The towns of Fano, Torrette and Marotta, along a twenty kilometre stretch of coastline, hold the gastronomic secrets of fish cuisine which have been developed over time into a rich art. Experienced cooks, as well as those who simply enjoy good food, have learned how to transform fish into dishes which are true culinary masterpieces.
The Adriatic sea is one of the richest areas for fishing, history and culture and those who fish its waters know how to make the most of the opportunities of all that the sea has to offer. It is therefore no surprise that fish is the main element in the gastronomic tradition of the province and that hundreds of restaurants provide an infinite number of ways to prepare it. Brodetti alla marinara (a variety of different fish cooked in broth), tender frutti di mare (in particular vongole (sea clams) and mitili (mussels) but also lumachine (sea snails) and 'garagoi'), seppie (squid), merluzzi (hake), sgombri (mackerel), sogliole (Adriatic sole), cannocchie (razor clams) and 'trufelli', fish which is pan-fried, grilled, or roasted in paper, in pastry or even in crusted salted - there are so many fish specialities available, all served with that gentle but decisive local wine.
Bianchello del Metauro. If you enjoy fish then Fano and the Adriatic river certainly won't disappoint you; but if you have yet to discover its delights then prepare yourself for a great gastronomic experience.

Wines from the hills around Fano and the Province of Pesaro and Urbino are much prized and sought after by gourmets throughout the world. The gentle hilly countryside overlooking the Metauro valley provides fertile terrain for fine quality grapes and the local people have prized their aphrodisiac qualities for centuries.
Grapes were grown in this area as long ago as the 8^th-10^th Century BC by Etruscan tribes who understood the potential of the landscape, the mildness of its climate and the variety of micro-climates most favourable to this rich variety of grape.
A passion for wine-growing developed over time and has led to the production of a number of excellent wines which are now classified with the label "Denominazione di Origine Controllata".
Around the province of Pesaro and Urbino you can find the following particular DOC classified wines: "Bianchello del Metauro", "Colli Pesaresi Rosso" (including the DOC "Focara" wine), "Colli Pesaresi Bianco" (including the DOC "Roncaglia" wine) and "Novello dei Colli Pesaresi".
Wine production not just in the province but throughout the whole region has brought an increasing recognition of the quality and potential of Marche wine. Today, the region is able to offer competitive wines at international level whose genuine quality satisfies even the most demanding and refined palates.

Travel a few kilometres along the via Flaminia from Fano and you reach Acqualagna, capital of the truffle (along with Sant'Angelo in Vado and Sant'Agata Feltria).
The truffle, with its magic (and some say even aphrodisiac) aroma, is one of the world's great culinary ingredients and the finest gourmets are prepared to go to any lengths to enjoy its exquisite taste.
All nine varieties of edible truffle can be found in our province so that throughout the year it is possible to find this rare underground fungus for the table.
All those who enjoy their food will be sure to make a note on their calendar that the tartufo bianco pregiato (white truffle), which prefers cooler, humid terrain, is gathered between October and the end of December, the tartufo nero pregiato (black truffle) between December and mid-March, the tartufo nero d'estate or scorzone (summer truffle) from May to August, the tartufo nero uncinato or scorzone invernale (winter truffle) from October to December and the bianchetto or marzuolo (found on limestone or clay soil but also on sandy saline soil) from January to April.
Each type of truffle has its own particular culinary use - on toasted bread crostini or thinly sliced over soups and pasta, lightly cooked in veal, beef or pork dishes, grated or lightly cooked in a creamy sauce. But its unmistakable taste serves a single purpose. Our recipe suggestions give you an opportunity to try it yourself.

Over the years, time and history have shown the hills just outside Fano to be particularly suited the growing of olives. The high number of olive presses still operating in the area hark back to days gone by. The first official records of olive oil production in this area date from the period of the Papal States when these inland hills were among the best known olive areas, prized even by the religious authorities. At that time the ownership of olive groves was an indication of the relative power and standing of each family. Olive oil was a measure of prosperity and its production was a key factor in the economy of each village. The frantoio was not just a place for pressing olives to extract the oil but also a meeting place and centre of village social life, a place for discussing life and politics and concluding business deals.
At Cartoceto olive growing has always been a characteristic feature of the landscape. Here, olive presses are still in operation and their excellent quality extra virgin olive oil is renowned at international level.
The beneficial qualities of a good olive oil are well known. Among other things, it protects the body by neutralising its uncharged molecules, it balances the body from the nutritional point of view, withstands frying temperature better than other oils, aids digestion and assists the body to absorb calcium. The olive oil from Cartoceto has been shown to have all of the qualities usually found in extra virgin olive oil and its unmistakable flavour makes even a simple slice of toasted bread irresistible.

On a visit to Fano you can enjoy not only the finest quality fish but also visit nearby inland towns to taste some of the finest country gastronomy. Among the many specialities are a number of cheeses, of which the finest is without doubt the famous golden Formaggio di Fossa, matured in underground caves of tufa stone, whose strong intoxicating aroma fills the air.
It is to be found in the north of the province at Talamello, in the Val Marecchia, but also a few kilometres away from Fano in the village of Cartoceto.
The famous tufa stone "caves" are covered with a bed of straw, closed with wooden lids and sealed with gesso. The cheese is left to season there in the darkness for months, wrapped in sacks of hemp. By the time it once again sees the light of day and is taken out of the caves in a ritual which is well worth experiencing, it has been transformed into a magnificent culinary delicacy used in a variety of dishes from soups to dessert.

Casciotta di Urbino is also worthy of mention. It has been made since the 16^th century (even Michelangelo had a weakness for it) and made with sheep and cow milk produced by Sardinian and Apennine cattle. In 1996 it was classified with the European Union D.O.P. label.

Pecorino cheese is a very versatile ingredient and can be conserved in a hundred different ways.
The tourist travelling through the countryside will find the fine Pecorino con le Vinacce (sheep cheese matured in grape skins removed from wine during fermentation). There is a curious story about how it came to be made quite by chance during the mid 19^th Century when an infamous band of local brigands, followers of a certain Terenzio Grossi, hid a hoard of stolen pecorino cheeses among grape skins.
Pecorino di botte is a typical product of the Fano area. It is matured in oak barrels and vats which were once used for making wine and still retain its aroma. Pecorino di botte is wrapped in particular types of foliage and has an unmistakable and delightfully delicate flavour.

FANO RESTAURANTS

Ristorante Albergo Angela. Specialità di Pesce Viale Adriatico, 13 Tel. 0721/801239

Ristorante Al Vecchio Doc. di Palazzi Via Simonetti,9 Tel. 0721/827072

Ristorante alla Lanterna. Str. Stat. Adriatica Sud, 78 Tel. 0721/884178

Trattoria da Pantalin.  Via Flaminia, 492 Tel. 0721/850467

Damiani Ruggero. Viale Adriatico, 1 Tel. 0721/824080

Pizzeria Ristorante da Angelo. Via Cespi, 2 Tel. 0721/864694

Pizzeria Ristorante Mamadera.  viale Adriatico,7 Tel. 0721/826158

Pizzeria Ristorante Napoli Punto a Capo. Viale Cairoli,90 Tel. 0721/803114

Pizzeria Ristorante Silvers. Via del Fiume, 17 Tel. 0721/803389

Ristorante Antica Trattoria del Mare da Maria. Str. Adriatica Sud, 150 Tel. 0721/884084

Pizzeria Ristorante Bella Napoli. Piazza Rosselli, 7 Tel. 0721/826393

Ristorante da Pep. Via garibaldi, 21 Tel. 0721/826458

Pizzeria da Mamma Rosa. Via del Fiume, 18b Tel. 0721/802730

Ristorante Trattoria da Ruscianel. Via Guinizzelli,9 Tel. 0721/863394

Ristorante Baia Marina. Via delle Nasse, Tel. 0721/800398

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Biricocco. Via IX Strada, 48 Bellocchi, Tel. 0721/855578

Ristorante Il Cantuccio. Viale Cairoli, 1 Tel. 0721/829969

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Caminetto. Viale D. Alighieri, 86 Tel. 0721/809651

Ristorante Casa Nolfi. Via Gasparoli, 59 Tel. 0721/827066

Ristorante Cinese la Muraglia. Viale I° Maggio, 9 Tel. 0721/803902

Ristorante Corallo. Via L. da Vinci, 3 Tel. 0721/803637

Ristorante da Sandro il Pescatore. Viale Adriatico, 110 Tel. 0721/800273

Pizzeria Ristorante da Tano. Via Moletto, 13 Tel. 0721/823291

Ristorante Gasperini. Via falcineto, 19 Tel. 0721/850805

Ristorante Il Bragozzo. Via marina Ardizio, 154 Tel. 0721/51353

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Ciclone. Via A. cappellini, 57 Tel. 0721/884580

Ristorante Il Galeone.  P.le Amendola, 2 Tel. 0721/805992

Pizzeria Ristorante Ines. Via Girardengo,4 Tel. 0721/885111

Ristorante l.Antica Trattoria Cerretti. Via S. Andrea in Villis, 2 Tel. 0721/885138

Ristorante la Barca. Via Molo di Ponente, Tel. 0721/808084

Ristorante La Fraschetta. Via Bruno, 13 Tel. 0721/807612

Ristorante La Locanda della Fortuna. Piazza XX Settembre, 5 Tel. 0721/801622

Ristorante La Sardella. V.le Romagna, 60 Tel. 0721/808497

Ristorante La Taverna dei Pescatori. P.le Calafati, 1/2 Tel. 0721/805364

Ristorante La Tratta Maria Angela. Via F.lli Zuccari, 37 Tel. 0721/805465

Ristorante La Vecchia Fano. Via Vecchia,8 Tel. 0721/803493

Ristorante Mocambo. Via F.lli Cairoli, 135 Tel. 0721/803224

Pizzeria Ristorante Orfeo. C.so Matteotti, 5 Tel. 0721/803522

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Gabbiano. Foce Metauro, Tel. 0721/806869

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Gamberone. Str. Adriatica Nord, 3 Tel. 0721/823128

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Pettirosso. Str. Adriatica Nord, 79 Tel. 0721/803080

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Portico. Via Arturo Tosi, 9 Tel. 0721/884016

Pizzeria Ristorante La Barcaccia. Via Bellariva, 3 Tel. 0721/884342

Pizzeria Ristorante La Scogliera. Via Bersaglio, 20 Tel. 0721/808637

Pizzeria Ristorante Locanda 100 Role. Via Monfalcone, 75 Tel. 0721/862714

Ristorante Regina. Carignano Terme, Tel. 0721/885123

Pizzeria Ristorante La Perla. Viale Adriatico, 60 Tel. 0721/825631

Ristorante Self-Service Al Pesce Azzurro. Viale Adriatico, 48 Tel. 0721/803165

Pizzeria Ristorante Iano e Lele. Via Flaminia, 169 Tel. 0721/883261

Pizzeria Ristorante Florida. Via Simonetti, 31 Tel. 0721/823966

Pizzeria Ristorante La tavernetta. Via Nolfi, 67 Tel. 0721/826484

Pizzeria Ristorante Regina Pizza. Carignano Terme, Tel. 0721/885123

Pizzeria Ristorante Mediterraneo. Via Schiavoni, 1/f Tel. 0721/825838

Pizzeria Ristorante Porto Verde. Via Masdcagni, 7/9 Tel. 0721/804704

Pizzeria Ristorante Villamarina. Via Schiavoni, 22 Tel. 0721/808782

Pizzeria Mc Kenzie. P.za Costa, 4 Tel. 0721/809380

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Giardino de Sapori. Viale Adriatico, 134 Tel. 0721/800015

Pizzeria Ristorante Del Porto. Viale Adriatico, 46 Tel. 0721/823558

Pizzeria Agnese Pronto Pizza. Via Negusanti, 5 Tel. 0721/826756

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Gamberone. SS Adriatica Nord, 3 Tel. 0721/823128

Pizzeria Ristorante Yenkee. Viale Ruggeri, 15 Tel. 0721/807748

Pizzeria Ristorante La Nuova Casaccia. Via Roncosambaccio, 70 Tel. 0721/831030

Pizzeria Ristorante Il Prato dei Grilli. Via belgatto, 75 Tel. 0721/809618

Pizzeria Ristorante Mike and Fior via degli schiavoni 22 tel 0721 808782 fax 0721 813406.
Pizzeria Ristorante Villamarina via degli schiavoni 22 tel 0721 808782 fax 0721 813406.