The story
Just a short distance from the coast in the Casabianca area of Fermo, Ristorante Emilio is a place where the love of cooking and the passion for art have been intertwined for over half a century. The story began in 1965, when Emilio Bei and his wife Milvia opened the doors of their restaurant. While Milvia was in the kitchen creating dishes like the famous gnocchi alla campagnola, Emilio cultivated deep friendships with some of Italy’s most significant contemporary painters—Guttuso, Burri, Vedova, Dorazio, and Cascella among them.
Those friendships left a lasting mark on the restaurant. In 1981, Emilio launched his now-famous collection of hand-painted bottles, a tribute to the lively, art-filled dinners shared with his artist friends. Today, the walls of the dining room are adorned with original works dedicated to Emilio and Milvia, making a meal here feel like dining inside a private gallery.
The restaurant is now run by the next generation: brothers Danilo, Roberto, and Osvaldo. They have preserved the spirit of their parents’ creation while earning prestigious recognition. Emilio was awarded a Michelin star in 2003 and joined the esteemed JRE (Jeunes Restaurateurs) association in 2005. The restaurant continues to be cited in national and international publications, a testament to its enduring quality.
The menu at Emilio is a celebration of classic cuisine with a strong emphasis on seafood. Antipasti might include a carpaccio of scampi with panzanella and shellfish mayonnaise, or a delicate sole and eggplant flan. For pasta, you can find ravioli filled with scallops in a beetroot dough, or spaghetti with anchovies, capers, and pink prawns. Main courses of fish are offered simply—roasted, steamed, or alla marinara—letting the quality of the ingredient speak for itself. The chef’s tasting menu offers a journey through these flavors, and the wine list, born from decades of relationships with artists and producers, is worth exploring.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
Facebook