Gabbiano Beach
Three Generations Overlooking the Sea at Citara Beach
Our story began in the early 1960s, when this place looked very different from what you see today. There was no panoramic terrace, no beach club and no restaurant as you know it now. There were wooden structures, straw roofs, simple tables and a family that welcomed everyone who arrived at Citara Beach with the warmth and generosity that have always been part of Ischia's culture.
At the heart of it all was my grandmother Elena. Together with my father Gianfranco, my mother Maria and the rest of our family, she prepared homemade lasagna, traditional pasta dishes, grilled fish, fresh salads, cakes and cappuccinos for the many visitors who spent their holidays near the famous Poseidon Thermal Gardens. Most of our guests were German families who returned summer after summer. Those were different times. The season lasted from June until the end of September, life moved more slowly and people stayed long enough to become friends rather than simply customers.
The name Gabbiano comes from the small rock known as Scoglio del Gabbiano, which still stands just offshore in front of the restaurant and has become part of the view that accompanies every sunset.
Over the years, Gabbiano Beach grew alongside our family. My grandfather Giacomo, a skilled carpenter, built many of the first wooden structures. The masonry work was carried out by my father Gianfranco together with my uncles Nunzio, Tommaso and Luigi, whose dedication helped shape the place you see today. When we were granted the beach concession, my grandfather Francesco also joined the project, taking care of the beach alongside the rest of the family.
Today, Gabbiano Beach is still very much a family business. Gianfranco leads the kitchen with the experience of a lifetime spent cooking. Maria looks after administration and welcomes our guests with the same warmth she always has. I, Francesco, take care of communication, organisation, marketing and the development of The Ischia Guide, while continuing to work alongside my family every day. Although our roles have evolved over the years, our goal has never changed: we want every guest to feel genuinely welcome.
Our philosophy is remarkably simple. We want every person who leaves Gabbiano Beach to go home thinking:
"It was worth it. I can't wait to come back."
Everything we do begins with that idea. Hospitality, attention to detail, carefully selected ingredients and genuine kindness have always been the values that guide our work. They weren't learned in hospitality school—they were passed down through our family.
Every morning begins by looking at the sea. The catch changes every day, and no two mornings are ever the same. We have worked with many local fishermen and suppliers for decades, while carefully selecting trusted partners on the mainland to complement what the island can offer whenever necessary.
We often say something that perfectly describes our approach:
"We don't just choose the fish. The fish chooses us too."
It means we never serve something simply because it's listed on the menu. If a particular product doesn't meet our standards that day, we'd rather recommend something else. Quality has always come before everything else.
Then comes the moment that defines Gabbiano Beach more than any other: sunset.
For us, sunset is much more than a beautiful view. It has become the most important moment of every day. As the sun slowly reaches the horizon, the atmosphere changes completely. Some guests stand up to take photographs, others walk down to the shoreline, couples embrace, glasses are raised and, from time to time, someone chooses that exact moment to propose. Even after all these years, I still find myself taking photos and videos almost every evening. Every sunset is different. The colours change, the clouds move, the sea reflects the light in a new way and nature reminds us that no two evenings are ever alike.
Just before sunset, we lower every beach umbrella.
It's a small gesture, but one that means a great deal to us. We want every guest to have an uninterrupted view of the sea and the horizon. For a few minutes, nothing else matters. There is only the sound of the waves, the fading light and one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island of Ischia.
If someone asked me how to experience the perfect evening at Gabbiano Beach, I would suggest arriving around 7:30 pm. Start with an aperitif while watching the sun slowly approach the sea. Then sit down for dinner without rushing. A tuna tartare, our signature Paccheri alla Francesco, prepared with freshly filleted fish and sweet Piennolo tomatoes, followed by a local sea bream, dentex or pezzogna, depending on what the sea has offered that day. A bottle of wine—or perhaps Champagne if you're celebrating something special—and then simply allow yourself to enjoy the evening at its own pace.
Over more than sixty years we have welcomed thousands of guests. Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, marriage proposals and families who return every summer have all become part of our story. It would be impossible to choose just one unforgettable memory. The moments we remember most, however, are often those that taught us something. Every challenge has helped us improve, and every piece of feedback has made us better. Our work doesn't end when the food reaches the table. It ends when we see our guests leave with a smile.
In recent years, another project naturally grew from these conversations with our guests: The Ischia Guide.
Every day people asked us where to find the best beaches, where to watch the sunset, which villages to visit or where to discover authentic local traditions. Eventually we realised that sharing our island had become just as important as serving dinner.
During the 1980s many visitors stayed on Ischia for weeks, sometimes even months. There was time to get to know each other, to build friendships and to truly experience the island. Today holidays are often much shorter. Many visitors leave before they have had the chance to discover what makes Ischia so special.
That is one of the reasons why The Ischia Guide was created: to help travellers slow down, experience the island through local eyes and leave already looking forward to returning.
For us, Gabbiano Beach has never been just a restaurant. It is our family's home, the place where we grew up and the place from which we have shared our love for Ischia for more than sixty years. If, when you leave, you feel that you have experienced not only a wonderful meal but also a small piece of the island's true soul, then we will have achieved exactly what we set out to do.
