The story
In the heart of Dolceacqua, on Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi, CASAeBOTTEGA is a restaurant that doesn’t follow the script. Run by Valeria Torchio in the dining room and chef Fabrizio in the kitchen, the place has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking – and it’s easy to see why.
The cuisine is proudly Ligurian and Mediterranean. The website describes it as “cucina ligure e mediterranea” – savoury, classy, built on excellent raw ingredients and thoughtful technique. Guests have singled out dishes like spaghetti croccanti al nero di seppia con salsa aiolì, a crisp squid-ink pasta served with a garlic sauce that arrives separately – and that, according to one diner, you’re instructed to add yourself. “More than a dish, a mystical experience,” they wrote.
The atmosphere is as memorable as the food. The interiors are an eclectic mix of design objects and vintage finds – what one guest called “a fusion of marvels”. It’s not just a restaurant; there’s also a design shop on site, and the owners run a holiday rental called Vicolo Rosso 2 for those wanting to stay longer.
Valeria’s presence is strong. Reviews describe her as knowledgeable, eccentric, and sometimes polarising – but consistently passionate about wine and local recommendations. Fabrizio’s cooking draws praise for its technical skill and passion. One visitor noted that some dishes “could rival Michelin-starred chefs”.
With outdoor seating, air conditioning, wheelchair access, and wine pairing available, CASAeBOTTEGA is a place that combines serious Ligurian-Mediterranean cooking with a genuinely individual spirit. The Bib Gourmand recognition confirms it: good value, high quality, and anything but ordinary.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
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