38.1° N
Reggio Calabria
Calabria, Italy
Hélène spent one dry, sunny November day here, in a sea wind: the bergamot groves of the Ionian coast, the coast train, a bar at lunchtime, the seafront on the Strait of Messina, and a quiet room at night.
Where Hélène would go
Made in Reggio Calabria: Bergamot3
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Made in Reggio Calabria
Bergamot, the citrus behind Earl Grey tea and many perfumes, is grown almost only on a short strip of coast in the province of Reggio Calabria. The city has a museum of bergamot, and shops and bars that cook and brew with it.
Centro
Funky Drop
A craft brewery in Reggio with a taproom on Via Zecca. It brews beer with local bergamot.
HélèneBergamot as a beer aroma.
Centro
Museo Nazionale del Bergamotto (MuBer)
A museum of bergamot in the former covered market. It runs workshops on the essential oil and perfumery.
HélèneFor those who want to know where a scent begins. It has workshops.
Brancaleone
Azienda Agricola Patea
A bergamot farm in Brancaleone. It sells fruit, juice and essential oil and makes the Cardus liqueurs; visits and tastings are offered. About 100 km from Reggio.
HélèneThe scent begins in the field.
Sweets6
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Centro
Pasticceria Fragomeni
A family pastry shop founded in 1988, known for cannoli and granita. In 2026 it made a new cannolo with bergamot.
HélèneA bergamot cannolo. Scent is the point.
Centro
Gelateria Trebottoni
A gelateria near the National Archaeological Museum, described as using seasonal Calabrian ingredients and no additives. At the 2026 bergamot festival it served bergamot gelato.
HélèneBergamot, as gelato.
Lungomare
Ke Gelato
A gelato and dessert bar by the sea. It is known for a chocolate affogato and bubble waffles. The owner is gelato maker Consolato Namia.
HélèneWarm chocolate poured over gelato.
Lungomare
Gelato Cesare
A green gelato kiosk on the seafront, open since 1918. It is known for local flavours such as annona and bergamot.
HélèneAnnona, bergamot. Local fruit flavours.
Centro
Pasticceria La Mimosa
A pastry shop that began as a workshop in 1985 and has been on Piazza Sant'Anna since 1992. The Musolino family runs it. Known for bergamot sweets.
HélèneBergamot sweets, in a shop on the piazza.
Lungomare
Cremeria Sottozero
A cremeria and pasticceria founded in 1974, on the seafront since 1992. The Pennestrì family runs it.
HélèneSeafront gelato, for over fifty years.
Food9
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Centro
Cordon Bleu
A bar and tavola calda on Corso Garibaldi, open since 1976 and known for savoury crispelline. It marked its 50th anniversary in March 2026.
HélèneMorning espresso and salty crispelline.
Centro
Biondo Lab
A rosticceria in the old centre that makes Reggio's panzerotti and calzoni. It reopened on Via Filippini in October 2026.
HélèneFried to order.
Centro
Gastronomia del Carmine
A deli near Piazza del Carmine with home-style Calabrian dishes and stockfish dishes. At the 2026 bergamot festival it served stockfish meatballs with bergamot.
HélèneBergamot with fish.
Lungomare
Piro Piro
A waterfront restaurant and lounge bar on the Lungomare, with seafood and Calabrian dishes. Sicily is in view across the water.
HélèneSicily, across the water.
Lungomare
Scialò – Finestra sul Mare
A kiosk bistro on the seafront, with stuffed focaccia and local cured meats. In October 2026 it opened a second place on Corso Garibaldi.
HélèneThey put bergamot on a pinsa.
Lungomare
Pizza Roma
A pizza-by-the-slice shop on Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The dough rises for up to 72 hours. At the 2026 bergamot festival it served a slice with bergamot gel.
HélèneBergamot gel, on a pizza.
Lungomare
Royal Reef
A seafront fish restaurant. It won the Reggio Calabria episode of the TV show 4 Ristoranti.
HélèneFish, with the sea in view.
Centro
Timo Restaurant
A restaurant near the Duomo in the old centre, with traditional dishes. Giovanna runs the room.
HélèneOld dishes, in the old town.
Centro
Lisca Bianca
A seafood restaurant in an elegant side street near Villa Zerbi. The kitchen is open to view.
HélèneFor a seafood day. The kitchen is open.
Cafés2
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Centro
Cafè Noir
A café and cocktail bar in the centre, with specialty coffee. It uses local ingredients such as bergamot. It won the cocktail contest at the October 2026 Bergarè bergamot festival.
HélèneBergamot, tried in a glass.
Lungomare
Malavenda Café
A café on a lane between Corso Garibaldi and the seafront, with coffee, brioche and aperitifs. At the 2026 bergamot festival it served a brioche with smoked salmon and bergamot mayonnaise.
HélèneBergamot in a savoury dish.
Hélène is a fictional traveller. Every place here was checked by the editors to exist and be open (checked 2026-11-09). Please confirm hours on the official site before you go. Paid listings are always marked.