Food in Lanciano is down to earth and good. The town lies between mountains and sea, and the cooking reflects both: lamb, pasta and cheese from inland, fish from the coast. This overview helps you pick the right kind of place for each occasion.
Types of places
- Trattoria and osteria: family-run places serving regional food, mostly in the old town and around the Corso.
- Braceria: a grill restaurant, the first choice for arrosticini and grilled meat.
- Agriturismo: farms in the hills that cook with their own produce. There is often a set menu and you need to book.
- Fish restaurant and trabocco: on the coast, about 15 minutes from Lanciano.
- Pizzeria: open in the evening and easy with children.
How a meal is structured
An Italian meal consists of antipasto (starter), primo (pasta or soup), secondo (meat or fish) with a contorno (side dish), and dolce. Nobody expects you to order every course. A starter to share and one primo or secondo is perfectly normal.
What to order
Typical of the area are arrosticini, maccheroni alla chitarra with lamb ragù, the meat-free cheese balls called pallotte cace e ove and, on the coast, the fish stew brodetto. Drink a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with them, or a Cerasuolo in summer. For dessert try bocconotti, small tarts with chocolate and almonds from the neighbouring town of Castel Frentano.
Tips
- Lunch is served from about 12:30 to 14:30, dinner from about 19:30.
- Book ahead at weekends and in August.
- The coperto, a small cover charge, is a normal item on the bill. Tipping is optional.
- Many places close one day a week, often Monday or Tuesday.