Trattoria Marinai In Coperta - FERRARA

I've been to Italy a dozen times, first time in Ferrara and this had to have been my FAVORITE meal in this entire country! Everything about this place is amazing! First, I feel a bit guilty sharing this place this the world because as you can see by the reviews and it's a tried and true local favorite. I hope they don't mind! Upon arrival you have to ring a little bell that let's the staff know you've arrived. Patio area is amazingly quaint and spacious. Perfect for a summer day! We were greeted by the owner? He was so cool! We're all Americans and didn't speak Italian very well so he asked if we spoke Spanish and we did so we communicated with broken Spanish! The restaurant itself it also spacious but all the diners were outside in the patio. It felt like we were having a meal in someone's back yard. Service was very attentive. We had a few looks from the locals and everyone seemed curious because we just appeared out of nowhere (this place is just a short 10 min walk outside the castle). We ordered this appetizer that was 25 euros but had a little bit of everything and we ordered 2. We didn't really know what we were in for but it's basically 5 fish/shellfish dishes. GET THIS. I think it was the most expensive thing on the menu but the owner suggested we try it so we can get a taste of all the different dishes. They were all really amazing. 2 of the dishes were calamari and it was the most tender calamari ever. So buttery and good, not rubbery at all. The first dish was just super simple, calamari with lemon juice, pepper and arugula and it was beautiful. The 2nd dish that stood out was mussels in a tomato sauce, I wanted to lick the bowl clean. One of the things we ordered on our own was radicchio with pancetta and shrimp drizzled with an amazing aged balsamic. Heavenly. We barely got through the appetizers before we remembered we ordered 2 pasta dishes! The first was just a tortellini with meat ragu. Oh the simplicity..but everything was cooked to perfection. I've had a ton of pasta in Italy, these pasta dishes were so amazing! The 2nd one was a bit more unique..it was like a rigotoni with a very light curry coating..weird to explain but it was subtle hint of curry that I never have eaten with pasta and it was amazing! Again, perfectly cooked. All the food, plus 2 carafes of wine, and 2 large bottles of sparking water was 120euros. We easily had 8 courses brought out and they were large portions! The owner brought out some dessert for us! Sorbet in fruit? I don't know what it was but it was amazing!! Ahh. And then be brought out this really dark homemade sambuca tasting like drink for us as well as homemade lemoncello..the best lemoncello I've had! Overall an amazing experience despite possible language barriers. We were treated so kindly and the meal spoke for itself really. Throughout this all we wanted was a place where locals went with some darn good food and some good hospitality and we got everything we dreamed of and more. This is what traveling is all about..finding a gem that you will remember forever.

What a great dinner we just had. The owner was charming he spoke some Spanish which covered for my lack of Italian and we were able to get some absolutely delicious seafood dishes. The clams were delicious, the gnochetti was silky and rich, and the free appetizers were tasty and appreciated. This place is rated highly for a reason.

A place I always like to go. Fish of excellent quality, the service is always accompanied by a nice smile. Excellent quality of food with a very low price. Recommended

Great food right serving excellent quality service of impeccable value friendly owners surely we will return advice to those who love fish

First of quality, excellent wine, top service. We will return Sure x taste the raw