La Brinca

The story

La Brinca: Bib Gourmand Ligurian Trattoria in Ne, Chiavari

Origin and Setting

La Brinca takes its name from a woman nicknamed Texinin (Teresina) of the Brinche family, who lived in this stone farmhouse in the mid-1800s. In 1987, the Circella family transformed the building into a trattoria e caneva con fùndego da vin – an osteria with shop and cellar. The restaurant sits in the hamlet of Campo di Ne, in the steep Val Graveglia, where the Ligurian landscape is as rugged as the name suggests. Today, the Circella family carry on the tradition, offering a taste of the land and its history.

Cuisine of the Ligurian Hinterland

The menu at La Brinca is firmly rooted in the peasant cooking of the Ligurian Levante, driven by local ingredients and seasonal rhythms. Dishes bear ancient names: Prebugiun di Ne (a wild herb pie), Panella (chickpea flour cake), Panissa (chickpea polenta), Baciocca (a potato and bean casserole), Frisciulle (fritters), Testaieu (pancakes), Picagge (hand-rolled pasta), Tuccu (meat sauce), Tomaxelle (meat rolls), Sancrau (a medieval fish stew), and Panera (a cream dessert). These are not museum pieces – they are prepared with care, gently updated to suit modern palates while staying true to their roots. The kitchen’s respect for the ingredients is evident in every plate.

Recognition and Atmosphere

La Brinca’s commitment to honest, high-quality cooking at a fair price earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a mark of good value. The trattoria is also celebrated by Italian food critics, including a notable mention on the Golosario 2023 by Paolo Massobrio and Marco Gatti. The dining room is warm and unpretentious, with a terrace for outdoor seating in good weather. The wine list, curated by the family, includes a strong selection of local and Italian labels – ask for it in advance via WhatsApp, and they will send it to you.

Practical Notes

Reservations are essential and accepted only via WhatsApp to the number provided on the website. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, open Tuesday to Friday for dinner, and Saturday, Sunday, and holidays for both lunch and dinner. The family recommends booking at least 20 days in advance for weekends. La Brinca is a place where the story of Liguria’s land and its people is told through the plate – and that story is worth experiencing.