The story
Perched in Gabicce Monte, the hilltop village that crowns the Riviera Romagnola, Dalla Gioconda occupies one of the most commanding positions on Italy's northern Adriatic coast. The address alone – Via dell'Orizzonte, "Street of the Horizon" – tells you something about the experience awaiting guests.
In 2023, Wine Spectator awarded Dalla Gioconda its prestigious Best of Award of Excellence, a distinction reserved for restaurants that demonstrate exceptional depth and breadth in their wine programs. For an Italian restaurant in a relatively intimate coastal setting, earning this level of international recognition places Dalla Gioconda firmly among the country's most serious dining destinations. The award speaks not only to the cellar but to the overall commitment to quality that underpins every aspect of the table.
Dalla Gioconda draws guests from along the Adriatic coast and well beyond, combining the traditions of Italian cuisine with a setting that rewards the short climb up from Gabicce Mare below. Lunch and dinner are both offered, making it a destination for an unhurried midday meal as much as a considered evening out.
The wine list, recognised by Wine Spectator, is clearly a centrepiece – curated to complement the kitchen's Italian cooking with the kind of range and depth that serious wine lovers will appreciate.
Recognition
Details
History
High quality cooking
Chef Davide Di Fabio’s cuisine at Dalla Gioconda is taking on a stronger sense of identity: for four years, the chef has brought to Gabicce Monte a philosophy that intertwines memory, deconstruction, and reconstruction, transforming each dish into a personal narrative. Among his most representative creations are the risotto with lemon broth, roasted tomato water, and cuttlefish ink—a refined balance between acidity and deep marine flavors—and the potato tortelli, where the potato takes center stage in both the pasta dough and the filling, the result of a complex technique that yields an essential and harmonious outcome. Complementing the gastronomic experience is the breathtaking view of the Adriatic coastline from Monte San Bartolo, where the restaurant has stood since the 1950s, when it was a typical Riviera dance hall. Dalla Gioconda blends refinement and warmth, offering a contemporary yet homely atmosphere where every detail contributes to the harmony of the space. The philosophy of Stefano Bizzarri and Allegra Tirotti Romanoff combines elegance and environmental stewardship, guiding sustainable choices, low-impact materials, and exemplary energy solutions for an aesthetic, ethical, and sensory experience. Completing the experience is a monumental wine cellar featuring over 1,600 labels curated by Nicholas Bratti, an incredibly rich oenological journey spanning diverse territories, production philosophies, and rare vintages, in perfect dialogue with the kitchen. Starting this year, the project also expands to include a diffused hotel, allowing guests to experience the village through immersive hospitality and prolong their gastronomic journey in a truly unique setting.
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