Ristorante De' Minimi — Restaurant in Tropea

We tried “The Novena” tasting menu at De’Minimi with my girlfriend. Overall it was an interesting experience with some high points, but there’s still work to be done for the restaurant to reach the level of a Michelin star.

When researching it on the Michelin app, we expected Calabrian cuisine, but the menu turned out to be very innovative instead, something that can be good but needs more consistency.

The amuse-bouches set the tone for unusual combinations (like salmon tartare with chocolate, and a sweet bite with tomato). These weren’t listed on the menu, so I won’t analyze them in depth, but they signaled the chef’s experimental approach.

The first course, tarragon and yellow date tomato on pressed watermelon, was a nice, refreshing start with a well-chosen Vadduna Longa 2022 wine pairing.

The shrimp with bean miso, herbs sauce, and passion fruit sounded promising, but while we could see the passion fruit in the dish, we couldn’t taste its sourness. The shrimp itself was good, but overall the flavor combination didn’t deliver as described. Wine pairing (Zibbibo 2022) was okayish.

The potato sheet with caper and béarnaise was one of the best dishes. The balance of texture and taste was excellent, with a good Grayasusi 2024 pairing.

The 42-yolk tagliolini with tomato, anchovies, black garlic, and brined olives was a highlight. It finally felt like a Calabrian dish with innovative touches, complemented by the Granatu 2017 pairing.

The next course, white turnip with black pork sausage and rye, was surprising in that it came with a sweet wine pairing, which felt like a mismatch. A good white would have elevated it, but instead it ended up average.

Red mullet with sea asparagus, beurre blanc, and eucalyptus had a good Grisara 2023 pairing, but the fish itself was too dry.

The star of the menu was the Podolica beef with mustard and peach. Perfectly grilled, juicy, with the peach adding a lovely accent. Easily the best dish, with a great Piroci 2021-Baccelleri wine match.

The pigeon was well-prepared, but I agree that it’s not a meat for everyone, and while the chef’s use of dark chocolate and thyme sauce was creative, it wasn’t to my taste.

Dessert was just okay. It was a honey ice cream on goat cheese, an interesting idea (a tribute to bees) but I would have preferred something fresh and fruity to finish.

Overall, I’d rate it a solid 3 stars (really about 2.5 if possible). The chef is clearly experimenting with bold ideas, which is commendable, but many of them still need refinement. Service was a bit slow as well. With some adjustments, this place could become something special, but right now it’s not...

I wish I could give this restaurant a 6th star because it truly deserves it. Let's start with the most important part: the Menu. The Menu is a love poem to Calabria, showcasing a wide range of local products, creative combinations, and the chef's imagination. Our table tried both the traditional and vegetarian menus, and both were flawless. We were consistently surprised—sometimes by the flavor pairings, other times by temperature or texture. Some dishes were playful, reinventing italian traditions like scarpetta, something that I, as Italian leaving abroad, found somewhat provocative, funny and refreshing. The service was impeccable, with great attention to detail, perfect pacing, and staff clearly passionate about dishes, wines and the region. I highly recommend the wine pairing and, in general, trusting the staff—they know exactly what they’re doing. Napkins were folded while away from table and crumbles were cleaned up between courses, still the environment didn’t feel stiff or constructed, we felt very welcomed and enjoyed the experience. The restaurant is housed in a beautifully renovated monastery, with decor that blends Danish vintage and contemporary styles. The scent of jasmine fills the cloister, and the terrace view over Tropea is indescribable.

The only complaints you'll ever hear will be from the friends we’ll describe all these and who are too far away to come—because we definitely won’t stop talking about...

We visited De’ Minimi last night and I’m still dreaming about it. Having dined in Michelin-starred restaurants around the world, I can honestly say: this is top-tier. It may not yet have a star, but De’ Minimi absolutely should. Michelin, take note.

We opted for the seven-course tasting menu, and it was nothing short of extraordinary. Every plate was “art for your senses”, combining regional Calabrian ingredients with bold imagination and precision. The balance of flavors, textures, and presentation was impeccable.

Our waitress — Maria, I believe was her name — was superb. She and the rest of the staff took genuine pride in describing each dish, explaining local ingredients, and sharing insight into the chef’s vision. Their service was warm, professional, and elevated the entire experience.

The wine we chose — a Calabrian bottle — turned out to be one of the best we’ve ever tasted. It paired beautifully with what we ate and added another layer to an unforgettable evening.

If you’re traveling to Tropea: make a reservation. Do yourself a favor and choose the seven- or nine-course menu — you’ll want to explore as many of their creations as possible. This is the kind of restaurant that lingers in memory and you’ll always want to...