Splendido Mare

At Splendido Mare, dining belongs to the piazzetta as much as to the hotel. Its restaurant, DaV Mare, sits at the heart of Portofino, with harbour views and outdoor tables that bring the life of the square into the occasion. The setting is elegant but closely connected to the village: pastel-coloured buildings, the bay and the surrounding hills give lunch or dinner a distinctly Riviera backdrop. Come for a meal that makes the location part of the pleasure, rather than retreating from it.

Created in partnership with the Cerea family, DaV Mare places the bounty of the Ligurian Sea at the centre of its identity. The published dinner menu ranges from lobster to the catch of the day, while desserts include croccante al gianduia and tiramisù. These are concrete reasons to choose it for seafood, beyond the appeal of its address. Belmond service completes the experience, bringing attentive hospitality to a table firmly rooted in its coastal setting.

Splendido Mare’s beginnings as a fisherman’s guesthouse add another layer to that maritime connection. Today, its dining options extend beyond the restaurant: DaV Mare Bar serves signature cocktails and snacks on the piazzetta, while Gelateria San Giorgio offers classic Italian gelato. An aperitivo at the bar is a natural way to make more of the setting before dinner; the gelateria offers a different, simpler expression of the same seaside stop.

For a first visit, choose lunch if seeing the harbour in daylight is your priority, or dinner if the seafood-led evening menu is the main draw. If an outdoor table matters, make that preference clear when reserving through the official website. This is a central Portofino experience, best suited to diners who enjoy the presence of village life rather than complete seclusion.