Mariterraneo Ristorante di Mare — Restaurant in Salerno

A Hidden Gem in Salerno: A Must-Visit Family-Owned Restaurant

Tucked away in a cozy corner of Salerno, this family-owned restaurant offers a dining experience that feels like being welcomed into someone’s home. Even though they weren’t officially open yet, they graciously invited us in and treated us with such warmth and hospitality that it felt like we were part of their family. From the very beginning, the man who served us went above and beyond to ensure our experience was unforgettable. His genuine kindness and passion for their craft shone through as he shared fascinating details about the exceptional ingredients they use. The olive oil, for example, was the best I’ve ever had—rich, aromatic, and sourced from the finest regions.

The meal was simply extraordinary. We started with the sesame-crusted tuna, a dish so fresh and tender that it melted in our mouths, and the octopus salad, which was unlike any salad I’ve ever had. Bursting with flavor and perfectly prepared, it was easily one of the best appetizers I’ve ever experienced.

The pistachio pasta was light yet packed with nuanced flavors. Even though I took a risk since I am not to fond of pistachio, it was a top pasta I’ve ever had, showcasing an incredible balance of simplicity and excellence. The octopus and onion pasta, on the other hand, was bold and complex, leaving us savoring every bite.

Dessert was the perfect finale. The pistachio dessert, with its light, mousse-like texture, was divine, while the ricotta caramel cheesecake was fresh, airy, and absolutely delightful. Every dish we tried was a 10/10—some beautifully simple and others wonderfully complex, but all flawless.

What made this meal even more special was the love and care the owners poured into every aspect of the experience. Despite not being fully open, they treated us like cherished guests, going out of their way to ensure we enjoyed every moment. The man and his sister-in-law, who spoke just enough English to make the experience effortless, brought an incredible warmth and pride to the meal. Their dedication to quality, from the ingredients to the service, was truly inspiring.

Dining here is more than just a meal—it’s a memory. Don’t miss the chance to try these one-of-a-kind dishes, support this lovely family, and experience the heart and soul of Salerno. This is a hidden gem that deserves to...

Great seafood place!

The oysters (Gillardeau) were really fresh and tasty. They’re a bit expensive (€7 each), but the quality is there. The mussels were amazing, probably the best I’ve ever had. They were big, well-seasoned, and served in a really stylish bowl.

I also really enjoyed the octopus salad. It had pesto, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and very tender octopus. I had it with a glass of chardonnay and everything went really well together.

They served us some bread with olive oil at the beginning. It was fine, nothing special but a nice touch.

For the main dish, the clam gnocchi was good and full of flavor, maybe a bit too salty for me but still nice.

The fish and chips were the only part I didn’t love. The fish was slightly overcooked and a bit too salty, and the crust wasn’t very crispy. The chips were more like thin homemade potato crisps, also too salty.

Overall, a really good place. I definitely recommend it, especially for the seafood...

The best seafood restaurant I’ve tried by far in Italy. The food was very delicious and the staff was super friendly. It was a small restaurant but the service was at Michelin level. The staff served the dish one by one and cleared the plates and cutlery when we finished every course. The bread came with olive oil with fresh aromas (in other places you even need to ask for that)

We ordered octopus salad, pistachio tagliatelle, tuna takiyaki and raw oyster. I like the salad very much. The octopus was not fishy at all and it matched perfectly with the potatoes. The oyster was very well processed. It retained the sweetness of the meat and left out the saltiness of the sea water. And the plating was very nice even though I just ordered one piece.

This little place really surprised me with the quality of the food and the friendliness of the staff. I would highly recommend anyone who visit Salerno to...