10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Corsica

Octopussy first opened about 20 years ago and is a great option for an elegant meal right on the beach. Truthfully, this eatery really has very little to do with James Bond, other than its suave atmosphere. You can overlook the sea and the town citadel walls.

A few highlights of the menu include grilled organic salmon steak, veal Milanese, and the pasta dishes you’d expect at this kind of place. Local wines are always on the menu with an excellent selection, and for dessert, there’s the local delicacy of canistrelli – a Corsican cheese plate.

Auberge de la Restonica is a rustic, laid-back restaurant made to look like a country cottage. It's right outside the hilltop village of Corte, right in Corsica’s central region. It sits along the banks of the Restonica River, which offers a serene, natural surrounding while you enjoy a meal. It’s also a great place for hikers and outdoor adventurers to stop for a bite and some relaxation.

There are indoor and outdoor dining areas to enjoy, and menu highlights include beef tenderloin flambéed in brandy, boar stew, and fiadone cheesecake with brioccu for dessert.

Le Piano chez Toinou is a charming restaurant and Mediterranean from top to bottom, inside and out. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the beach, making it a great place to grab lunch after lounging in the bustling small town of Porticcio.

Here you’ll find tiled floors, stone walls, and even an outdoor covered terrace for all the ambience you want. Meanwhile, you can enjoy modern and traditional dishes from the Corsican and overall Mediterranean palate. Just a few options that must be tried include the veal casserole and the St. Pierre sea urchin. There are also full 3-course menus you can enjoy.

Le Café de la Plage is a gorgeous restaurant right on the beach that offers the very best in upscale cuisine with an easy-going, casual atmosphere. It’s located in the commune of Piana, and its distinctive Corsican menu is complemented by the driftwood-style decks and furnishings juxtaposed with the iconic beach setting.

Some speciality dishes at Le Café de la Plage include a breaded lamb fillet in a creamy risotto with aged basil and parmesan, as well as salmon tartare with celery remoulade and yellow pepper carpaccio.

Le Nicoli is a stylish restaurant right at the centre of the village of Corte in the mountains. That means you'll find picturesque views of pristine landscapes anywhere you look from the outdoor terrace. It overlooks a public square below that’s bustling with local colour.

The restaurant serves French brasserie-style cuisine, which is a fusion of traditional and contemporary classic fare. The produce is sourced locally, as is the game and meat. A few of the specialities on the menu here include salmon tartare and Corsica risotto with prosciutto ham.

Le Tantra is a good choice if you’re looking for something other than traditional Corsican and Mediterranean cuisine. This restaurant in the heart of Port de Toga in Batista is everything stylish, trendy, and modern. It serves Asian cuisine and even offers a sushi bar.

The décor is Eastern, styled with Buddha statues, Asian artwork, and dark wood matched with plush seating and blue spotlights. A few of the menu classics include chicken teriyaki, shrimp tempura, a range of sushi dishes, and of course, classic gyoza dumplings.

A Casa di Aghjulu is the picturesque icon of traditional Corsican fine dining. It’s hidden among the Gulf of Saint-Florent hilltops. This farmhouse has stood since the mid-19th century and features 200-year-old frescoes as part of its décor.

Of course, everything here is seasonal and locally sourced. Some of the signature dishes include duce foie gras, gingerbread and onion gam, fried monkfish medallions on a bed of leeks, and others that are sure to make your mouth water. The restaurant also has its own vineyard and wine cellar for perfect food and wine pairings.

Terra Cotta is an upscale restaurant renowned for its seafood dishes, including rock lobster. It offers a shady terrace overlooking the local marina and has different menus depending on whether you’re there for lunch or dinner.

No matter what you order, you’ll find that every plate is intentionally designed for both beauty and taste, making for the ultimate dining experience. The atmosphere is relaxed and refined, and the service is outstanding. They are also well known for their incredible cocktails and mixed drinks.

L'Eternisula is a café/deli-style restaurant is renowned for its charcuterie platters with Corsican ham and cheese and a broad selection of sandwiches and soups. The brainchild of an Anglo-Corsican couple, it has a revolving sandwich selection of the day and gourmet espresso.

The atmosphere is fun, casual, and upbeat, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. And, if you’re really hungry, try the 3-course meal of soup, meat and cheese platter, and fig jam walnut cake.

If you’re on a family holiday and looking for somewhere great to eat that won’t break the bank, try A Casetta in the town of Porto-Vecchio. This family-style restaurant has outstanding hospitality, fantastic food, and a kind, welcoming staff.

While you’re there, be sure to try their unique casual dishes, like a Corsican burger or tagliatelle. The food is fresh and made with the very best local ingredients, and the portions are quite generous. They also have a fine selection of wines to pair with your meal.