Where to eat in Carrara: lardo di Colonnata and quarry-town cuisine
Carrara's cuisine takes its name from its most famous hamlet, Colonnata, but goes beyond lardo: here's where to try it between town and quarries.
Sailko, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
The dish most closely linked to Carrara is lardo di Colonnata: pork lard cured in marble basins with salt, garlic and spices, produced exclusively in the quarry hamlet that gives it its name. Climbing up to Colonnata to try it straight from the curing cellars, often served on warm bread, is one of the area's most distinctive food experiences.
In town, the historic centre around Piazza Alberica offers classic Tuscan trattorias, with chestnut-flour first courses and hearty dishes designed for quarry workers. Marina di Carrara, on the coast, leans instead towards seafood, with restaurants facing the promenade. As Carrara sees far less mass tourism than other Tuscan cities, prices generally stay more accessible.
Practical info
When's the best time to go to Carrara?
We recommend April, May, June, September and October, the period with the smallest crowds.
How touristy is Carrara?
Carrara is very quiet compared to the more visited destinations.
What's the location of Carrara?
Carrara is found in the area of Tuscany.
Part of the complete guide
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Sarzana ~11 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto internazionale Galileo Galilei PSA ~50 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
