Fano is a seaside town with an extraordinary culinary tradition. With its active fishing port, fresh fish market, and seafood cuisine rooted in centuries of history—eating fish in Fano is an authentic experience, not just a tourist attraction. In this guide, you’ll find the best seafood restaurants in Fano for 2026: where to eat the original Fano-style fish soup, where to find the best fried seafood, and where to enjoy an aperitif with raw seafood.
The Loft Verdemare, just 6 km from the port of Fano, is the perfect base for exploring the local cuisine—a different restaurant every night, then back to the loft to sleep surrounded by greenery.
Fish from Fano: Why It’s Special
Fano has one of the busiest fishing ports on the Adriatic. The fish served in Fano’s restaurants is often caught that very same night—which makes a huge difference in terms of freshness and quality. Redfish, tub gurnard, striped seabream, cuttlefish, mullet, shrimp, and clams: the central Adriatic boasts a rich biodiversity, and Fano’s restaurants showcase it through simple recipes that highlight the ingredients.
Fano-style fish soup
Brodetto is Fano’s signature dish. A simple yet flavorful fish soup made with fresh fish from the Adriatic, onions, tomatoes, and the secret ingredient that sets it apart from all others: white wine vinegar. Every restaurant has its own version, often passed down through generations. You simply must try it.
Where to eat Brodetto Fanese
At the historic harbor
The restaurants overlooking Fano’s old harbor are the most authentic places to enjoy brodetto. The atmosphere is just right—boats moored at the docks, the scent of the sea, and chefs preparing fish that was just unloaded that morning. Moderate prices, high quality, and no compromises on the ingredients.
Along the waterfront
Fano’s waterfront is home to numerous seafood restaurants, ranging from casual to upscale. A view of the sea is guaranteed, and the menu typically varies depending on the catch of the day. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic dinner or an evening with a view.
Must-try dishes in Fano
Assorted fried fish
Fried mixed seafood is the second most popular fish dish in Fano after brodetto. Small fish from the Adriatic—anchovies, squid, red mullet, and shrimp—are fried in hot oil and served crispy. Simple, hearty, and perfect with a glass of Bianchello del Metauro.
Seafood appetizers
Fano is also a great place for raw seafood. Oysters, sea urchins, red prawns, and scallops—served with local extra-virgin olive oil and lemon. An appetizer that truly showcases the quality of the Adriatic Sea.
Spaghetti with clams
Clams from the Adriatic are among the best in Italy. Spaghetti with clams in Fano is almost always made with fresh clams—a first course that never disappoints.
Fano Fish Market
For those who want to cook for themselves—and the Loft Verdemare has a fully equipped kitchen—the Fano fish market is a must-visit. Open early in the morning, it offers the freshest fish at market prices, not restaurant prices. Buying fish in the morning and cooking it in the evening in the loft’s garden is one of the most authentic experiences you can have on vacation in Fano.
Local wines paired with fish
Fano’s seafood cuisine pairs perfectly with white wines from the Marche region. Bianchello del Metauro —produced in the hills of the Metauro Valley, just a few kilometers from Fano—is the local wine par excellence: light, fresh, and slightly bitter, it’s perfect with fish soup and fried seafood. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is the more full-bodied alternative, ideal for raw seafood and seafood pasta dishes.
How to get to the port of Fano from the loft
It’s about 9 km from Loft Verdemare to the port of Fano, a drive of less than 12 minutes. The private parking included with your stay lets you get around easily every evening—dine at a restaurant, head back to the loft, and call it a night.
How to book your stay
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Fish soup, fried seafood, and local wine—Fano’s seafood cuisine is extraordinary. Stay at Loft Verdemare and enjoy it every evening. Book now.