Ilario Imperial Pizzeria, Mojacar’s best Italian restaurant

The Ilario Imperial Pizzeria in Mojacar has been part of the local dining scene for longer than many of its regular customers can remember. For over two decades, the family behind one of Mojacar’s best restaurants has maintained a strong reputation for attentive service and consistently high-quality food. The focus has always been on traditional cooking methods and authentic Italian recipes, delivered with care and attention to detail.

Well worth the price

Probably the best thing about Ilario Imperial Pizzeria is the atmosphere. There’s no rush to order, eat and leave. Servers are quick to see to your every need and are especially skilled at refilling your wine glass, but customers are free to dine at their own leisure. It makes for an incredible relaxed experience, where the focus is on appreciating the food, not scarfing it down.

It’s a little on the pricy side – starters, for example, range from €12 to €19 – but don’t be scared off. The quality is more than worth the price point, and the big portion sizes ensure each customer gets their money’s worth. In fact, when it comes to the starters, it’s probably best to share if you want to save room for your main meal.

The best place for pizza and pasta

First time diners are naturally drawn to the pizza’s and pasta dishes, and rightfully so. Everything here is freshly homemade, and that’s best exemplified in these meals. Pasta dough is hand rolled, portioned up on sight and paired with a delicious sauce packed with flavour. Pizza dough is mixed and kneaded with care, before being topped with all the fixings and cooked until perfectly crispy.

The kitchen’s approach is simple but effective, relying on good ingredients and traditional techniques rather than unnecessary complication.

Don’t be scared to branch out

However, if you’re fortunate enough to return for a second visit, you’ll be rewarded for branching out. Give their steaks or fish dishes a try – the muscles are incredible, and the steak is always a melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

If, by some miracle, you have room for dessert, there’s plenty of Italian staples to choose from. Panna Cotta, Lemon Sorbet, and the fruity concoction of the Festival Cup all make for a refreshing final bite, while the Brownie, Tiramisu or Nutella Pizza will satisfy any sweet tooth.

And of course, no visit to Ilario Imperial Pizzeria is complete without the iconic limoncello shot at the end, the perfect exclamation point on an excellent evening.

Ilario Imperial Pizzeria can be found at Paseo del Mediterraneo. To book a table contact 950 478 098 or visit their website.