Looking for suggested spots for lunch in Portofino, preferably on/near the water or a view of the water.
I was hoping to lunch at La Terrazza, but the Splendido Belmond doesn’t reopen for the season until later in June.
Looking at DaV Mare at the ‘other’ Belmond property on the water, but the menu seems challenging for our two pre-teens.
So open to suggestions from other Berserkers that have visited Portofino. Thanks!
Funny enough, I’m staying in camogli in august and stumbled on taverna del marinaio in portofino as I look for restaurants. We may stop there for lunch. Haven’t been but looks solid.
Ristorante da Gemelli right on the water. We did a day trip to Portofino Sept 2019 and didn’t have any lunch plans set. We figured some of the spots were definitely going to be tourist traps and got a good feel from Gemelli. We took a shot and really enjoyed it. We did notice many Italians eating there as well. The seafood, risotto and pasta were excellent as well as the service.
They have a pretty active FB page so you can get a feel for the place. We will go back for sure one day. Owned by twin brothers hence the name.
I have a trip write up for our other spots if you search for it. We stayed in SML.
Yes, the food in Gemelli is quite good. We were there last summer. Fair to say service was horrible.
There are 2 restaurants meanwhile from the brothers in Portofino.
I also recommend „Paraggi Bay“ the beach before Portofino. Also quite nice the beach restaurant and hotels.
Thank you, I’ve booked lunch at Gemelli al molo
Taking the ferry over from SML, then checking out Castello Brown before lunch. After lunch, our plan is to walk and visit various shops in town, and of course, gelato before ferrying back
Man, I miss Camogli. We spent a week of our honeymoon at the Cenobio dei Dogi 30 years ago and ate focaccia multiple times a day. Still chasing that recipe down
I find most of the restaurants in Portofino ‘meh’ – most have so-so reviews. It’a always a hazard when restaurants assume travelers will eat anything they’re presented with, due to the view (think Venice along the canals).
Best rated one I’m aware of is Trattoria Tripoli, while Gemelli is tasty (question on service).
If you have a car and want to go somewhere amazing and where there are no tourists, I’d hit U Giancu. They’re the real Ligurian deal. No sea view, however. 
Camogli! Fantastic focaccia for sure (though I have to say the best onion focaccia in Liguria for me is at Fratelli Basso in Vernazza. Service is surly, but damn, the focaccia!)
We are at Villa Anita in SML for a week in July. Any berserker recommendations for a restaurant with character that mum, dad and ten year old twins would all appreciate?
It might be a bit too modern for the kids but we had an excellent dinner in SML at https://www.zininella.it/
This looks like a good option in Rapallo. We had some fantastic seafoood in Rapallo. A bit more casual and should work with kids https://www.ristoranterapala.it/menu/
And in Camolgi this should work as well. We had a very nice dinner over looking the sea
