Il Piccolo Diavolo — Restaurant in Monterosso al Mare

Extremely Disappointing and Discriminatory Experience

I visited this restaurant with my husband, our 8-year-old son, and my elderly father-in-law. We kindly asked for a table outside and were seated without issue. While we were getting settled, my father-in-law—without any bad intention—placed a few small stones he had found on the beach next to our table. Suddenly and without warning, the waiter named Alessio became visibly upset and aggressively told us we had to leave, stating the restaurant was "closed for us."

It was not close to closing time, and he continued to serve the other tables around us. I attempted to politely ask in Spanish (a language he claims to speak) what the issue was, as I genuinely wanted to understand the situation. He simply said we were being "rude" and that he had decided not to serve us—without any explanation or willingness to talk.

As a family that does not "look" European, we were left feeling deeply uncomfortable and discriminated against. No one asked us anything, no one gave us a chance to clarify, and we were publicly embarrassed in front of other customers.

This was not just poor service—it was unkind, unfair, and possibly discriminatory. I would strongly advise others, especially travelers and families, to take their business elsewhere. Save your money and avoid this type of treatment.

UPDATE ON REVIEW:

THIS MAN ALESIO IS NOT A GOOD PERSON. Avoid this RESTAURANT AT ALL COSTS. as Mr. Alesio is literally lying on his post on the Situation, I want to clarify the situation. It is not fair or just to keep getting embarrassed by someone that is simply rude and does not know how to take care of his own restaurant. And worse of all, calling me a liar in the situation.

Alesio, I believe the ones that is incapable of understanding what happened and not treating your customers with good Education is you. As you are the owner. you should take my Review seriously. The „wife“ is me. And I have indeed explained everything that happened. I believe you confused us with someone else. First, we did not wave off at anyone nor did we sat inside, we also did not move any tables….. we sat at the same table outside. So everything that you have said is simply untrue. Second, how did I bother going to the bathroom? As a customer, I went to the restaurant bathroom. First time I hear ever that you cannot go to a bathroom where you are a customer.

I did not verbally attack anyone in Spanish, on the opposite, you and your colleague did not explain us anything. Instead simply closed the restaurant from us, with no kindness, I tried to explain myself and you treated us like bad people. You are lucky I did not made a video to show the reality.

One tip for you: take your other reviews and mine for real, otherwise you will not have success in your life. We had amazing food somewhere else, and you are right. Life will treat you like you treat others. Learn to...

My wife had the Margherita pizza. Thin crust, tasty but I always thought this pizza was supposed to be fresh tomatoes, not a sauce, and include the colors of the Italian flag - red, white & green. The basil was missing. Verified this with a native tour guide who was quite surprised. I had the local pasta with pesto which was not pulverized very well at all. Huge pieces of basil throughout the dish and not very flavorful. After delivering our food, the waiter never came back to see how our meals were and seemed to not care at all. So far, after a week in Italy, I can honestly say this was the first disappointing...

Ho mangiato male ma questo livello non l'avevo mai raggiunto.. premesso che ho passato 2 giorni nelle 5 terre e che ho mangiato sempre benissimo, dalla focaccia ligure ai ristoranti di pesce, tutto perfetto..l'ultima sera, affamatissimo proviamo questo posto, visto camminando. Ordiniamo delle pizze.. Ce ne siamo andati dopo aver visto e assaggiato un pezzo delle pizze che avevamo ordinato, una margherita tosta da tagliare, cotta male, mozzarella e pomodoro non avevano sapore, distribuiti male e cotti peggio (idem la qualità della marinara presa dalla mia compagna) . Ho avvisato la cameriera che la pizza non era di nostro gradimento e che potevamo pagare e andarcene, e lei ha risposto piccata "ce ne ordinano tantissime", mah penso.. strano, siamo famosi in Italia per la pizza, l'ho mangiata a Napoli, a Milano, a Roma ma questa "pizza" sembrava una pezzo di farina con del pomodoro sopra (giuro era imbarazzante). Poi leggo nelle recensioni oggi, e alla signorina vorrei dire, ma ne avete tantissime di pessime recensioni sulla pizza (alcune dicono che fosse surgelata, in effetti..), comunque che brutta figura che avete fatto signorina! Alla cassa ho provato a essere gentile, a indicare che ero molto affamato e che non mi era mai capitato di andarmene così, il cassiere ( penso proprietario), non sapendo cosa dire ha comunque addebitato 20 euro su un conto di circa 32 euro ( 1 margherita 10 euro, 1 marinara 8 euro, 1 vino della casa da 0.50 6 euro, un acqua e coperto). Beh che dire, si commenta da solo il prendersi i soldi lo stesso. Il locale è anche carino, ci sta avere tanti turisti che devono mangiare e forse si accontentano, ma c'è un limite, siamo in Italia, quella non è degna di essere...