Osteria della Cipolla Rossa

Tonight was a special experience. A journey of sorts. This particular restaurant was featured on Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy. The food was extraordinary. Made with fresh ingredients and of course the famous Tropea onion. Michele, the owner was something of a marvel. His story was heart warming. If I’m being honest as he spoke of his grandparents and their journey it brought tears to my eyes. His story was my story. Tho we live across the ocean the food prepared bridges the gap. We are friends … familia. A beautiful evening.

Michele is a wonderful host, knowledgeable and kind. We truly enjoyed our evening, the food is great and - of course - centered around the cipolla rossa of Tropea. I would recommend this to everyone, make sure to follow the instructions on the website about the reservation.

Our family all agreed - this was a “once in a lifetime” experience - we were hosted by Chef Romy and her husband Michele (a fabulous host!) to enjoy a meal cooked in their kitchen, based on traditional foods historically enjoyed by those living in poverty in Italy. The thing to remember about this experience is that it IS an experience, you are being hosted by a gracious Italian family in their home, and it is delightful. Highly recommend making reservations well in advance, as they only host 2 or 3 tables per evening, and shop that day, cooking a pre-fixe vegetarian meal using only local products and produce which do not require refrigeration or technological equipment. Check their website for information, as I believe they only take reservations via email or phone during certain hours at this time.

The goal of their menu and style is to teach us something about the region, the culture, where the food comes from, the science behind the land and food, and the conditions and history of the people who ate this kind of food many years ago. As they put it, this food experience is “something very simple that takes away form to give substance”.

Waiting for us on the table was a detailed history of the food and region, written very kindly in English for us by Michele, so that we could learn about what was being prepared for us. Much of the menu revolves around the famous sweet red onion of Tropea, which only grows in the sandy soil there (also Michele’s hometown).

While the menu varies day to day, we started with fried onion and herb pancakes, which were stunningly delicious. Then we were served spaghetti with spring onion and chili pepper, followed by Stroncatura, which is a type of pasta made originally from the waste of the pasta making process, which was illegal for many years but now a celebration of the fortitude of the poorest Italians. It was served with chili peppers and breadcrumbs and anchovies. Our last savory course was an Arab Caponata, reflecting the middle eastern influences on the region.

We had tons of fun around the table, enjoying the delicious food while the waves crashed on the beach right next to us, and our host Michele chatted with us and got to know us and our kids.

For dessert, Chef Romy did things with cottage cheese I’ve never imagined! She made a sweet curd out of it, served with a black crumble and almonds, and paired it with a delicious dessert wine. With amaro to finish it all off as a digestif, and some time to enjoy the company with our hosts and grab a picture, it was a perfect evening in all. Such a great and welcoming experience to cap off our time in Campania!

We drove 2 hours just to visit this restaurant, and it was worth it!! Life changing meal that highlights the uniquely sweet Tropean onions and featured in Stanley Tucci’s searching for Italy. More importantly, the story behind the restaurant and owner-chefs Romy and Michele made the experience even more special. Must visit!

This is the reason, why I give “only” 4 Stars if I really like a restaurant: There has to be one star left for those truly memorable places that stay on your mind for good. To me, the Osteria della Cipolla Rossa is one of them. I`m in love with the concept to not offer a menu, and instead serve whatever the season and the daily inspiration brings. I can honestly say that I hardly ever enjoyed food that much. Everything was just perfectly coordinated, so that – even though the food wasn`t fancy – there was a perfect harmony between all the ingredients. In addition, the place is in the center, still quite and cozy.
Since there are not many tables, and are seated only one an evening (this is why they don`t point out a waiting time as criticized in one review), I highly recommend reservations in person.

Restaurants wie “Osteria della Cipolla Rossa” sind der Grund, warum ich „nur“ 4 Sterne vergebe, wenn es mir irgendwo gut gefällt. Manche Orte haben das gewisse Extra, was einem in Erinnerung bleibt und einen weiteren Stern verdient. Ich finde das Konzept großartig, keine Essen à la carte anzubieten, sondern spontan das zu servieren, was die äußeren Umstände und die Inspiration des Tages mit sich bringen. Ich kann aus ganzem Herzen sagen dass ich Essen selten so sehr genossen habe. Alles war perfekt aufeinander abgestimmt. Die Zutaten waren zwar einfach, aber mit einer solchen Raffinesse zubereitet, dass eine absolute Harmonie entstanden ist. Auch der Ort selbst ist sehr schön – zentral, aber doch ruhig und gemütlich.
Es gibt nur wenige Tische, und diese werden nur einmal pro Abend vergeben (das ist auch der Grund, warum man keine Wartezeit angeboten bekommt, was in einer Bewertung kritisiert wurde). Spontan einen Tisch zu bekommen ist daher sehr schwierig. Ich empfehle, persönlich vorbeizugehen und den Chef nach Verfügbarkeiten zu fragen.

Michele and Romana have a hidden gem in this restaurant serving local, seasonal and traditional food. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Enthusiasm and passion reign.

Spent a week in Tropea and tried many great restaurants, but Osteria della Cipolla Rossa was the most unique experience and most authentic food. Make sure you make reservation to avoid disappointing. It was so yummy! We also had delicious appetiser, pasta with anchovies and spatula (fish) rolls, lots of wine and super tasty dessert

You can taste the local food on the tropea and the staff is very friendly. The food is also so good and I was visit every day for 3 days.

Absolutely incredible. Romy's food is prepared with such care and is both simple and utterly nuanced. I will always remember eating the pasta with prawns essence of anchovy hearing the waves breaking gently in front of me. Romy's husband Michele is the ultimate host, funny, friendly, generous and knowledgable. If you get the opportunity to eat at this tiny Osteria you will not regret it. Grazie mille Romy and Michele.

We went to the Osteria Cipolla Rossa back in the September this year for a birthday celebration. It was a fantastic experience, we were a group of 7 people and the catering was impeccable. The food was superb and the service was delighful, he explained each dish (perfectly in both english and italian!) to us and its origins, how it relates to the story of Tropea and Calabria. Food was delicate, full of flavour and with all regional ingredients. The decor is modest but the seats are outside in a quiet corner of Tropea and are really picturesque. I highly reccomend going, it's very reasonably priced and trust the reccomendations given by the owner! They also catered for allergies and were very attentive and prompt in bringing food to my brother (who is disabled and can be a bit fussy with food). So all in all a fantastic experience, thank you so much!

Beautiful restaurant with authentic food and very nice service. There were only two meals per course to choose from. We ordered both of them and all have been very tasteful. Contrary to most restaurants in Tropea, fortunately this one is not that touristy. We had a delicious meal and felt very comfortable. Thanks to owner Michael and his wife who is the chef.

This was an amazing experience !
We loved everything , the host was so lovely and so full of passion and the food was amazing ! Super interesting concept and we can only recommend to book a table at Michele and Romys place ! Thanks for this fantastic evening !

Molto bene!
What a wonderful place in the middle of Tropea! We went here for dinner and already knew that they are not having a menu where you can choose from but this was exactly what we wanted! We can recommend it to everybody who wants to taste the real calabria food without any tourist feeling. :)
Antipasti was delicious and also the pasta was very good.
We will come back!

If you are looking for a genuine, traditional and delicious meal with impeccable service look no further. The owner, Michele, is truly one of a kind. He takes his job with incredible passion and humbly delivers a world class meal every time by taking fresh ingredients the same morning and creating a new menu for every dinner. I was in Tropea two nights and decided to eat there both nights along with a few other customers I met the first night. I am an Italian immigrant that moved to Canada and I can firmly say that it is places like these that make me really proud to come from such a special country. Complimenti a Michele e a tutto il bravissimo staff!

After 5 days in Tropea.. It is definitely the best restaurant in town... No menu.. Every thing will be explained . Best products... Original food from Calabria ... Let you surprise.. The guy is an artist.. The price is good.., 40 €.. Best place..

During our visit to Tropea we visites several restaurants, none of them are bad But this place is outstanding!
Pure local dishes with typical local flavours and a personal touch from the Owner (with his wife in the Kitchen)
A superb menu of three courses, accompanoed with (also) a local but right paires wine.
I World say to Michael (the owner)... keep iT Up and keep them served.

You Must Make a reservation (we did that via FB-chat) as the restaurant has only 34 Seats on 8 tables...
But iT was worth iT!

Very central yet a bit of a hidden gem. Very small menu but high quality.

Thanks Michele and family. Your restaurant was a highlight of our time in Italy. We loved the food, setting and your hospitality. Grazie mille!

I would describe the food, the wine, the service and the ambience the same: simple, honest, delicate and just on point!
It was perfect! Grazie Mille!

Absolute amazing introduction to la cucina povera in what is truly a hidden gem (how can something as 'simple' as local beans taste this good?!) - go find out yourself right away!