Located about 400 meters from the main square of Bova, Ristorante Grecanico enjoys a privileged location, immersed in the beautiful setting of Aspromonte. On clear days, its outdoor terrace offers breathtaking views: the outline of Mount Etna, the Amendolea river, and the imposing mountains of Aspromonte come together in a unique landscape, offering a view of the southernmost tip of the Italian peninsula.
The atmosphere is described as cheerful and welcoming, an environment where you can breathe in the conviviality of the Grecanica tradition and the affection of the Aspromonte land.
Origins and cultural identity
Cooperativa San Leo, founded in Bova in 1990 with the aim of promoting the cultural and natural heritage of the Greek area of Aspromonte, with a view to sustainable tourism and authentic hospitality. Since 1999, the Grecanico Restaurant has been offering a gastronomic experience faithful to its local roots, celebrating the Greek-influenced Calabrian cuisine through rustic buffets, lunches, and dinners based on typical products.
Cuisine and specialties
Appetizers
A rich and authentic assortment awaits diners: Calabrian black pork cold cuts, mixed goat and sheep cheese, beans and mushrooms, lestopitte (typical fried desserts), fritters, fresh ricotta, sun-dried tomatoes in oil and grilled vegetables. Simple ingredients, but imbued with the aromas and flavors of the land.
First courses
Homemade pasta takes shape in traditional dishes such as:
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Ciceri e tagghiarini (chickpeas and handmade tagliatelle)
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Cordelle with pork sauce
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Handmade maccheroni with goat sauce or ragù
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Maccheroncini with sauce and fresh ricotta cheese
These dishes reflect the link between culture, sheep farming, and peasant cuisine. In particular, the gastronomic suggestion of “Storie Enogastronomiche” emphasizes the importance of pasta as a link to tradition: “Maccarruni … served with a white goat meat sauce … pure peasant poetry.”
Main courses
The menu continues with tasty meat dishes and local specialties:
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Grilled Calabrian black pork
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Capra alla “Vutana”
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Ricotta meatballs
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Wild herb frittata,
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Frittole, typical in the winter months
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Lamb and kid baked or roasted
Even the simplest products carry with them the identity of the countryside: boiled goat, according to descriptions, ”restores all the fragrance of the wild in a mild flavor.”
Desserts and wines
Desserts change with the seasons: they are the stars of the show during holidays such as Christmas and Easter, accompanied by apple and bergamot tart—desserts that are synonymous with the Grecanica region. These dishes can be paired with local wines, in particular the IGT Palizzi, a label that speaks of the territory.
Additional services
The Grecanico Restaurant is not just a place to eat, but an integral part of the Aspromonte tourist and cultural network. It offers catering services, buffets, and packed lunches, specially designed for hikers and trekking enthusiasts, which are among the main activities of the Cooperativa San Leo.
An authentic experience
The Grecanico Restaurant in Bova, run by the Cooperativa San Leo since 1999, is more than just a restaurant: it is a cultural and gastronomic experience. Part of a project to promote the Grecanic culture and the Aspromonte National Park, the restaurant offers an informal and warm atmosphere with panoramic views of extraordinary landscapes. The cuisine is deeply rooted in local identity: dishes prepared with local ingredients tell a story of sheep farming, rural simplicity, and tradition. Rustic appetizers, fresh pasta with goat ragù, hearty main courses, and traditional desserts are paired with local wines. The services offered—catering, buffets, and lunches for hikers—also reflect the integration between hospitality and the local area.
Bova, with its linguistic and architectural heritage, contributes to making the restaurant experience unique: eating here means tasting Grecanica Calabria in an authentic way, immersed in natural landscapes and ancient stories.