SaleGrosso

The story

SaleGrosso: Modern Seafood & Italian Contemporary on Elba's Coast in Marciana Marina

Tradition meets innovation on the Elba waterfront

On the main square of Marciana Marina, overlooking the sea and the ancient Torre di Marciana Marina, SaleGrosso brings a fresh perspective to the island’s culinary identity. The restaurant’s philosophy is rooted in a simple principle: “what we found from the fisherman in the morning, you will find on your plate at dinner.” That commitment to local sourcing — almost exclusively Elban fish, plus vegetables, herbs and fruit from the island and the Val di Cornia — is matched by an ambition to elevate those ingredients through refined technique.

The kitchen is led by young chef Luca, whose experience in Michelin-starred restaurants shows in the precision of his cooking. He and his team describe their approach as a balance between “the simplicity of products and the complexity of preparation techniques.” The menu changes monthly, following the natural cycle of what arrives at the market and on the fishing boats. That makes each visit a snapshot of Elba’s seasons.

What to expect on the plate

The menu at SaleGrosso is divided into a la carte options and a tasting journey. The tasting menu, eight courses for €80 per person, offers a curated sequence of the chef’s current inspirations. Recent dishes from the a la carte section include a tartare of local fish with smoked kefir and fig leaf oil, roasted octopus with giardiniera and seaweed rice chips, and an orzotto with red prawn, XO sauce and bisque. For the main course, there is white fish with potatoes, olives and oven-dried tomatoes in a fish jus, or scottled amberjack with cumin-roasted eggplant, pine nuts, yogurt gel and fish jus. Even the desserts — like the “100% vanilla” mousse, sauce and ice cream, or the chocolate Illanka 63% mousse with praline and pistachio gelato — show the same attention to detail.

A separate vegetarian menu is also available, and the wine list is described as “selected and refined.”

The setting: stone, sea, and light

The restaurant occupies a space that once was a warehouse, and the original stone floor remains, grounding the room in the building’s history. A bright veranda opens to the sea, where guests can watch the sunset behind the medieval tower. It is a setting that encourages lingering.

SaleGrosso’s quality has been recognised with a Michelin Recommended award, a natural fit for a kitchen that works with such integrity. For anyone seeking Italian contemporary cuisine that is both rooted in Elban tradition and pushed forward by genuine skill, this is a place worth seeking out.