Dear friends,
We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Il Piccolo Principe, the only two Michelin-Starred Restaurant In Tuscany Region located directly by the sea at the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio.
“Il Piccolo Principe: where Tuscany meets the sea”.
Overlooking the Tyrrhenian coast from the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio, the restaurant that sets Il Piccolo Principe** apart is its culinary identity: a dialogue between the sea and the inland bounty of Tuscany.
Il Piccolo Principe boasts two Michelin stars and is a benchmark for Italian haute cuisine. Its unique setting, where the timeless luxury of the hotel blends with the natural beauty of the Tuscan coast, is the ideal backdrop for a gastronomic experience that aspires to be as sophisticated as it is deeply evocative. Through his cuisine, chef Giuseppe Mancino draws a sensory map of Tuscany — from the rugged hills and fertile valleys of the interior to the salt-kissed shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. His menus reflect this duality: an elegant dialogue between inland and coastal traditions, interpreted with a contemporary sensibility and enriched by influences from his travels in Asia, particularly China. This evolution has led to a style that is at once authentic, modern, and distinctly personal. With 13 people in the kitchen and 12 professionals in the dining room, the restaurant combines precision, creativity, and impeccable service.
Each dish traces a route across the region. Some of Mancino´s iconic creations are: Pasta in bianco (at first glance a simple dish, but once tasted it releases unexpected aromas and flavors, enhanced by tomato water), Sea steak (a combination of Viareggio fish and Chianina bone marrow, part of Tuscan tradition. With eyes closed, one might believe it to be a piece of meat with its fat, though in reality it’s a mix of meat and fish), or the Rock mullet pizzaiola-style (a dish born from the Chef’s southern roots combined with Tuscan ingredients).
At Il Piccolo Principe, the chef has found the perfect place to develop his life’s work in Viareggio, on the Tuscan coast. From there, he gives life to a concept that unites territory, memory and technique with a contemporary and refined approach.
“Chef Giuseppe Mancino offers a gastronomic itinerary that combines the richness of the Tyrrhenian Sea with products from the Tuscan countryside, reinterpreted with a contemporary approach and refined technique.”
For the 2025–2026 season, Il Piccolo Principe philosophy is rooted in respect for the territory, with a cuisine that is indulgent yet finely balanced, giving special prominence to vegetables. Pioneering from the very beginning, Il Piccolo Principe was the first in the region to introduce bold innovations such as refined raw seafood and daring reinterpretations like foie gras with shellfish — a culinary language that, twenty years ago, Viareggio was not yet ready to embrace. Today, after 21 years and two Michelin stars, the restaurant represents a mature and internationally attuned gastronomy, where each dish evolves over time.
The cuisine is dynamic, the service attentive and full of personality, yet never intrusive. Like a theater, upon entering, you are greeted by the foyer, featuring an inviting sofa in a precious wool bouclé, where the dominant colors are white, gray, icy blue, and indigo. Here, the intent is clearly stated: to guide the guest from a harmonious prelude worthy of the most beautiful operas.
Besides, you can experience the Bar del Piccolo, where the glamour of the Roaring Twenties meets contemporary mixology. The bar’s new cocktail menu celebrates Tuscany in liquid form. Highlights include the ‘Tuscan Spirit’ Negroni, which blends Amarancio Borsi, China Clementi, artisanal gin and floral botanicals — a tribute to the region’s heritage.
Il Piccolo Principe in Viareggio sits at a crossroads between coast and countryside. Just a short drive from Pisa, the medieval walls of Lucca, and the vineyards and hills that define the Tuscan interior, it offers a rare vantage point: the ability to savor the rhythm of the sea while remaining deeply connected to the heart of the region. With its Art Nouveau villas, lively promenade, and timeless seaside atmosphere, Viareggio enriches the experience, turning a visit into a journey through both land and sea, past and present.
A breakfast like no other
Overseen by two Michelin star Chef Giuseppe Mancino every morning, breakfast at the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio transcends the ordinary. It has been recognized as one of the finest in Italy, offering guests an unparalleled gastronomic journey from the very first meal of the day. The experience was awarded Best Breakfast in Italy in 2024.
With more than 25 types of sweets alongside mini waffles, pancakes, and a dedicated gluten-free line, the offering blends indulgence with inclusivity. The savory selection is equally remarkable, with live stations and themed corners reflecting both Italian tradition and international flavors. Highlights include an egg station with 10 different preparations and a menu of signature creations. From the “Triumph of Bread” corner with 20 types of freshly baked breads and focaccias to the curated cheese and charcuterie boards, each detail showcases the Chef’s pursuit of excellence. Guests also enjoy unique experiences such as a ramen station, an Arabic corner or freshly cooked vegetables from the restaurant’s own garden. A sushi master prepares nigiri, sashimi, and maki live on site, complemented by oysters and daily seafood such as scampi and mantis shrimp from trusted Viareggio fishermen.
About Giuseppe Mancino
Born in Sarno (Salerno) in 1981, Giuseppe Mancino has become one of Italy’s most respected culinary figures, known internationally for his refined interpretation of Italian cuisine. Since 2005, he has been at the helm of Il Piccolo Principe, the fine dining restaurant of the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio, Tuscany, which under his leadership was awarded its first Michelin star in 2008 and a second in 2014.
Mancino’s career has been shaped by formative experiences alongside some of the most influential names in gastronomy, such as Alain Ducasse and Gualtiero Marchesi. The connection with Principe di Piemonte Hotel started by chance 21 years ago. From that moment, the chef fell in love with Viareggio and decided never to leave. Recognized by major guides and awarded distinctions such as the prestigious “3 forks” in Gambero Rosso’s Italian Restaurant Guide, Mancino continues to position Il Piccolo Principe and Viareggio among the top fine dining destinations in Italy, while showcasing the gastronomic richness of Tuscany to the world.
Biodynamic vegetable garden
Most of the products used in the kitchen of Il Piccolo Principe are sourced from a local vegetable garden, “Biodinamica Mediterranea”. This family business uses cutting-edge cultivation methods based on completely chemical-free biodynamic techniques, which yield high quality ingredients and respect the environment. The 12,000 square-metre farm, a short distance from the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, grows seasonal vegetables, finger lime, cucamelon and edible flowers in a healthy environment .The plants are grown following the phases of the moon: each plant has its own ideal time for planting, influenced by the waxing or waning of the moon. Also, aquaculture techniques are used. A beekeeping project is being carried out to enable the natural pollination of plants. Naturally fertilising compost (Vermicomposting) is used and enables a circular economy by exploiting material considered by many to be worthless and transforming it into an asset, thereby reducing waste. A series of horticultural techniques and a true agricultural philosophy blend perfectly with the quest for environmentally sustainable cuisine embraced by Il Piccolo Principe. This sourcing process focuses not only on the aesthetic appeal and natural flavour of the produce but also on social responsibility coupled with sustainability to the benefit of the local area.
About Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte
The distinctive silhouette of the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in the glorious architectural tradition of the late nineteenth century is a landmark on the Tuscany coastline. A luxury heritage property steeped in the Italian Liberty style of architecture and decorative art and Tuscan hospitality, customs and culture.
As a long-established destination on the landscape of the Versilia Riviera and at the peak of twenty-first-century hospitality, the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte has a distinct identity, which is not only exalted by its history but is also in constant evolution. Five-star luxury and recently joining the select circle of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte offers an impeccable experience by blending the elegance of the facilities and the comfort of the furnishings with modern services, the gourmand experience of a two Michelin star restaurant and the latest innovations in food & mixology.
With over a century of history, the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio has long been a symbol of Tuscan elegance and culture. Opened in 1922 as the Select Palace Hotel during the Belle Époque, it quickly became a landmark on the Versilia Riviera, attracting artists, intellectuals, and high society. Renamed Principe di Piemonte in the late 1930s, it has since welcomed figures from royalty such as Edward and Wallis Simpson, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Umberto II of Savoy, to Nobel Prize winner Guglielmo Marconi. Its lounges and suites have hosted cultural icons including Marlene Dietrich, Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Jerry Lewis, Nick Nolte, and Juliette Binoche, alongside Italian music greats like Domenico Modugno, Mina, and Fabrizio De André. Today, after 103 years, the hotel remains a beacon of prestige on Tuscany’s golden coast, where history, art, and hospitality converge.
The neoclassical features and sinuous lines that distinguish the Italian Liberty-style façade of this imposing corner building — the epitome of stylish holidays and international sophistication — are a prelude to the interior’s magnificence. It has five floors, 80 bedrooms (including 32 suites), lounges, private rooms, a modern wellness area and the large Butterfly meeting room.
On the 5th and top floor of the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte, in one of the most scenic settings in Versilia, you find the Terrace Rooftop Bar and Bistrot Viareggio, welcoming different atmospheres throughout the day in this exclusive space suspended between sky and sea.
In addition, the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte offers access to the exclusive Maitò beach in Forte dei Marmi, about 10 kilometres away, providing a complete coastal experience for its guests. Also, The Principe di Piemonte Spa and a very well equipped gym allow visitors to relax with tailored treatments, wellness rituals, and modern fitness facilities.
A Voyage through Classical and Contemporary Elegance
The Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte offers a fascinating journey amongst works of art from different periods, floral compositions, hand-painted silk wallpapers echoing oriental themes, custom-made furnishings and large hand-knotted carpets that muffle the sound of footsteps. The large spaces on the ground floor, reflected in gilded door panels, form lounges as well as private corners and guarantee the comfort of guests. The Chinese inspired, Sala Cinese, represents the concept of extreme luxury in the use of unique fabrics and furnishings, with rare, hand-painted silk wallpapers, Illulian carpets and original Chinese antiques, all of which evoke travel and exploration and create an intimate atmosphere. The Library, used as a waiting room, retains the main feature of a large bookcase, which is enhanced by hand-made de Gournay wallpaper. The room is also enriched by the works of the well-known contemporary sculptor, Emanuele Giannelli. The Sala Guttuso houses the artist’s «Lo Zodiaco» collection of 12 paintings depicting the signs of the zodiac and their symbolism. The large veranda has been completely redesigned to resemble a golden gallery in which to house the Michelin star restaurant «Il Piccolo Principe». A runner measuring over 30 meters, designed by S+S studio and handmade by master weavers, symbolizes and leads the way under the arches covered in gold and mirrors of the long gallery. The work «Setole», a joint artistic project by Francesca Pasquali and Marco Casamonti & Partners (Archea Associati), adds a dreamlike quality to the atmosphere.
The corridors of the four main floors inspire different emotional experiences through the careful blend of wall decorations, wallpapers and skilfully crafted lighting fixtures. On the fifth floor, where the panoramic penthouses are also located, corridors are finished with precious mother-of-pearl that reflects the light and creates a delightful, soft effect. The 80 rooms (Classic, Deluxe, Superior, Family, Prince Suite, One/Two/Three Bedroom suite, Panorama Penthouse, Presidential suite) reflect the desire to diversify the accommodation and to offer an advanced concept of luxury.
www.ristoranteilpiccoloprincipe.it
@grandgrandhotelprincipedipiemonte
Open for dinner only from Tuesday to Sunday.
Reservations can be made online.
PRESS CONTACT
Vanessa Kroop – vanessak@mateoando.es – +34608849809
