a large dining table laid out for a group

Restaurant

Mountain flavours at 1,520 metres

The restaurant at Rifugio Monte Aiona Pratomollo serves traditional Ligurian mountain cuisine using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Open for lunch and dinner (closed Thursdays), it seats guests in a wood-panelled dining room with fireplace or on the outdoor panoramic terrace. Breakfast is included for overnight guests. Half-board (€55–60/person) and full-board are available on request. Gluten-free options always available.

The Kitchen

Our kitchen draws on the cooking traditions of the Val d'Aveto and the Ligurian Apennines — hearty, honest food made for mountain appetites. The menu changes with the seasons, reflecting what's fresh and local.

In autumn, expect tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms from the surrounding beech forests. In cooler months, polenta with rich cheese sauce or ragù. Year-round, you'll find the flavours of this corner of Liguria — ravioli al tuccu, torta baciocca (the potato pie traditional to these valleys), local cheeses like San Stè from the pastures of Santo Stefano d'Aveto, and castagnaccio when chestnuts are in season.

Everything is prepared in-house. This is not restaurant food dressed up as mountain cooking — it's the real thing.

The Terrace

When the weather allows, meals are served on our outdoor panoramic terrace overlooking the Pratomollo meadows and the surrounding peaks. There is no finer dining room in the Ligurian Apennines.

Breakfast is laid out here on summer mornings — local honey, fresh bread, fruit, coffee, and a silence broken only by birdsong and the occasional horse wandering past. It's the kind of start to the day you won't find in any city.

An photo of the rifugio with its terrace in front taken by drone

From the Val d'Aveto Table

The cuisine of these mountains is a world away from the seafood and pesto of the Ligurian coast. Up here, the cooking traditions belong to the inland valleys — the Val d'Aveto, Val Graveglia, and the high pastures of the Genovese Apennines.

Signature dishes you may find on our menu:

  • Tagliatelle ai funghi porcini: handmade pasta with porcini from the local beech forests
  • Ravioli al tuccu: the classic Genovese filled pasta with slow-cooked meat sauce
  • Torta baciocca: a savoury potato pie with lard, onion, cheese, and parsley, traditional to the Val d'Aveto
  • Polenta con sugo di funghi: polenta with mushroom ragù
  • Corzetti stampati: embossed pasta discs, a Ligurian speciality
  • San Stè cheese: a local cheese from the pastures around Santo Stefano d'Aveto
  • Castagnaccio: chestnut flour cake, a mountain autumn tradition

 

The menu changes seasonally. Dishes listed are representative of our kitchen's style. Please ask about the current menu when you visit or book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can day visitors eat at the restaurant?
Yes. The restaurant is open to all visitors, not only overnight guests. No reservation is required, but we recommend booking ahead for weekends and holidays, especially during mushroom season (September–November).
What type of cuisine does Rifugio Monte Aiona serve?
Traditional Ligurian mountain cuisine from the Val d'Aveto; seasonal, locally sourced, and prepared in-house. Signature dishes include tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, ravioli al tuccu, torta baciocca, and polenta with mushroom ragù. The menu changes
Are gluten-free meals available?
Yes. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available for all meals. Please let us know your dietary requirements when booking or at least a few hours in advance.
What is half-board at the rifugio?
Half-board includes breakfast and dinner, priced at €55–60 per person per night (2025 season). Full-board (adding lunch) is also available on request. Both feature the same seasonal, regional cuisine served in the restaurant.
Is the restaurant open in winter?
The rifugio opens from April 1st, with daily service from May. During shoulder season and winter weekends (when open), the restaurant operates — check with us for current opening days.
Can we arrange a group meal or event?
Yes. We can accommodate groups for meals and private events. Please contact us in advance to discuss the menu and arrangements.

Ready for Your Mountain Adventure?

Book your stay at Rifugio Monte Aiona Pratomollo today.

Book Now