Where to eat in Rimini: piadina, fish and inland cooking

In Rimini, a piadina break, a fish dinner and a lunch of Romagna cooking lead to different choices. Dining is spread across the historic centre, Borgo San Giuliano and the seafront; the hills offer oil, wines and hinterland products.

Rimini piadina and cassoni

Rimini piadina corresponds to the “alla Riminese” type of Piadina Romagnola IGP: under the specification, it is soft and flexible, 23 to 30 centimetres in diameter and up to 3 millimetres thick, making it easy to fold around the filling. Ham, Squacquerone di Romagna DOP and rocket are among the best-known combinations. Plain piada also accompanies cured meats, cheeses and fish dishes.

A Romagna piadina folded on a white plate, with ham, cheese and lettuce leaves — Photo by Kobako, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

Cassone is prepared differently: the filling is enclosed in the dough before cooking. Greens are a traditional ingredient, alongside other fillings. Piada and cassone allow a short stop without the need for a full menu.

Poveracce, grilled fish and the Adriatic catch

Poveracce is the Romagna dialect word for clams. They appear in pasta and other first courses and maritime preparations, alongside mantis shrimp, cuttlefish and Adriatic fish. Grilled fish, fried fish and rustida belong to the same tradition, but ingredients and composition vary with the day's menu.

Sea clams in a red colander, with light and dark striped shells — Photo by Albarubescens, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

On the seafront, dining follows the spaces of seaside holidays, and oily fish appears in many grilled preparations.

Fresh pasta and hinterland flavours

Tagliatelle with ragù, cappelletti in broth and passatelli tell the story of inland cooking. Pasta dough, broth and fillings distinguish these dishes, which are not reserved for restaurants outside town. Chargrilled meat, cured meats and cheeses complete the Romagna side of the table.

A plate of cappelletti in broth on a pale tablecloth, with a glass of red wine and a basket of bread — Photo by Cifo Buscemi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Rimini's hills add oil and wines. Sangiovese and Rebola are names to look for on wine lists, while an outing towards Covignano or the hinterland combines a meal with a landscape different from the beach. The excursions from Rimini help with choosing a destination.

Rimini's hills seen from Montecieco, with vineyards, olive trees and harvested fields, and Monte Titano on the horizon — Photo by Annunziata, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic centre, old neighbourhood or seafront

The Vecchia Pescheria area in Piazza Cavour preserves the old market's stone counters and is now an evening destination in the centre. Fish is bought at Mercato Coperto on Via Castelfidardo, described with other food shopping on the shopping in Rimini page.

Freshly rolled piadine on a hot griddle, with a cook's hands and yellow aprons in the background — Photo by Sergio bellavista, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

For a stop between visits and walks, the centre and Borgo San Giuliano, beyond Ponte di Tiberio, allow a stay near the monuments. For a beach day, the seafront avoids a journey inland. Food festivals and neighbourhood activities are collected in Rimini events.