Lo Scoglio da Tommaso

Tommaso De Simone founded Lo Scoglio in 1958, and the third generation of his family runs it now, with one of them in the dining room and another in the kitchen. Much of what you eat comes from the family’s own farm on the hill above the bay: tomatoes, courgettes, lemons, artichokes and eggs.

It also has a few sea-view rooms, and appeared in Stanley Tucci’s television series Searching for Italy.

This is the place to eat spaghetti alla Nerano, the local dish of fried courgettes, Provolone del Monaco and basil. Sea urchin pasta, raw fish and the catch of the day are the other favourites, along with the house gnocchi with courgette flowers, clams and bottarga.

Vegetables from the farm are cooked simply, often sautéed in a big copper pan and brought to the table to share. Leave time for a long lunch: the water below the deck is clear, and the tender will wait.

Yachts anchor or take a buoy in the bay of Nerano, off Marina del Cantone, and guests come ashore by tender to the restaurant’s own landing.

The season runs from spring to autumn. In July and August, book ahead by phone or email, and mention that you will arrive by boat.