La Balena - Osteria di Mare
+39 0872 609201+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Tue
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Wed
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Thu
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Fri
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Sat
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm8:00 pm - 12:00 am
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.0
Travellers' Choice 2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
PRICE RANGE
₹2,326.00 – ₹3,536.00
CUISINES
Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, Soups
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
meals, features
Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
PRICE RANGE
₹2,326.00 – ₹3,536.00
CUISINES
Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, Soups
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.0
816 reviews
Excellent
421
Very good
194
Average
103
Poor
56
Terrible
42
drgrun
Sydney321 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
I wish we had found this earlier as we would have eaten there more often. Gorgeous, informal, authentic seafood restaurant. Sit on the terrace overlooking the sea and Trabocchi. Food was simple and fabulous and the wine the same. We had lunch here and it was so pretty.
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jochen B
Neckargemund20 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
We were a group of six and had a lunch early July. The service was very friendly and attentive, the (sea)food (menu suggestion for the day) very good. We'll be back!!!
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emyr1
Berkhamsted518 contributions
May 2019 • couples
We used to come here but not for a while, trying the other very good restaurants nearby. We’re very glad we went back last week during the local festival of the sea when there was a special menu. It was truly wonderful: highly recommended at anytime even if that menu (till June 9 2019) isn’t there. My wife chose from the a la carte menu which was excellent too.
Written 2 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin K
Weybridge48 contributions
Aug 2018 • couples
Amazing location overlooking the sea and nearby trabocco. Fantastic food but arrive early for parking! Pre-booking essential.
Written 7 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmdf
Dear Martin,
many thanks for Your review !
All the best !!
Written 8 September 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GianLuca M
Rome4 contributions
Oct 2017 • family
5 full stars for this classy, still informal and authentic seafood restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Costa dei Trabocchi. I live in Rome and look forward everytime I’m in Abruzzo to dine at La Balena. It's the best place I know in the area if you want to taste a genuine and traditional Abruzzese cuisine. They surprise me everytime I go there as they update the menu often and with fine knowledge. The chef is always passionate about traditional food, combined with some subtle creativity and a tasteful presentation of the dishes, which you'll find satisfying just by looking at them. The waiters are always kind and caring. If you want to spend a pleasing lunch or dinner, also enjoying a beautiful view, while you have some of the finest culinary specialties of the Coast, I sincerely recommend looking no further. Dine at La Balena and then thank me for the advice.
Written 23 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
Great Gianluca,
God bless U!!
Happy Xmas !!!!
Written 24 December 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard D
New York City173 contributions
Sept 2017 • couples
Good local fish, well prepared. Service was attentive. Local white wines such as Pecorino were offered. Good value.
Written 11 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmdf
Dear Richard,
many thanks for Your review!
We hope to see You again asap ...
Ciao !!
La Balena
Written 25 October 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CAMEX
Kalamaria110 contributions
Jul 2017 • family
Exceptional plates, amazing, top level fish food creations..a place that all fish food lovers should visit..very professional management and staff..
Written 1 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmdf
Dear Friend,
many thanks for You visit and for the great review !
We hope to see You soon at La Balena !!
Ciao !!
Written 4 August 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
karin022
Nijmegen6 contributions
Apr 2017 • family
We had lunch outside, overlooking a traboccho and the sea, great! Nice white house wine, pasta nero e vongole just perfect!
Written 5 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mmdf
Dear Karin,
many thanks for Your visit & review ...!
Yours sincerely !
La Balena
Written 7 May 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ed1304
Castel Frentano113 contributions
Sept 2016 • none
La Balena is one of my favourite restaurants in the area. It's one of our special places my wife and I go to every so often to cheer ourselves up. Eating outside on a warm Summer's evening overlooking a traboccho sitting in the Adriatic is just magical. It's not cheap by Abruzzese standards ( we paid just over €50 each last time including wine, water and coffee ) but it is worth it.
Everybody always seems welcoming and the service throughout the evening was pleasantly friendly, alway efficient and never obtrusive. The food however, is great. My wife started with an insalata di mare which seemed plentiful and attractively presented, whilst I tried the carpaccio di tonno con tartuffo. This was a combination I would never have thought of but it was one of the best dishes I have ever tried. For the primi I had the seafood pasta triangles which was pleasant because the sauce was subtle enough to compliment the fish and enhance the flavour and I felt the quantity was just about perfect. Enough so that felt you had eaten a pasta course but not so much that you would struggle to finish your secondo.
For our secondi Linda chose the fish spiedoni whilst I had the rombo. I have had the rombo before and was absolutely blown away by it. Firstly, because it was huge and it was cooked to perfection. This time I felt that it was just a little bit overdone. Linda felt the same about her spiedoni. Mine was still good, I would have just preferred it to be a fraction less cooked. By this time Linda's resolve was weakening and she gave to temptation when a waitress suggested a dolci. I'm not sure exactly what it was although I would guess it involved chocolate. I know she enjoyed it because she closed her eyes every time she took a spoonful, made a little appreciative noise and refused to let me try any of it.
We finished off a lovely relaxing evening with coffee whilst still staring over a moonlit sea and headed for home feeling full without feeling we had eaten too much. It seemed to me a pretty well balanced meal.
I would recommend you try this restaurant. I am sure you will have as pleasant an evening as we always do
Written 18 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
Hi !
many thanks for Your review !!
We are very pleased that You enjoyed Your Balena dinner, thanks to the moon of course... !
You are very nice friends and we hope that You go on and on feeling well in our small joint.
Sorry for the inconveniences...
See next time !!
La Balena
Written 19 September 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emyr1
Berkhamsted518 contributions
Aug 2016 • friends
La Balena never fails to deliver very good food, always totally appropriate to it's beautiful, light, seashore setting. The local high quality Rocca San Giovanni wine also matches perfectly.
Written 27 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
Dear Emyr1,
many thanks for Your nice words !
We hope to see You very soon.
Bye !!
La Balena
Written 29 August 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Callimaco55
102 contributions
Aug 2016 • family
What you don't expect from outside.
First of all the menù with only 2 pages and limited choices as should be for serving fresh food and express cooking
A mix of traditional cuisine like famous 'Brodetto' ( local fish and shellfish soup )modern food like carpaccio and raw squid in sea water.
The list of local wines is limited but very adequate to any need.
The service is extremely kind with the typical low profile and quiet approach of Abbruzzo people.
Price very honest about 40 euro for appetizer , main course and a couple of bottles of wine. If the weather allow best to seat outside in the balcony.
Definitely we will come back.
Written 17 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
Dear Callimaco,
many thanks for Your review !
We are happy that You enjoyed our Brodetto...
Sorry for the cellar: we do our best with the small room that the restaurant has, but we are sure that You could find a good bottle ...
We hope to see You soon !!
Bye !!
La Balena
Written 20 August 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emyr1
Berkhamsted518 contributions
Aug 2015 • couples
This was our fourth visit here and it was a great experience again, overlooking the sea and the rickety traditional wooden fishing piers. The food and very local wine's of the highest standard - the five course fixed menu with prosecco is outstandingly good.
Written 21 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
Dear Emyr1,
many thanks for Your rewiew and for being our valued customer.
We hope to see You very soon for the fifth time...
Bye !
La Balena
Written 23 August 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
PeterRuth-KentUK
14 contributions
May 2015 • couples
This restaurant was a great find as we were driving along the Adriatica. Lovely view and setting, some off road parking, proper "restaurant", nice decoration and tables, good fish menu, simply cooked but excellant. Good portions and extensive wine list. Prices are on the medium / high side. Allowed us to bring our small dog into restaurant and great bonus, NO T V blaring, just nice blues & jazz playing.overal very good and we will visit again soon!
Written 17 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
Dear Peter & Ruth,
thank You for Your kind words.
We will be happy to see You again at La Balena.
Best regards
La Balena
Written 18 May 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sessoriana
Eastbourne194 contributions
Sept 2014 • family
Called in here while en-route along the coast. The premises are on the main coast road but this is not an issue once inside. The restaurant and terrace are set above the beach with lovely views which include a nearby Trabucco. The menu had a nice selection of both seafood and fish. We had a simple lunch of two primi courses and very nice white wine by the glass, plus a delicious salad. Lovely bread. Both dishes well cooked and nicely presented, and from what we could see going to other tables this was true of other dishes too - well the presentation that is! Mix of visitors and locals. The restaurant is certainly beautiful by day, and in the evening nice for a romantic meal for two or a meal with friends. We found the service very pleasant, quite suitable for this nicely presented and elegant Osteria. The charming owner who appeared later made a point of saying a courteous hello to all who were lunching and in doing so reflected the simple elegance of his establishment. We shall certainly return and can recommend. Grazie!
Written 27 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
Many thanks for Your nice words.
We really hope to see You soon !
Bye !!
LB
Written 28 September 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
fegusoc
33 contributions
Aug 2014 • friends
Great view. Okay service. Food was so so but expensive. "Scampi with avocado and salsa" was a watery avocado paste. Ext to five over cooked shrimp. Tuna on the grill was huge but really had no taste. Service was fine. Wine was good.
Written 18 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labalena
We are very sorry that You didn't appreciate our food.
Just we would like to explain that our menù has shrimps with avocado sauce, not with avocado and sauce...
Best wishes !
LB
Written 20 August 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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