar did not offer ‘sushi’ on the tasting menus when we dined there, but they offer a wonderful gastronomic experience. The atmosphere is celestial, and attention certainly went into every detail on and off the plate. The only negative point I will add (which is out of the restaurant’s control, of course) was the weather. There was a downpour the day of our dinner and although the rain had subsided, we could not be accommodated at the outdoor table we booked. A staff member called early in the day and kindly offered a table indoors. Unfortunately, the table was not one of the best with the beautiful views opening onto the sea. This was a shame. The staff explained that they allocate tables on a first come first served basis, and this is fair (just unfortunately did not work in our favor this time!) Thus, I would recommend booking early and perhaps (?) inside. The two tops facing out to the sea are magnificent. The wine pairings were excellent and the somm was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and even playful as he accommodated our tastes, crafting a pairing for us with an emphasis on natural/ biodynamic / organic wines. Although no ‘sushi’ there is excellent fresh raw fish. The scallops were the best I have tasted. Dishes are all beautifully presented. As the chef/ creator also has a 2 star Michelin restaurant further up the coast excellent quality was excepted … and received. I imagine a star is on the horizon for...

We went for a couples lunch to as a stop during a trip to the seaside. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. The location is a truly idyllic setting for a restaurant on the beach, with tables positioned to provide an amazing view. We indulged in the tasting menu. Each dish named after a famous female figure, was a culinary masterpiece. The flavors were bold, expertly combining exotic aromas with high-quality local ingredients. The attention to detail, particularly in incorporating ingredients from the region of origin, was impressive. The wine pairings were thoughtfully suggested to complement the meal and we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the local wines. The service was impeccable. The staff were friendly and attentive, and we never waited for the next course. While the price is on the higher side (around €150 per person), it's well worth it for the exceptional dining experience. Overall this restaurant is a worthy stop for anyone seeking a memorable culinary experience in a stunning...