The secret to a perfect journey lies in the perfect combination of history, nature, and good food: that’s why Liguria is the perfect destination for a bike trip.

Experiencing an authentic experience in contact with some of the most beautiful natural locations in Italy, such as the Gulf of Poets and the Cinque Terre, is an opportunity not to be missed, especially if you can relax and refresh yourself while tasting the best dishes of local culinary tradition.

Here is what to eat in Liguria to discover the true soul of this wonderful territory.

What to eat in Liguria between tradition and innovation

Liguria is a region that offers simple dishes, but full of taste and flavor, thanks to the selection of high-quality raw materials. Here are 10 dishes to try at least once, perfect to refresh yourself after a long day of biking in contact with the beauty of nature:

1. to start with a tasty aperitif, the Genoese focaccia is a riot of flavor. It is a flat bread made of flour, oil, salt, yeast, and water that is then seasoned in different ways. The classic one is only with oil and coarse salt on the surface, but then there is the one with olives, cherry tomatoes, onions and the most famous one which is with Recco cheese;
2. another alternative, very much appreciated by both locals and tourists, is the farinata, a very thin savory cake made from a dough of water, flour, oil, and salt, then baked in the oven. The most famous variant is the one with chickpeas;
3. after the aperitifs, let's continue with one of the most typical dishes: the Genoese trofie. To the question what to eat in Liguria, one cannot reply without mentioning Genoese pesto, which is a sauce based on basil, pine nuts, garlic, oil, pecorino, and parmesan. Perhaps some people don't know, but pesto is not only used as a sauce for a first course, but also as a companion sauce for focaccia and bread;
4. another first course that is very successful are the ravioli stuffed with borage, a wild herb with a slightly bitter taste, dressed with butter and cheese;
5. for lovers of fine pastas, don’t miss the battolli, a long pasta made with chestnut flour, tender wheat flour, and eggs. You can dress them with Genoese pesto, or with a vegetable sauce;
6. moving on to the second courses, continue with an unmissable cult of Ligurian cuisine: the stuffed anchovies. What does it consist of? They are anchovy fillets with a vegetable filling, which varies according to the season: they are usually breaded or floured and then baked or fried, a delight for gourmets;
7. for fish lovers another dish to taste is the “Bagnum”, a soup with few ingredients, mainly anchovies, that are cooked together with a sauté of onions, tomatoes, and olive oil, and accompanied by croutons;
8. at the end of the meal it is impossible to resist a good dessert and a must-have is coffee semifreddo. The name Panera means “black cream”, as coffee is added to the cream: it can also be found as an ice cream flavor;
9. another typical dessert is the Canestrelli biscuits which are made from shortcrust pastry and can be flavored with vanilla, anise or bitter cocoa;
10. finally, the Pandolce is the Genoese panettone, which is eaten especially during the Christmas period and the dough is made from flour, butter, yeast, raisins, pine nuts, almonds, and candied fruit.

After this culinary journey to discover what to eat in Liguria, how about leaving with us for a bike trip in this splendid region? On Cyclando you will find many proposals for a weekend in Liguria with your group!