The story
Just outside Isola di Capo Rizzuto, surrounded by olive and fruit trees, Ruris is the realisation of Chef Natale Pallone’s lifelong ambition. Born in 1969, Pallone grew up in the family trattoria “La Contadinella,” where he absorbed the scents and colours of the sea and land. After graduating from the hotel school in Naples, he worked his way up, eventually taking over the family restaurant, renaming it Ruris, and shifting from traditional to modern cuisine.
His journey has not gone unnoticed. Ruris holds a Michelin recommendation, and Pallone has been recognised nationally – first prize in a Milan gourmet section, second in Rome, and six consecutive years of Ospitalità Italiana. The restaurant has been featured in the Touring Club guide and, notably, cited by the New York Times as one of the top three restaurants in Calabria.
Pallone’s cooking is firmly rooted in the local catch and Calabrian ingredients, reimagined with precision and creativity. The menu offers three tasting paths: Hera (€55, four courses), Artemide (€75, five courses), and the eight-course Afrodite (€100). Signature dishes include a parmigiana of octopus on Crotonese pecorino fondue, a risotto with courgette flowers, red shrimp and a hint of liquorice, and a Roucher of tuna with hazelnuts, foie gras and sea urchin ice cream. À la carte highlights stretch from spaghetti di Gragnano with sea urchins to a grilled seafood platter, all showcasing the best of the Ionian Sea.
The restaurant itself is a calm retreat, set in a garden with fruit trees and olive groves – the owner produces his own organic olive oil. Inside, the dining room is refined and carefully detailed, with soft lighting and elegant tableware. The location is a short drive from the Aragonese castle of Le Castella, a dramatic coastal landmark, making Ruris an ideal destination for a meal that balances tradition and innovation.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
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