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| Costevé Riomaggiore |
What to Expect
Costevé is located on the main street of Riomaggiore, Via Colombo. The store is small but you will find everything you'll need for snacks and basic meals. There is fresh fruit and vegetables under the green and white striped awning outside. Just inside the door are a couple of refrigerators with cold water, wine, beer, soda, and dairy products. The rest of the store has a variety of pastas, breads, cheeses, meats, and much more. Though their products are great, it is the the owners of Costevé that make it the best grocery store in the Cinque Terre.
Most people on a budget save money by picking up a few items from a market or grocery store instead of eating every meal out. However, shopping in an Italian grocery store isn't like shopping in one America. Much less food in Italy is prepackaged compared to America. You need the assistance of a grocery clerk to get meat, cheese, bread, and many other items. In Italy, this assistance can sometimes be downright hostile towards tourists, which I experienced first hand many times. The owners of Costevé treat all customers with a helpful enthusiasm unlike any other place we had shopped in Italy. My wife and I were greeted with a smile as soon as we stepped into the store. We attempted to speak Italian, but the owners willingly spoke English and answered our questions about Italian food. We ended up picking up a few items from Costevé every day during out time in the Cinque Terre, and each time we were treated with the same respect and enthusiasm.
It is the little things like finding a grocery store or cafe that add or detract to a travel expererience. The folks at Costevé certainly do their part to add to the wonder of the Cinque Terre.
Just the Basics
- Location: 193 Via Colombo, Riomaggiore
- Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/costeve.riomaggiorecinqueterre
