Makorè

The story

Makorè Ferrara: Italian Contemporary Seafood Restaurant with Michelin Recommendation

Makorè

In the heart of Ferrara, just steps from the Castello Estense and the Piazza delle Erbe, Makorè has been quietly rewriting the rules of seafood dining for over a decade. Chef Denny Lodi Rizzini leads a young, under-35 brigade trained in some of Italy’s finest dining kitchens. Their philosophy is clear: a modern, contemporary push that respects both the excellence of the Italian peninsula and the humbler ingredients that define tradition.

The restaurant structures its service around three daily moments: lunch, aperitivo, and dinner. From Tuesday to Saturday, the evening begins with a relaxed Bistrot aperitivo from 18:00, offering cicchetti and oysters, before moving into the main dining room. The signature experience is a blind six-course tasting menu at €70, a journey through the chef’s accumulated experience and culinary soul. Standouts include the “Pasticcio Estense” — a local Ferrara classic — and an inventive “Amatriciana” made with herring and nori seaweed. The kitchen’s creativity extends to a boiled-meat trolley, but one made entirely of fish.

The liquid proposal is equally ambitious. Sommelier Isacco Giuliani curates a modern, ever-evolving drinks list where wine is the protagonist but is joined by spirits, cocktails, and thoughtful non-alcoholic options. The wine list has earned Giuliani recognition as “Miglior Sommelier” by Le Guide Ristoranti and a special mention in the 2026 Michelin guide.

Makorè’s approach to Italian contemporary cuisine is grounded in quality and seasonality. The restaurant also operates a boutique fish shop, Pescheria Makorè, open during the day. This connection to the sea, combined with the team’s imagination and respect for local ingredients, has earned Makorè a place in the Michelin Guide — a well-deserved nod to a decade of focused, heartfelt work in Ferrara.