Gaeta is a fishing town on the coast between Rome and Naples, and almost everything it puts on a plate comes out of the water in front of it. This is a guide to the best restaurants in Gaeta.
It is a working port before it is a resort, and that shows in the cooking more than in anything else.
In this article, we will explore the various restaurants in Gaeta, a journey that combines the authentic flavours of the sea and the land, where each dish tells a story made of passion and culture.
Gaeta is a seaside town, and its seafood restaurants They prove it with every bite. Restaurants offering seafood cuisine are famous for the freshness of their catch, with recipes that enhance the flavours of the Mediterranean.
Whether you are looking for traditional dishes or modern culinary experiences, here are some of the best seafood restaurants in Gaeta not to be missed.
Historic restaurants: tradition and authenticity
Let's start with the historic restaurants, true temples of taste, where recipes are handed down from generation to generation. Here you can savour iconic dishes like spaghetti with Manila clams or a delicious fish soup prepared with the catch of the day.
These restaurants don’t just serve food; they offer an experience steeped in the sea and tradition, as if every dish were a tribute to Gaeta’s maritime culture.
Modern restaurants: innovation and refinement
If you are a lover of more creative cuisine, you cannot miss Gaeta's modern restaurants, which reinterpret tradition with new flavours, a bit like Waves.
These venues reinterpret fish in a modern way, with surprising combinations and innovative techniques.
Here you will find raw fish dishes, tuna tartare with exotic touches, and dishes that blend the essence of the sea with unexpected ingredients. Every bite is a surprise, and the refined atmosphere makes the experience unforgettable.
The importance of fresh fish and seafood
Many people restaurants in Gaeta, the freshness of the catch is the main ingredient. The best restaurants buy at the Formia auction, a few kilometres along the coast, where every morning at dawn the night's catch is auctioned off.
The freshness is reflected in simple yet tasty dishes, such as grilled fish served with local olive oil and a squeeze of lemon, or a plate of raw seafood that smells of the sea.
Best steak restaurants in Gaeta: the art of taste

Although Gaeta is best known for its seafood dishes, the town also offers an extraordinary selection of restaurants specialising in meat.
If you prefer the rich flavour of meat, you won’t be disappointed. The steak restaurants in Gaeta serve up succulent dishes, with particular care taken in the selection and preparation of the cuts.
For this reason, we invite you to consult the our menu.
Meat specialists: premium cuts and refined techniques
The best steak restaurants in Gaeta They offer premium cuts, such as the Fiorentina steak, beef fillet or roast suckling pig.
It is the care taken in their preparation that makes these dishes unforgettable.
Like us at Waves, many restaurants pay particular attention to the ageing of meat, a process that makes the meat tender and flavourful, bringing out every nuance of its flavour.
Once at the table, you can enjoy a juicy sliced beef steak, accompanied by seasonal vegetables or a glass of local red wine.
The best restaurants in Gaeta and our Waves
Choose one of the best restaurants in Gaeta means discovering not only the taste, but also the soul of this city.
Whether you choose a fish or meat restaurant, every meal will take you on a journey through the history and culinary culture of Gaeta. Amidst authentic flavours and enchanting atmospheres, exploring the restaurants of Gaeta is an experience that goes beyond the simple pleasure of food: it is a celebration of life, of the sea, and of the land.
Discover Waves and immerse yourself in our culinary experience!
There is a dedicated in-depth feature on seafood cuisine: from the Formia fish auction to the plate, featuring raw dishes and low-temperature cooking by Raffaele Lenti. You can find it in the guide to seafood restaurant in Gaeta.
Insights: the seafood restaurant in Gaeta and the catch from the Formia auction, the Josper charcoal-grilled meat, the tiella of Gaeta and the menu.