Imagine sinking your teeth into the cheesy goodness of a crispy yet moist prosciutto pizza slice thatโs baked fresh inside a wood-fired brick oven, prepared by an Italian Chef, no less. As you take the bite, strings of melty cheese are pulled away, and you savor the flavors of Italy bursting on your palate. You look at the view of sparkling blue seas from a comfortable second-floor dining balcony and feel the fine, powdery sand between your toes as you head out. No need to imagine for long, this is a reality atย ARIA Cucina Italiana.
Photo: ARIA Cucina Italiana
Established in 2003ย on world-renownedย Boracay island, theย 21-year-old beachfront restaurantย stands the test of time with its authentic cuisine, owned by entrepreneurs Juan Elizalde and Paolo Occhionero,ย under the leadership ofย Italian Executive Chef, Salvatore Vincentis. Vincentisโ delectable and authentic creations continue to wow people from all over the globe. No wonder, his standards in the kitchen are strict, especially when it comes to the freshness and quality of ingredients, as some are even flown in straight from Italy so as not to compromise their delicious Italian fare. ARIAโs curated menu is the most comprehensive one on the island, with dishes catering to various tastes and preferences.
Photo: ARIA Cucina Italiana
Other than their high-quality ingredients, itโs the wood-fired brick oven that makes their pizzas truly delicious. It packs on the flavor, thanks to the intense heat it generates that cooks the pizza quickly, resulting in a crisp crust while locking in moisture and flavor. The wood imparts a distinctive smoky flavor to the pizza you can’t achieve with other cooking methods. It also tends to keep authenticity alive as they have been used for centuries in Italy and other parts of the world for baking bread and cooking pizza. The tradition and craftsmanship associated with these ovens add an element of authenticity to the pizza-making process, which ARIA guests surely love.
Photo: ARIA Cucina Italiana
Their extensive selection of 26 pizza varieties inspired by various regions in Italyย (ask for the secret menu if you want half-and-half options, and for big groups, you can make it La Famiglia) is sure to impress you. For other menu items, you can also indulge in theirย Fritto di Calamari con Maionese Elle Erbe andย Prosciutto e Mango, both considered some of the best appetizers on the island.
As for salads, itโs the Cocomero Salad that people quite regularly enjoy. For pasta lovers, there are the special black fettuccine pasta dishes with the Fettuccine Nere and Al Nero. The Chicken Parmigiana, baked to perfection in their brick oven, is also a crowd favorite. To try something new, our Gnocchi alla Sorrentina AKA potato dumplings are an underrated delight.
To quench your thirst, they also offer Italian cocktails with an extensive list of wines that are sure to complement your mouth-watering dishes. To end your meal on a sweet note, treat yourself to ARIA Tris di Dolci or their perfectly creamy ARIA Gelato with a wide selection of 18 flavors, made fresh daily with imported ingredients. With all gelato flavors crafted daily, itโs undeniably the finest ice cream dessert experience in Boracay.
Photo: ARIA Cucina Italiana
ARIA Cucina Italianaย continues to thrive as a top-of-mind Italian beachfront restaurant, despite all the challenges it faced during Boracayโs closures for the island rehabilitation in 2018, and then followed by the pandemic in 2020. Choosing to stay open to keep staff employed, they continued operations and adapted a digital system for online orders and delivery. The quick transition has been beneficial, as their online orders are still up and running. Their long-standing core and front dining team show gratitude by staying excellent in their service which is reflected in their dinersโ satisfied experiences.
With 21 years of authentic Italian food that never compromises on taste and quality, and best-rated reviews on TripAdvisor and Google, be sure to expect many more to come.
Visit ARIA Cucina Italiana at DโMall, Station 2, Boracay Island.ย Follow them on Instagramย @ariacucinaitaliana. See the menuย here.ย ย Order via Viber: +63 998 482 8490.