Our Story
El Caracol was born in 1977, in the heart of Lunigiana, from an Italo-Spanish family who returned to Italy after years of work in Switzerland.
Antonio Novoa, originally from Galicia, and Elsa Giannardi, from Mulazzo, opened a restaurant that still today blends Spanish cuisine, local flavors, and a true sense of home.
Today, the second generation carries on their vision — with style, care, and authenticity.
Menu EL CARACOL
Starters
ANCHOAS DEL MAR CANTABRICO
A premium starter of anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, preserved in olive oil and served with toasted bread and aromatic herb butter.
€12
POLPO ALLA GALLEGA
A Galician classic: steamed octopus on tender potatoes, finished with sweet smoked paprika. Simple, elegant, full of flavor.
€13
ZARZUELA CATALANA
A hearty seafood stew from Catalonia, featuring baby octopus, mussels, clams, shrimp and tomato, served hot with toasted bread.
€13
CARPACCIO DI PESCE SPADA
Thinly sliced raw swordfish, delicately seasoned. A fresh and elegant appetizer for seafood lovers.
€13
CARACOLES
Snails cooked in garlic and parsley butter, following the traditional French Bourguignonne recipe. Rich, bold and satisfying.
€9
ANTIPASTO GOURMET
A selection of Italy’s finest: aged Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano, sweet-and-savory bruschetta with Patanegra lard and Lunigiana honey, and a slice of herb pie with sweet-and-sour onions.
€13
TAGLIERE DEL PASTORE
Selection of cheeses with jam, honey, grapes and dried fruits.
€13
TORTA D'ERBI
A savory vegetable pie from the Lunigiana region, made with local greens, leeks, onions, zucchini and Parmigiano. Served in 4 warm slices.
€6
INSALATONA CARACOL
A generous mixed salad with cherry tomatoes, tuna, shrimp, buffalo mozzarella, olives and corn. Light, fresh and colorful.
€12
First Courses
PAELLA VALENCIANA
The traditional Valencian seafood paella, made with king prawns, squid, cuttlefish, mussels, clams, shrimp and vegetables. A true taste of Spain.
€16
PAELLA MISTA
A rich combination of land and sea: paella with seafood, chicken and pork, cooked together in our signature broth with vegetables.
€17
PAELLA MULATA
A bold black paella made with cuttlefish ink, king prawns, squid, clams, shrimp, artichokes, zucchini, green beans and peppers. Deep flavor and vibrant color.
€16
SPAGHETTI ALLE VONGOLE
Classic Italian spaghetti tossed with fresh seafood: mussels, clams, shrimp, squid, cherry tomatoes, zucchini and pesto.
€14
TAGLIATELLE BASTARDE
Chestnut flour tagliatelle (30%) dressed simply with extra virgin olive oil and aged pecorino cheese. A traditional Lunigiana dish with a nutty aroma.
€9
PAPPARDELLE AI PORCINI
Wide ribbon pasta with a creamy porcini mushroom sauce. Earthy and comforting, a seasonal favorite.
€9
TESTAROLI AL PESTO
Traditional Lunigiana flat pasta served with fresh basil pesto. Rustic and full of flavor.
€8
RAVIOLI
Homemade ravioli filled with vegetables, ricotta and mortadella, served with a rich meat ragù. A hearty, traditional first course.
Ragù
€9
Butter and Sage
€9
Porcini mushrooms
€9
Second Courses
TAGLIATA DI MANZO ARGENTINO AL COCCIO
Sliced grilled beef served hot in a terracotta dish
Porcini mushrooms
€18
Trevigiano and Patanegra Lard
€18
Cherry tomatoes, rocket, parmesan shavin
€18
Spring Onions and Gorgonzola
€18
PARILLADA DI GAMBERONI
Grilled king prawns (6) served with steamed mussels and clams, drizzled with a balsamic glaze. A flavorful seafood platter.
€18
CATALANA DI GAMBERONI
Steamed king prawns (6) on a bed of fresh fruit and raw vegetables, dressed with balsamic glaze. A colorful, light Catalan dish.
€20
COSTINE DI AGNELLO GRIGLIATE
Tender lamb chops, grilled to order. Juicy, simple, satisfying.
€15
Pizze & Focacce
4 FORMAGGI
pom., mozz., zola, gruviera, edamer, taleggio
€9
4 STAGIONI
pomodoro, mozzarella, cotto, carciofi champignon e olive
€9
BANCARELVINO
pomodoro, mozzarella, carpaccio di manzo pecorino, flambè
€9
BUFALA
pomodoro, mozzarella di bufala e basilico
€8
CALZONE FARCITO
pomodoro, mozzarella, funghi e cotto
€8
CAPRICCIOSA
pomodoro, mozzarella, carciofi, cotto wurstel e olive
€9
CARACOL
pomodoro, mozzarella, bufala, gamberetti, pesce spada
€10
CARCIOFI
pomodoro, mozzarella e carciofi
€7
CHAMPIGNON
pomodoro, mozzarella, champignon e origano
€7
COTTO
pomodoro, mozzarella e cotto
€7
CRUDO
pomodoro, mozzarella e crudo
€8
DEL LIBRAIO
pomodoro, mozzarella, pecorino, crema di ortiche e pancetta
€9
DIAVOLA
pomodoro, mozzarella, salame piccante e olive
€8
LUNIGIANESE
pomodoro, mozzarella, pecorino, lardo e miele
€9
MARGHERITA
pomodoro, mozzarella e origano
€5
MARINARA
pomodoro, aglio e origano
€4
MEDITERRANEA
pomodoro, bufala, olive, basilico e pomodorini
€9
MULAZZESE
pomodoro, mozzarella, crudo e porcini
€9
NAPOLI
pomodoro, mozzarella, capperi e acciughe
€7
PARMIGIANA
pomodoro, mozzarella, crudo, scaglie di grana e rucola
€9
PATATOSA
pomodoro, mozzarella e patatine fritte
€6.5
PESCATORA
pomodoro, mozzarella, cozze, vongole e gamberetti
€9
PROSCIUTTO E FUNGHI
pomodoro, mozzarella, cotto e champignon
€8
SALMONE
pomodoro, mozzarella, bufala, salmone e rucola
€11
SALSICCIA CIPOLLA
pomodoro, mozzarella, salsiccia e cipolla
€8
SICILIANA
pomodoro, mozzarella, tonno e cipolle
€8
SPECK E MASCARPONE
pomodoro, mozzarella, speck e mascarpone
€9
VALTELLINA
Pomodoro, mozzarella, bresaola, grana e rucola
€9
VEGETERIANA
pomodoro, mozzarella, verdure grigliate
€8
VIENNESE
pomodoro, mozzarella e wurstel
€7
ZOLA SALSICCIA E PEPERONI
pomodoro, mozzarella, gorgonzola, salsiccia e peperoni
€9
ZUCCHINE E GAMBERETTI
pomodoro, mozzarella, zucchine e gamberetti
€9
FOCACCIA AL CRUDO
mozzarella, pomodoro fresco, crudo e rucola
€9
FOCACCIA GUSTOSA
mozzarella, melanzane grigliate e pancetta
€9
FOCACCIA SAPORITA
stracchino, insalata mista e bresaola
€9
FOCACCIA SFIZIOSA
mozzarella, insalata, pomodoro fresco, gamberetti e maionese
€9
FOCACCIA AL COTTO
mozzarella, pomodoro fresco, cotto e rucola
€9
FOCACCIA ALTOATESINA
stracchino, speck, porcini, pomodoro fresco
€9
FOCACCIA AL LARDO
stracchino, insalata mista, pomodoro fresco lardo e rucola
€9
FOCACCIA AL PESCE SPADA
mozzarella, insalata mista, pomodoro fresco pesce spada e rucola
€10
Side dishes
PATATINE FRITTE
Golden, crispy fries. A timeless classic.
€4
PATATE BRAVAS
Fried potatoes served with spicy tomato sauce and homemade aioli. A true Spanish tapas favorite.
€5
INSALATA MISTA
Fresh mixed salad. A light and refreshing side dish.
€4
VERDURE ALLA GRIGLIA
Grilled zucchini, eggplant and bell peppers, seasoned with olive oil. A Mediterranean trio.
€5
Desserts
CREMA CATALANA
A Spanish dessert made with creamy custard and a caramelized sugar crust. Served chilled with a soft heart and crispy top.
€5
TIRAMISÙ
The iconic Italian dessert: coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone cream and dusted with cocoa powder.
€5
MERINGATA AL CIOCCOLATO
Crunchy meringue layered with whipped cream and coated in rich chocolate. Light and sweet.
€5
LATTE PORTOGHESE
Creamy and light milk pudding in Portuguese style, with sweet notes of orange and caramel.
€5
PANNA COTTA
Creamy dessert served with your choice of topping: • Berries • Chocolate • Caramel
€5
APPLE STRUDEL WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM
Warm apple strudel filled with cinnamon-spiced apples, served with vanilla ice cream. Comforting and indulgent.
€6
LEMON SORBET
Fresh and digestive, perfect after a meal.
€4
PISTACHIO SEMIFREDDO
Creamy semifreddo with rich and aromatic pistachio flavor.
€5
AMARETTO SEMIFREDDO
Frozen dessert with the deep, sweet aroma of amaretto. Soft and satisfying.
€5
ANANAS FLAMBÉ CON GELATO
Fresh pineapple caramelized on the spot, served with ice cream
€6
PROFITTEROL
Cream puffs filled with custard and covered in dark chocolate sauce. A decadent dessert.
€5
COFFEE GELATO WITH WHISKEY CREAM
Coffee-flavored ice cream topped with smooth whiskey cream. A bold, grown-up treat.
€5
Cena senza pensieri: Fermati a dormire da noi
Perché rimettersi subito alla guida? L'Albergo El Caracol dispone di 8 camere silenziose proprio accanto al ristorante.
Goditi la nostra Sangria e la vista su Mulazzo in totale relax. Al mattino, ti sveglierai nella quiete della Lunigiana con la colazione pronta. Il modo perfetto per trasformare una cena in una mini-vacanza.
Ideale anche per motociclisti e viaggiatori che esplorano la Toscana
