Ristorante La Peniche — Restaurant in Massa

Ristorante La Peniche is a jewel hiding in plain sight - with restaurant being rather small and under the bridge, we didn´t expect the best experience at all, but opposite was true. The only thing that can suprise you (negatively speaking) is that waiters can be seen as little slow, but we’ve seen this through price spectre of italian restaurants, and it seems normal for them to let you take your time with food. Don´t be surprised, if waiters don´t come to you for circa 15 minutes after they seated you and brought you first bottle of water, they just let you to get comfortable and get the genius loci, then they will serve you well. Place: when we said ,,under the bridge´´, most people get the idea of homelesness and not a cozy restaurant, where you can eat right in the canal on ponton with torches (it´s better to make reservations for dinner, for lunch we were lucky to find free tables). Good AC system - cold (for the best meaning of it), but not dry air or cold wind on your neck. Wooden interier with enough wine for 3 - 4 happy Moravian days. Waiters: without problems, with good enough english (we suspect him for being better with deutsch, as usual in region). He recomended us the best choice of wine for our meals and also the right temperature for it (if you come by car, make sure to pay at least 3 hour parking ticket). Food: uncommon and yet well known, variation of everything from sea and land, everything fresh. For beverages - we had only wine and sparkling water (it´s ironic that it was cheapest water in the region - 1,5 € for bottle), so we can´t judge, but list goes for eternity. If you want a full menu (antipasti, first and second course and desert), it´s recomended not to eat for a day - courses look small-ish, but they are filling. For us, just first and second course were enough to get us from ,,little hungry´´ to the itis (must admit that we get little antipasti for free - mixture of olives, tomatoes, spices, cream...). Price: count with cca 20 € per course, for 2 people (2 courses for each) we payed 125 €. It can seems a lot, but it´s worth...

After two delightful weeks in Florence, we were en route to Genoa when we decided to take a break and explore Massa for a quick lunch. A quick search for “best restaurant near me” led us to La Peniche, and what a find it was!

Tucked in a quiet spot, La Peniche welcomed us with a cozy yet elegant atmosphere. The chairs were exceptionally comfortable—perfect for relaxing into a leisurely meal—and the owner’s warmth and charm set the tone for an unforgettable dining experience. This restaurant manages to be both refined and inviting, making us feel instantly at home.

We began with the assorted appetizers, each beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. My husband had the soup of the day, which was superb, and as we moved through each course, we were consistently impressed. Every dish was masterfully crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients, showcasing the chef’s creative talent and attention to detail.

By the time we reached dessert, we wondered if it could possibly live up to the rest of the meal—and it absolutely did. The gelato and tiramisu were perfect endings to an extraordinary dining experience, every bit as exquisite as the previous courses.

La Peniche is the definition of low-key luxury, ideal for food lovers who appreciate both exceptional cuisine and a warm, welcoming setting. For anyone driving through Massa, this is the perfect place to pause and savor the best meal of your trip. Highly...

A truly memorable Italian dining experience! Highlight of our trip.

From the moment we stepped in, we were welcomed with genuine warmth and hospitality that instantly set the tone for the evening. The service was outstanding — attentive, personal, and with a touch of charm that made us feel truly cared for.

The lobster pasta was absolutely delicious, perfectly cooked and full of flavor. For dessert, we went with the chef’s choice — a little bit of everything — which turned out to be an absolute highlight: rich, balanced, and beautifully presented.

The setting itself was stunning, with a refined ambiance that made the whole evening feel special. And to top it all off: a perfectly poured grappa from the skilled hands of Daniello — a gesture that summed up the attention to detail and passion that runs through every part of this place.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for an exceptional Italian evening! Thank you Daniello and Antonello for an...