The tiny country of San Marino, which is the fifth smallest in the world, has a cuisine that reflects centuries of history and a unique cultural identity. Food here is Mediterranean and focuses on locally grown and fresh produce. You might find it similar to the bordering Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, unsurprising, as it’s surrounded by Italy. You can expect similar but different dishes. They’re hearty, with rustic flavors, and there are lots of opportunities to enjoy decent food throughout the old town area. Here’s my guide on what to eat in San Marino.
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Food and meals are an important part of life in San Marino. The cuisine is Mediterranean, emphasizing fresh and locally grown produce, pasta, and meat. Although it is similar to that of the Italian Romagna region, which borders San Marino, the cuisine of San Marino features its own typical dishes. For independent travelers, eating in San Marino is relatively affordable and accessible. Pick a hotel that includes breakfast if you’re staying over. I recommend the Hotel Joli, just on the edge of the old town. There’s more on traveling independently to San Marino in my guide here.
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Menus with traditional dishes are usually family-run, giving meals a personal touch. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the must-try foods and drinks of San Marino and point you towards what to look out for when you’re here. Now. Are you ready? Here’s what to eat in San Marino.
The consortium of the Terra di San Marino brings together local cooperatives and small producers to protect and enhance rural traditions – and you’ll find meat, cheese, wine, oil, cereals, and honey produced and made locally.
What to Eat in San Marino
Of course, you can eat other dishes, but here are the things to eat in San Marino that focus on the specialties of the area.
Tagliere
If you’re looking for a starter to share, or just a light meal, then go for a tagliere. It’s a sharing board of cured meats, cheeses, and breads. In San Marino, you’ll often see prosciutto, salami, pecorino, and local soft cheeses served with piadina or rustic bread. It’s a great way to start a meal, or snack if you’re not too hungry. If you’ve got just one day in San Marino, this is the perfect way to check out some of the local produce.
Piadina
Thin flatbread is popular both here and in Emilia Romagna. It’s prepared in a way that’s similar to the Italian version, but it is a little thicker. The dough is made traditionally with flour, pork lard, and water. Here it’s served warm with cured meats and/or cheese and salad. It’s easy to eat and a quick and filling lunchtime snack. The traditional filling is classic stracchino, arugula, and prosciutto crudo. As you’re exploring San Marino you’ll find plenty of places to pick up a piadina. For ideas on what to see and do in San Marino, check out my guide here
Passatelli
Passatelli is a rustic pasta dish made with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and eggs. Passatelli is cooked in broth and has a Moorish and comforting texture. The best place to try it is in the local trattorias.
Strozapreti Pasta
This homemade pasta is made with flour, salt, and water and is served with cheese and meat sauce.
Rabbit Stew
Slow-cooked rabbit with herbs, white wine, and vegetables is a traditional main course here. It’s hearty, tender, and typically served with polenta or bread to soak up the sauce. Be wary of the bones that you’re likely to find in this dish.
Seafood
Even though San Marino is landlocked, the Adriatic coast is only 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) away, so seafood is common on local menus. Expect dishes like grilled fish, seafood risotto, or pasta with clams, all reflecting the influence of nearby Rimini.
Cheese from San Marino
Pecorino is the star cheese here. It’s often aged in caves to intensify its flavor, but you’ll also find fresh local cheeses served on tagliere boards or melted into piadina flat breads. You’ll find fresh cheese like Casatella, Caciotta, and Nuvoletta made locally, and Campagnola, Noce, and Fossa, which are aged.
Torta Tre Monti
This layered wafer cake with hazelnut cream and chocolate is San Marino’s signature dessert. It’s both a sweet treat and a symbol of the republic, named after its three towers. It’s made by hand at La Serenissima, a cake factory in San Marino. You can find it in cafés and packaged to take home. There are large round wafers filled with chocolate and hazelnut cream, then they’re topped with dark chocolate. The recipe has been in use since 1942!
Bustrengo
Traditionally only available at Christmas, this cake is made with nuts, honey, and dried fruit. You’ll likely find it packaged in the souvenir shops. It also includes breadcrumbs or cornmeal.
Cacciatello
You’ll find similarities to crème caramel in this dish, which is made with sugar, milk, and eggs.
Verretta
This is another dish inspired by the traditions of San Marino – it takes its name from one of the arrows used by the Crossbowmen, the oldest military group in San Marino, who date back to the 14th century, a force to protect the city and public order. The dish has pralines, hazelnuts, and chocolate-covered wafer pieces.
Zuppa di Ciliegie
The cherries in this dessert are stewed in sweetened red wine, and it’s served wrapped in white bread.
What to Drink in San Marino
San Marino produces its own wine – a strong red Sangiovese and a dry white Biancale are the most common. For after-dinner digestifs, try the Tilus, a walnut liqueur drink, or the Duca di Guelfo, made with herbs.
Where to Eat in San Marino
Most of the traditional dishes can be found in the restaurants inside the historic center. Look for family-owned trattorias where menus highlight local recipes. Cafés around Piazza della Libertà are good for a light snack or coffee, while restaurants along the walls pair food with stunning views. The best value is in the set meals, which focus on good, hearty meals including local specialties.
SANMARINO TRAVEL RESOURCES
TAXI & TRANSFERS
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HOTELS AND APARTMENTS
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Rooms with a view? Budget rooms? Need a washing machine? The best choice of hotels & apartments.
TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
Most excursion choices, small group tours, skip-line tickets, free cancellation and top local guides.
Top options here.
CAR RENTAL OPTIONS
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Best choice of vehicles, automatics, large or small cars, child seats. Book early for more options.
Final Words on What to Eat in San Marino
Food is an essential part of the San Marino experience. From rustic passatelli to indulgent torta tre monti, every dish ties back to the republic’s traditions and its ties with neighboring Italy. Eating here isn’t just about filling up between sights — it’s about tasting the culture itself. If you only have one day, share a tagliere, try a pasta dish like passatelli, and finish with torta tre monti. If you’ve got more time, dive into rabbit stew, sample seafood from the coast, and try each and every one of the desserts.
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