
The off-season has arrived and many local businesses have already taken advantage of the slight lull and have closed for some much needed R&R. It can be tricky for those planning to visit in the off-season to know which restaurants, bars & cafés will be open (heck, it’s even tricky for us locals to know and keep track!). I’ve created this cheat sheet so you’ll know what to find open during your visit to Riomaggiore this off-season. Keep in mind that *in theory* there should always be at least one bar and one restaurant open during the off-season to accommodate visitors and locals.
Like many things in Italy, the following list is elastic (read: not set in stone) and I will be amending it as new information is given to me or changes are made (so be sure to check back).
Restaurants
Dau Cila: Open until December 31st with the exception of their weekly day of closure on Mondays, closed starting in January (precise date still not known) until February 28th
Il Grottino: Closed from October 31st to March 7th
La Grotta: Closed from October 31st to March 7th
La Lampara: Open until January 7th, closed on Tuesdays, plans to reopen March 1st
Osteria Maitè: Closed from the 11th to the 26th of December
Rio Bistrot: Closed for the month of November
Ripa del Sole: Closed from November 13th to March 12th
Trattoria Via dell’Amore: Open but with plans to close for two weeks in January or February, closed on Wednesdays, Christmas Eve and Christmas day
Veciu Muin: Will remain open except for their weekly day of closure on Wednesdays
Grocery markets
Alimentari Franca: Will remain open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm for the month of November (opening days and hours for other months are still TBD)
Coop 5Terre*: Will remain open 7 days a week (with closure mid-day) for the month of November (opening days and hours for other months are still TBD)
*There are two Coop 5Terre locations in Riomaggiore (both on the main street). If one is closed try checking the other!
Take-away shops
Costevé: Closed from November 1st to February 28th
Da Paolino: Closed from November 12th to March 30th
Il Pescato Cucinato: Closed from November 2nd to March 15th
Mamma Mia: Closed from November 5th to March 1st
Faina e Fugassa: Open only on weekends in November and December, closed from January 6th to March 6th
K&Pris Pizzeria: Closed from the 15th to the 22nd of January
Siamo Fritti: Unknown at this time
Gelaterie*
GelateRio: Closed for the off-season
Gelateria Sottozero: Closed from November 10th to March 14th
Gelateria Zenzero: Closed from November 10th through March 8th
Old School: Closed for the off-season
*Unlike other countries, Italians think of ice cream as being a seasonal treat so it’s quite normal for gelaterie to be open only during the warmer months of the year.
Bars/Cafés
A Piè de Ma Bar & Vini: Strictly a seasonal bar, it will reopen for peak-season 2018
Bar Centrale: Open until December 16th with weekly day of closure on Mondays, they will reopen in February (precise date TBD)
Bar O’Netto: Closed from November 6th to December 6th, starting December 7th their weekly day of closure is Thursday
Bar Stazione: Open until January 22nd with Tuesday being the weekly day of closure, closed for holiday from January 23rd to February 13th
Fuori Rotta: Unknown at this time
Il Maggiore: Closed from November 6th to 9th, open from November 10th until January with Wednesday being their weekly day of closure, they will close in January (precise date TBD)
La Conchiglia: Strictly a seasonal bar, it will reopen around the 20th of March (precise date TBD)
La Zorza: Closed from November 16th to December 23rd and from January 9th to March 15th
Nonna Vittoria: Closed starting November 12th, reopens January 15th
Vertical: Closed for the off-season minus sporadic weekend openings
Bakery
Panificio Rosy: Closed from November 5th to December 20th*
*In the meantime, you can pick up fresh bread at the grocery markets (fresh bread is kept behind the counter)
I hope you’ve found this information helpful! Enjoy the peace and quiet of the off-season.
Amy