Ristorante Cracco Portofino

Cracco is a synonym of quality experiences although this time sounds as an heavy name, a brand so strong that it might not let those fantastic young professionals get the positive recognition that they deserve. We spontaneusly visited the restaurant while passing in front of it, strolling along the picturesque Portofino harbour. No reservations. (We had a fantastic 11 courses dinner a week earlier in Milano, with chef Cracco himself overlooking operations and we were skeptical towards this new "branch" in Portofino thinking that they might just be using his name, his brand in a fantastic location). We have been pleasantly surprised: - a young chef with a strong identity that managed to prepare a three/four courses vegan lunch using locally sourced fresh ingredients while even using ancient cooking techniques. - attentive, friendly yet professional service staff. - arguably the most beautiful location in Portofino, including a fantastic rooftop bar. We shall definitely come back.

A lovely restaurant, with impeccable service and the food was exceptional, but what spoiled my evening was the “glass” of Donnafugata 2018 Chardonnay for 30€ (see photo) when I could have ordered a bottle for 80€. I usually never order wine without knowing the price, but I made a mistake tonight. After I finished dinner and one 10€ bottle of water, they started to pour a second bottle, which I never asked for, and then charged me, until I asked that it be removed from the bill, and it was. Everyone knows Portofino is expensive but this was too much, and would explain the empty tables when every restaurant around the harbor was filled.

Great quality exquisite food and friendly nice service. The only pity would be the overpriced wine. 2 glasses €76 for prosecco seems too much

Stunning location. We went on Saturday evening and we had a overall great experience both 11 corses menu and wine list. We decided to pair the menu eith Fiammarossa, Trebbiano grape. Chef Mattia Pecis and the whole Team are very young and they are the proof that the future is in the hands of new generations. Bravo Cracco in giving them the chance and Complimenti ragazzi for your passion in what you do!

Cracco is in a beautiful location. That's the good. Now here's the bad . They literally make fun of u . They poured our champagne into a glass. 1st it was 48 per glass and 10% surcharge for being in a beautiful location. They only covered the bottom of the glass. And no. I'm not kidding . Maybe 2mm high. I will add pics . Coke 10. The food ( check menu) was the strangest combination of ingredients. Oh. My small side dish ( size) spaghetti with tomato sauce was 42 + 10% beauty fee . So for 3 people was 245 . We left and had pizza 🍕 in an outdoor cafe. So unless u have money to burn. Don't go

Most importantly the food was so so. At $1500 for two full course with wine and water that is simply not ok. By far the most stuck up staff ever. You have to pay for you water and the cheapest option is $35 for Pierrier up to $150! The staff is pushy to have you order the best one - they asked us to upgrade the water no less than 5 times. The wine list is ridiculously over prices with bottles marked up 10 times +++. We would not spend $4000 on a bottle of wine, rather and overpriced one for $450 and it was brutally obvious that we were not liked! They opened the bottle and poured a good sized glass of the wine for them to taste, imagine if I bought the $60K bottle, it would have been a $6K pour at least! There are many better restaurants for reasonable prices and wine marked up keystone or less. The owner and chief lives up to his reputation of being a disrespectful hot head by training his staff to be the same. I have eat all over the whole in Michelin Star restaurants (which this one is not and should never be) that I felt more comfortable in. I was unable to relax and enjoy my meal with the condemnation we felt from everyone that served us or we were in contact with. You could cut the tension with a knife because we we not taking their direction. It was so bad that as we exited the gale at the door who was kind enough to open it and kick us in the rear as we left saying "Thank you for coming, maybe we will see you again; or maybe not"!! Spend you hard earned money with a group that respects you and welcomes you as a guest, NOT CRACCO that we have nick name CRACK HOUSE! And at the end you see they add a 10% VAT and basically DEMAND a tip - I left a $1 to let them know I heard them.

AMAZING experience - food, service, ambience, view, everything. Had a funny little hiccup to start with, which was our fault for being completely underdressed (shorts, sneakers, t-shirts), the maitre'd thought we were cruise shippers or something along those lines "Madam have you seen our menu?"..... LOL. It was an unexpected 'we want good seafood' kind of lunch and this looked good when we walked past, hence we weren't prepared/dressed appropriately. The food was just so freaking delicious, the service was attentive but not in your face, our seats at the edge of the balcony overlooking the harbor offered fabulous people (and super yacht) watching, and the wines were spectacular. We just had a couple of wines by the glass as we were driving, and despite being costly they were amazing (I had a white from Ravello, which I'm trying to hunt down now - hopefully I can get it in New Zealand!). The deserts are worth mentioning specifically - I often find them soooo overly sweet, but these were the perfect balance, not too sweet at all. Highly recommend!

My girlfriend and I went here on holiday. They charged us for three glasses of wine in what was really MAYBE half pours and then attempted to charge us for another glass. Food was good not great. No wonder they had only two tables full while other places were packed. Avoid it