Ristorante L'Ancora della Tortuga

This is probably the most memorable meal I ever had. From the perfect setting to a lovely meal with the best company my family. From the onset the service was great! The meals outstanding and the view amazing. We had a variety of different dishes and we all tremendously enjoyed them. We recommended this restaurants to some friends 8 years later. They went and had a similar experience. In order to get in make reservations, we happened to stumble upon it and they had an open table.

Very tasty meal with unbelievable views! We ordered the risotto, paccheri pulpo and the baked fish and each one was incredible! A little pricey but pretty average for the area. Best meal we had in Monterosso. Add it to the list!

Seriously incredible food. The anchovies pasta was amazing and breathtaking. Service was great. Would absolutely recommend it to anyone visiting Cinque Terre. Thanks for an amazing experience.

Great food, good food. Service was excellent. We had anchovies, ravioli, tagliatelle and the fish of the day. The fish of the day was very well cooked. We came in shoulder season but it was still very busy and they managed they managed to get us a table within 10 minutes. Views are lovely.

We had a lovely meal! No reservation but had a table almost immediately since the original guests didn't turn up. The staff was extremely friendly and kind. All staff made suggestions for local dishes and wine. Overall, it was an extremely pleasant experience. Thank you for a great meal and night!

Service was outstanding as was the food. Managed to secure a table inside just before a storm rolled through. Octopus pasta was the best pasta I have had in Italy. The fried bread is also amazing so be careful not to fill up being your mains arrive!

Good, but not great. Food was good. Octopus + paccheri fantastic. Risotto solid. Service, while kind, was under staffed and difficult to get their attention. Had to follow up to get things we'd ordered already, and quite slow overall. Atmosphere is unbelievable, super neat space. All told, for the price (and bib gourmand), would've hoped for a little more.

The atmosphere and service were top notch. We were sat at the only table at the top of the entrance facing the sea and cliffs. We had mostly seafood, catch of the day, anchovy, and dory (i believe), which was all cooked perfectly and delicious. We also had the pesto risotto which unfortunately, it was a miss for us.

Very nice restaurant in the midst of many mediocre restaurants in monterosso. Beautiful views, fresh seafood, very good service. Make a reservation!

Gorgeous surprise dinner by my bf with the most stunning!!! view!!! of dinner I have ever seen!! we got the 5 course prix fix menu with wine pairings. tbh i didn't even know what i was eating half the time but it was all some sort of fish variation. everything was very beautifully plated and I also was super impressed by the service. bread to start was delicious - best bread of our trip - so light, doughy, airy, and well seasoned. fave dishes of the night were the spaghetti with anchovies & catfish, which was super tender and soo good in that tomato stew sauce!!! dessert was sorta mid, not something i would've personally ordered but i guess it's a local dish? this is definitely a seafood lovers dream of a dinner spot

We went here in 2018 and were blown away. The food, service, and atmosphere are incredible. I see how they got a Michelin star.

Great atmosphere and food! Wonderful view too! Definitely worth going and enjoying the food, drinks, and view.

I guess I should have looked at how old the reviews were. While this may have been good in the past, it was a big disappointment for us. The service and food were both only fair. Not a very good menu and when the food arrived , it was not hot. Nobody came by to ask how it was, so we couldn't tell them. Would not recommend this one at all!

This was one of our favorite meals from start to finish. Our party of 8 had a reservation, and arrived to a beautiful table set up overlooking the sea. The tasting menu looked like a great way to try local seafood and test your comfort zone, but our party chose to order a la carte. We started with the tartare which set a wonderful tone for the whole meal. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their main dishes, I had the risotto which was delicious and I heard especially rave reviews about the ravioli. The service was very attentive, which made our experience even more enjoyable. This restaurant is a must try if you are in Monterosso!

After seeing the reviews for this place, we had our hotel secure reservations for their last seating of the evening. We'd heard the view was amazing, but our table was downstairs and inside where you couldn't see anything at all, so be sure you aren't coming just for the view! Even though there were only a couple occupied tables in the dining room, our server took a really long time to come greet us, longer to come back for our drink order, I almost fell asleep before she took our food order, and I was dozing by the time food came out.. and she never checked on us in between. It was actually the first time in Italy we had a server who was unpleasant too. The husband and I had been amazed at how nice and hospitable waitstaff was in italy, so it was a bit surprising to be greeted with a bit of an attitude. We were extra nice, though, and finally got her to smile by the end. We'd had a late lunch, so we weren't starving, and each ordered just one thing. The husband really enjoyed his truffle pasta and devoured it despite saying he was too full for dinner. This was the only time on our trip I got risotto, and I picked a good time cause it was delicious. Herbaceous from the basil and topped with a local prawn and lots of shrimp bites mixed in.. really was phenomenal. If dining here again, I'd definitely reserve a good table in advance and come hungry so I could try more things.

I made a reservation 3 weeks in advance. Was confirmed on the phone. I arrived today (July 25th) and was informed I had no reservation though I called, was confirmed, and I added it to my personal calendar to not miss it because I heard great things about the restaurant. Very disheartening.

We had heard great things, but all expectations were exceeded! We arrived a bit early, and were able to be accommodated. We had requested a sea view table and were seated closest to the water. We ordered the fish sampler, pesto risotto, and tuna. The seafood sampler included nine types of fish, ever one was excellent. The pesto risotto had prawns in it and was delicious and very fresh. The tuna was cooked perfectly. The restaurant recommended a bottle of local wine which was also excellent. I would recommend this place to anyone coming to Monterosso! Definitely make a booking in advance, we saw several people get turned away who didn't have a booking.

After a day hiking Cinque Terre we ended here for dinner at the most beautiful cliffside view. Service was good. Although, just a heads up, when you do call to make a reservation, you have to specify you want a table RIGHT along the water. We didn't know that so we were sat a row up even though there were empty tables by the water (they were being saved for walk ins I think..) a bit disappointing but we still enjoyed the view and night. The food was good. Beautiful presentation but lacking a tad in flavor. Overall nice night, nice views, okay service, good food.

Yum! We were able to get a reservation the next night after calling. Originally we made it for outside but since it was a rainy evening, they allowed us to move inside with a short wait. Once it was time to order my husband decided he wanted to do the tasting menu, while I only wanted the truffle pasta. They allowed us to do that which was really nice and uncommon. The bread they brought out as well was phenomenal! Like a seasoned beignet. We enjoyed all of our food so much, and were completely stuffed when it was time to leave. If you make a reservation for inside, I would recommend the little raised nook area surrounded by rock. They'll know what you're talking about. Looked like a fun spot to sit (it had cushions). We sat at main level which was totally fine, but if you're looking for something different that seat was unique. Service was great as well. On top of things. Fun vibe inside. Would recommend!

I found this restaurant on the Michelin website and checked the TripAdvisor reviews. I didn't get to make a reservation on time, but I came early on a weekday at around 6:50 PM to see if I could get seated at 7:30 PM. Google said they opened at 7:30, but it turns out they open at 7 PM. There were three other parties ahead of me, and two of them had reservations. Thankfully, those with reservations were sitting inside, so I got a table on the cliff overlooking the Ligurian Sea. It was amazing. GETTING HERE: It's in the town of Monterosso, which is part of Cinque Terre. Getting off of the train, turn left and keep walking along the beach. Go up toward the "torre" (tower) signs, not through the tunnel. It's the first restaurant on the right. if you have reservations, you can go directly down the stairs inside. If you don't, you need to talk with a server. SERVICE: English is spoken. I added a secondi plate later, and I think the server may have forgotten about it because it took 30+ minutes after the primi dishes came out. FOOD: Get the catch of the day. The fish is served whole, but they'll filet it for you if you ask. It's cooked Ligurian style - in the oven with potatoes. I tried Gragnano's spaghetti, which came with a good amount of seafood. Everything was so fresh. I loved how they cooked the octopus! I also tried the risotto, but this one got cold quickly. It tasted better hot. I would recommend getting this too. They also have a traditional menu of 6-7 items for 45 euros. It sounds good to try if you can't decide what to order. The prices are steep compared to places in Rome or Florence. I guess they factor in having seafood and nice views. They have restrooms inside, thank God! You don't have to pay for it if you're dining there. I visited in April, and it got very cold toward the end of the night. They supply small blankets, but I don't know if they were used/I didn't want to take chances.

Came on a rainy day and had to sit inside. Beautiful, scenic restaurant with breathtaking views, i'm sure would have been more impressive if dining outdoors. The service was attentive and the dishes were delicious. Overall excellent dining experience.

The service was great. We ordered the gnocchi Batti Batti and it was delicious. The ambiance was charming.

We luckily got seated without a reservation for a late lunch outside. I would recommend the outdoor seating. We enjoyed fresh seafood and wine and had a wonderful time.

For being a Michelin restaurant, I was surely disappointed. The food was just okay. It was quite bland and the service was horrible. No one came by not even once to ask how we were doing or even poured one glass of wine for us. I have visited many Michelin restaurant in all my years and was very disappointed. For a quarter of the price we have had excepcional meal throughly Italy. This was not one of them.

Probably one of the best restaurants in all of Italy--a dozen tables set off against the ridge with a drop dead view of the Ligurian coast. On a summer Day the white table cloth setting complements the wonderful courses, from the antipasti to the primi on to the secondi. The service was regrettably poor, with 4 or 5 lovely servers all eagerly hanging out together and talking, forgetting the orders, generally ignoring the guests but really who cares. It's one of those bucket list singing experiences in Italy

This place deserves a 5 star just cause of the view! Right on the cliff off to the side in Monterosso, you have an amazing view of the beach and town down below and of course the sunset of the Mediterranean Sea! Can't get any better than this view from the terrace and outdoor seating! They're limited on seating so come by and make reservations! The service is spectacular cause this is considered a fine dining experience. Servers run your food up and down those stairs from the kitchen and restaurant below to the outside seating upstairs. We ordered the fried bread - I know right?! You heard that right! Fried bread! And I thought I was carbo-loading?! I couldn't stop eating this! It was fried bread seasoned lightly with sea salt and spices! Yum! Get a basket of this! We also ordered the anchovies and olives caprese salad, which of course came with buffala mozzarella! The anchovies gave it a nice touch! I had the anchovy spaghetti - seasoned well and lovely lovely flavors! The pastas cooked to perfection once again - why am I even surprised?! Italians got pastas down! My friend got the ravioli Ragu, which we weren't a fan of.. and my other friend got the whole fish (sea bream or sea bass) - fresh fish of the day. They debone and Filet the fish tableside for you, which is fun to watch. The fish was definitely so so fresh, you can taste it! It's served with potatoes! For dessert, we had the yogurt with honey (tasted like it sounds, except Italian yogurt is a bit more loose and not as custardy, like I'm use to in the states. The tiramisu was ok - a bit sweet and not enough of the coffee flavor and drenched ladyfingers! Overall, a fantastic dining experience in Cinque Terre! We would come back just for the views! Food was delicious!

This place is a MUST. Incredible meal, views, service. Definitely book in advance so you don't miss an opportunity to enjoy this magical place. The pesto risotto with prawns was indescribable. I'm certain it was one of the best meals I had the entire time I was in Italy. The anchovy appetizer was a fun way to experience different preparations and I would highly recommend. Don't pass up!

I really recommend making a reservation before you come, especially if you're a group larger than two. I saw tons of people get turned away. That said, I showed up by myself and got a nice table and had the tasting menu and everything was delicious. Entrees, 2 pastas, wine, dessert. The staff were lovely, the sun was shining, it was a perfect experience. If I'm lucky enough to make it back here, I'll absolutely dine here again!

First the restaurant sits in a cliff and provides a spectacular view overlooking the sea. The service staff was very friendly and attentive. Now for the food. I am a seafood lover but went against the grain and order ravioli and bolognese. My husband ordered the same thing for our first course. It was absolutely amazing. The fresh tomato flavor was bursting through and rightly so because they are grown in the village. Yes the pasta is made in the restaurant and it too is was perfect. For our second course we shared the pork tenderloin with apples in a red wine reduction and friend artichoke. So my husband does not really eat fruit especially warm apples. He ate his portion and tried to eat mine as well. There was not a single thing in this restaurant that was mediocre. This a perfect ending to our first trip Italy.

TRY THE SEAFOOD PASTA IF YOUR IN NEED OF A SOIREE IN YOUR MOUTH. The steamy and silky linguine paired with the freshly caught and seasoned seafood, will give you the ITIS. Definitely will need a nap after this one.

The view is amazing on this one so it's worth the bit of the walk! The staff were willing to go above and beyond for us and we were not disappointed. The fish of the day, the pasta, gnocchi and drinks were amazing! Make sure you come here when visiting this part of the world!

Despite its amazing location and views, this place doesn't get lazy with the food. It turns out some phenomenal dishes! Anchovies antipasto (4/5) - nice sampler of fish to see what anchovies can be like. Nice small salad too. Mussels (5/5) - some of the best I've ever had. A very deep and complex broth. Not your usual white wine butter type -- something completely different Swordfish pasta (4/5) - ended up being a light pasta dish and very different than your usual pasta in the US since it has fish Overall food was great and combined with the view and amazing service, I'd come back in a heart beat.

Ristorante L'Ancora della Tortuga was something I found when researching Monterosso Al Mare. We love to support local family operated businesses and we found that the chef and his wife own this lovely, rustic, seaside establishment. The evening we came in it was pouring with rain. Finding the place was not at first easy, but when we walked in a little flustered with ourselves, they seated us graciously and let us settle with some white wine we chose and served us extraordinary, pillowy, garlicky, dough morsels that just melt in your mouth. We decided on first and second courses each that we would share with one another. For our first courses, we had a grilled prawn and pesto risotto with pine nuts, and a Spaghetti Del Gargano with octopus, clams, mussels and prawns tossed with olive oil, basil and cherry tomato - yes this was just a first course. For the second course we asked for the catch of the day which was Sea Bass, on a bed of shaved potato with tomato, olives, spring lettuce, lemon and herbs. They present it to you whole, then offer to clean it up. The other second course was a Tuna Steak with caramelized red onion with lightly breaded and fried, garden fresh zucchini slices. Are you drooling yet? I am, I want to go back there everyday for the rest of my life. The service was wonderful and the restrooms clean. The atmosphere is really beautiful and I'm guessing in better weather amazing to dine alfresco! You have to make reservations, its a small place! Be sure to give it a try though! Dessert was available but we had no room. Their chocolate cake was being ordered repeatedly though! And we were given a lovely limoncello with our check too.

Tortuga is top notch. We made a reservation to be safe, which was probably a good idea based on how quickly the restaurant filled up after we sat. We were seated at a cute little table on an upper level inside what looked like a small enclave. So special! Had a bottle of red, local wine that was so tasty. Ordered the creamed cod appetizer, Grandma's truffle pasta, orange duck and steamed salmon entrees. Food was out of this world! Finished with tiramisu for dessert. We discovered what the Michelin rating was here and I'm glad we did. Service was great for how busy the restaurant got as a large party sat in the middle soon after we arrived. View out the door is phenomenal!

My husband & I had the most exceptional dining experience here early in July. When I originally made the reservation, it was for a later time and requested an outdoor table with a view. I had called day of to change to an earlier time (7pm which is when they opened). We arrived to the restaurant and there was a short que and we were 3rd in line. There was a cute table right at the top of the stairs that was just for 2 people with the Tortuga sign that I thought was the best seat in the house and when we were up I gave my name and the lovely woman said "your table is right here". There were other tables along the stone wall with the beautiful view of Vernazza and the ocean but this table was secluded onto itself & charming. The entire waitstaff was superb and gave exceptional & professional service. The food was also the BEST we had eaten during our 8 days in Cinque Terre! Out of all the places we had eaten, this was our FAVORITE!

Best restaurant we've experienced thus far in Italy. Absolutely everything was amazing from the doughy bread, to the seafood sampler, to our amazing pasta with truffle, to the catch of the day (sea bass). Everyone was in food bliss!

Excellent lunch with a fantastic staff, the view out of this world! I highly recommend this restaurant that is built in a wall bunker, had the steak tartare with truffles which was spectacular to start and then the seafood pasta which was great! Also, I recommend the house wine

This was probably the best dinner we had in Cinque Terre. This restaurant has amazing views on the seaside, no matter where you choose to sit . We had an octopus for the starter, and it was very soft and did not taste like rubber, which happens sometimes with the octopus. Both lobster pasta and tuna in peanut tasted delicious. Deserts are worth trying too.

Probably the best restaurant in Monterosso. Everything here was delicious, fresh, and perfectly cooked. Unlike most other restaurants we ate at in Italy, they had some fantastic bread varieties in their bread basket. Amazing views to top it all off. Based on our one experience here, this is a must go if you're visiting Cinque Terre.

If you're visiting Monterosso, I feel like this should definitely be one of the restaurants you go to. However, if you want to sit outside and overlook the ocean, you need to have a reservation. We didn't have a reservation but we're still able to be seated inside (which is very nice, too). I ordered the gnocchi with fish cream sauce and a fillet for my first course and their tuna steak for my main course. If you're in Cinque Terre, you need to order pesto at least once since it's the birthplace of it, and this restaurant's pesto did not disappoint. Both fish were also divine. My main course fillet practically melted in my mouth, so good! Both dishes were very delicious and well done and I'd recommend both. The fry bread they served at the beginning was also a highlight! Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant!

Have you ever found a place so good that you debate about posting it so you can just keep to yourself. This is that place, but I live so far away from it that I don't mind sharing it. The locally caught anchovies come in 3 styles and are the best in town! I would also recommend the pesto dish as my wife almost died over how good it was. Pair it all with some white wine from the cinque terre The restaurant is amazingly carved into the side of a massive rock cliff facing the sea. Try to book ahead and get a table outside but inside is also really nice. Don't be late for your reservation ( we walked up and got table only because some others were over an hour late) the view at dinner is un believable and if I hadn't already proposed to my wife I would do it there. Italy at it's finest !!

We went here for our honey moon and this restaurant was so perfect! It's one of the most romantic restaurants here! It's amazing how they converted this old war bunker into such a great restaurant! the restaurant is built into the cliff and over looks the ocean! The food here is amazing to. Everything is cooked well! They have great service reminds me of a nice high class restaurant in the USA . My husband ordered the special catch of the day, and was told it was a white fish but there was shrimp also in his dish which he was unaware of , he can't eat shellfish, but the waiter happily replaced his meal and didn't charge us for it.

We went there for lunch expecting some nice place being from New England area in US. It was absolutely breathtaking. The view and the weather combined, couldn't be more beautiful than this, it was magnificent. The drive from Florence is good but as soon as you get closer, it's treacherous, I'm afraid of heights but it was absolutely worth it. But faint of heart, take the train. We ordered shrimp tartare as an appetizer which was mouthwatering. For main entree ordered sea bass which was done to perfection. Overall, amazing experience both with food and the view.

This is a fabulous restaurant in every regard. It is also one of those places that will stick in your memory for years to come. The view is spell binding, the restaurant authentic and charming and the Servers especially nice. The food is divine. Homemade pasta with fresh seafood and homemade sauce. Not a run of the mill tourist meal, but an exceptional dish with the freshest ingredients. It is obvious the owners take pride in what they serve. Do yourself a favor and dine here. You will remember it fondly for years to come.

Had a a simple spaghetti and today's fish with a mozzarella salad. Amazing! Amazing house wine as well! Stunning view!

Best meal we had in Cinque Terre. The duck, and pesto risotto with scampi were delicious, as was the bread. Service was attentive. Atmosphere is really cool inside (it was a bit cold to be outside), and outdoor seating has fantastic water views if the weather permits. Price was commensurate with everywhere else.

I wish I could review the food but I unfortunately will not be experiencing the food or view here. If you are American and don't speak much Italian, be forewarned, you will not be a priority to them. My wife and I were recommended this restaurant by our hotel. We walked there about an hour before sunset. There were about a dozen empty tables both inside and outside. We asked (in Italian) the young lady that greeted us if she spoke English. She gave an interesting expression and just grunt d. We asked if the had a spot for duo. She said no, everything was reserved. I asked if that included inside and she said yes. My wife and I were disappointed but understood. We talked for about 60 seconds and then decided to ask for a reservation for the next day at lunch. During that time, an Italian couple walked up and asked another young lady if they had a table available for 2. She said yes and sat them at a great spot outside along the wall. I then approached her and asked her why the other young lady said they didn't have a spot. The other girl walked up and said they had a cancellation. I said, "in the last 60 seconds?" Then suddenly she couldn't understand me. I called her out on that and said I knew she could. She then cursed at me in Italian, which I responded in Italian essentially saying 'excuse you'? The other young lady got embarrassed and said they would find us a seat. Of course at that point I wasn't going to trust putting anything in my mouth from this place. I replied and said, thanks but we don't want to eat here anymore. The charming young lady then said "perfect" as I was walking away. She continued following me and saying "Perfect. Good bye. Go away." At that point I stopped and turned around without saying anything and looked at her. She then jumped up into my face and said "What?!" At that point a young man who obviously was more balanced than this young lady grabbed her and told her to go inside. Long story short, that particular short young lady with short brown hair and tattoos doesn't like Americans.

This place is overrated. Instead, dine at Torre Aurora which is just up the road and has amazing views of the water and old town Monterosso. The prices are about the same, but the service and attention is a bit better

The view is amazing and the food is just as good. We had the branzino for two baked with potatoes and it was the best meal of our vacation. The recommemded by the server wine Cinque Terre Pergole Basse was lovely.

Another favourite in Monterosso! Make reservations as there are only 8 tables outside. One of the best things about this restaurant is the view.. You are on the mountain in between old town and new town. You can hear the waves crashing as you take each bite. The second best part is the bread! Yes to die for. Puffed up salt donuts. The most amazing pre-dinner snack. We wish we would have asked for more. The main course was tasty. I had the pumpkin ravioli and my boyfriend had the basil risotto and prawns. Neither of us were disappointed. The creamy richness of the sauce, pair with fresh seasoning. The Prawns were the best I've ever had. No fishy or bubble wrap texture at all. (I'm quite picky about my seafood) 5 stars!

This is one of the best places I've been to in Italy. The food in general wasn't overly done and we were happy with all the dishes we ordered. The portion was not too much or not too little and their bread they served in the beginning was superb too. ( I'm not sure what it was but it was empty inside and slightly savory) In overall, I would recommend to anybody ;)

I love love this place. Perfect spot to watch the sunset and drink some delicious Cinque Terre white wine. The fish of the day Ligurian style was quite possibly the best fish I've had....so good. That fried bread is like salty pillows of perfection. The staff was really friendly and helpful, overall fantastic experience. I will revisit in my dreams.

Beautiful scenery, lovely local wines , and delicious meal. Friendly waitstaff. We enjoyed our meal, capping off a delightful visit to Cinque terre. Recommend calling a day ahead for reservations to secure outdoor seating with a view.

So glad we checked out this recommendation from our hotel. Best food we had in Cinque Terre hands-down! I had the pancetta-wrapped prawns with pineapple and my boyfriend had the prawn risotto. The view and ambiance dining outside were of course unbeatable. To be safe, make sure you call at least a day ahead of time to make a reservation if you want to sit outside. Incredibly romantic, would highly recommend!

Beautiful views! Service was not great. If I'm paying 19€ for an appetizer I expect a new fork / silverware for each course. The tuna tartare with strawberries was exceptional. The main course of ravioli with burrata and a lamb fennel ragu tasted like a meat sauce- nothing special, definitely no taste of fennel. The salmon with a mango chutney consisted of an excellent cooked piece of salmon but with just slices of mango - not chutney. Overall I wouldn't suggest paying 120€ for dinner at this place.

The freshest seafood I had in Italy. Highly recommend. We ate inside the the atmosphere was so cozy.

Dinner was very yummy! Starts with a selection of bread including a fried bread that tasted like a salted donut. Kinda sounds weird but was delicious! We ordered a Caprese salad to start and the tomatoes were incredibly fresh and delicious. Highly recommend it. For dinner, we ordered the pumpkin and cheese tortellini, the pesto lasagna and sea bass with potatoes. The fish was very fresh but didn't have a whole lot of flavor. The lasagna was yummy if you love pesto but super cheesy! The pumpkin pasta was unique and delicious--our favorite. The combination of the food and the view is unbeatable. Highly recommend for an upscale meal in new town Monterosso. In the summer, get a reservation to be safe.