Attico sul Mare

The story

Attico sul Mare – Michelin Recommended Italian Contemporary in Grottammare, Riviera delle Palme

Suspended between sea and sky

On the terrace of Palazzo Kursaal in Grottammare, a few steps from San Benedetto del Tronto, Attico sul Mare occupies a space that feels as though it floats above the Riviera delle Palme. The view is the first course: the Adriatic stretching out, the coast of the Marche region laid bare. The restaurant’s own words capture it best: “uno spazio sospeso tra cielo e mare, dove il tempo sembra rallentare per lasciare spazio alle emozioni.” This is a place where the sea is not an ingredient but a memory, an emotion, a belonging.

A family affair, an evolving tradition

The restaurant is run by siblings Sara and Simone Marconi, who have been in hospitality for over twenty years. They are also ambassadors for NOIDISALA, a network of Marche-based quality restaurants. In the kitchen, Chef Mirko Lucidi leads a tight-knit brigade, translating the territory into plates that are both respectful and inventive. The 2025 menu, marking eighteen years of Attico sul Mare, is described as “tradizione evoluta” – an evolved tradition that honours the past while embracing creativity and sustainability. The source of that tradition is local: fish caught with care, wild herbs, vegetables from their own Hortus garden between Cupra Marittima and Massignano, and animals raised with attention.

What to expect

The kitchen offers a choice between two tasting menus or a full à la carte that includes vegetarian, meat, and seafood dishes. The cooking is Italian Contemporary in style, but the heart is firmly in the Adriatic. A line from the team says it best: “La cucina per noi non è mai solo tecnica o esibizione: è rispetto, identità, convivialità… è fare la scarpetta senza vergogna.” Expect dishes that change with the seasons and the catch, always built on exceptional local raw materials. The wine list, curated by Sara, is described as a sensory accomplice – simple in its complexity, with a strong focus on Italian and Mediterranean bottles.

A Michelin-recognised destination

Attico sul Mare holds a Michelin Recommended distinction, a recognition that aligns with its philosophy of elevating the local without pretension. The restaurant also functions as a cultural and event space, hosting private dinners and gatherings on its terrace. Whether for lunch, dinner, or a glass of wine on the terrace, the experience is one of warmth, precision, and a deep sense of place. The only thing that slows down here is time.