Hanging out at a sea-view restaurant while sampling local specialties could become one of your favorite memories of any visit to the five most scenic towns of the Italian Riviera. The key staple here is anchovies (acciughe; ah-CHOO-gay) — ideally served the day they're caught. There's nothing cool about being an anchovy virgin.

If you've always hated anchovies (the harsh, cured-in-salt American kind), try them fresh here. They can be prepared a variety of ways: marinated, salted, butterflied and deep-fried (sometimes with a delicious garlic/vinegar sauce called giada), and so on. Tegame alla vernazzana is the most typical main course in Vernazza: a layered, casserole-like dish of whole anchovies, potatoes, tomatoes, white wine, oil, and herbs.