A border cuisine
The Republic of San Marino has a long history of political autonomy from neighbouring Italy, but cuisine here is a bridge rather than a border. The culinary tradition of the Titano has Romagnolo and Montefeltro roots: piadina, cappelletti in broth, tagliolini with mutton sauce, grilled meats are dishes that move freely on either side of the border line.
There are, however, voices of its own. The Tre Monti cake, made of wafer layers stratified with chocolate, is the symbolic dessert of the Republic. The wines of San Marino are gathered under a local consortium and rest on Sangiovese, Ribolla and Moscato. Honey, extra-virgin olive oil and an unusual Sammarinese cooked ham complete the picture of typical productions.
«History separates the Republic from Romagna, cuisine sews them back together. At the table the border disappears and there remains the story of two lands that share a way of eating.»
Where to eat on the three peaks
Within the walls of the City of San Marino trattorias, panoramic restaurants and more tourist-oriented venues alternate. Salita alla Rocca, Contrada Omerelli and the streets above Piazza della Libertà concentrate much of the offer. Menus rest on the tradition of meat and filled pastas; some restaurants present non-Sammarinese cuisines, a sign of the tourist vocation of the historic centre.
In the upper part there are also some proposals outside the tradition. For Chinese cuisine, the Guang Dong (via Istriani 4) is a long-running restaurant in the historic centre, known for a menu including Mongolian and seasonal recipes. For a panoramic dinner with Italian cuisine, the Hotel Ristorante Cesare, in Salita alla Rocca 7, is one of the historic addresses of the upper city.
Borgo Maggiore and border
Leaving the upper city, the descent to Borgo Maggiore meets one of the most interesting stops: Novecento, a Viennese-style café and chocolate shop in the square hidden behind the main street. A selection of artisan chocolates from across Europe, variable hours and a seasonal café menu.
Going down the hairpins towards Rimini one meets Pane e Tulipani (via Brandolina 69), a fusion restaurant with meat, fish and vegetarian proposals. Lower down, almost at the border, America Graffiti in Strada di Paderna 2 offers hamburgers and tex-mex cuisine; alongside, Rose'n'Bowl in Strada Bulumina 3 combines an English-style pub, restaurant and bowling alley.
Six addresses of the Titano
| Venue | Area | Cuisine |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Ristorante Cesare | Upper city · Salita alla Rocca 7 | Italian, meat, panoramic |
| Guang Dong | Upper city · Via Istriani 4 | Chinese and Mongolian |
| Novecento | Borgo Maggiore | Café and chocolate shop |
| Pane e Tulipani | Via Brandolina 69 | Fusion, meat, fish, vegetarian |
| America Graffiti | Strada di Paderna 2 | Burgers, US and tex-mex |
| Rose'n'Bowl | Strada Bulumina 3 | Pub, pizza, bowling |
Reference list based on public addresses. Hours and availability are managed by the individual venues; booking is recommended in high season.
Tre Monti cake, wines, honey, cooked ham
The Tre Monti cake is the symbolic dessert of the Republic: layers of wafer held together by chocolate, with milk or dark chocolate variants. Alongside, Sammarinese wines are gathered under a local consortium based on Sangiovese, Ribolla and Moscato. The Terra di San Marino Consortium also protects typical and organic productions of the territory; Sammarinese cooked ham is a less known but recognisable production.