If you are preparing for a trip to Genoa, an essential step in your agenda must be the MOG.
Of course, Genoa is one of the most beautiful cities in our country that has much to offer its tourists and one of these attractions is definitely the Mercato Orientale di Genova, which has become a reference point for those who love to eat well using healthy and natural ingredients.
After the renovation of the historic structure, the MOG has become a reference point not only for the inhabitants of Genoa but also for thousands of tourists who visit this wonderful city every year.
Let’s explore it together in detail.
History of the Mercato Orientale
On a par with the many spectacular gastronomic markets of our continent, Genoa’s Mercato Orientale has become one of the ten most important city markets in Europe, bringing back to life not only a forgotten space but also offering everyone its unique historical and architectural value.
The structure of the Mercato Orientale in Genoa was intended to be used as a convent attached to the church of Nostra Signora della Consolazione back in 1684.
Construction began in 1699 but was never completed, so at the beginning of the nineteenth century, it began to function as a market for some shops and traders in the area, until it was finally used as a market in Genoa thanks to the rapid expansion of the city.
Today it is an ideal place where the past embraces the present with an innovative structure where you can exhibit typical products.
Under its crystal roof is the Piazza del Gusto surrounded by restaurants, wine bars and ice cream parlours to satisfy all palates and the needs of tourists who visit it.
In this market, you will live a unique visual and olfactory experience thanks to the stalls of fruits and vegetables, cheeses, fish shops and butchers.
You can also shop for spices, legumes, frozen bread and everything you need to bring home fresh and healthy ingredients.
You will also find all the typical Genoese products such as basil, oil from the Ligurian Riviera and anchovies in the salt of the Ligurian Sea.
After this brief discussion on the Eastern Market, let’s discover the MOG Project together.
What is the MOG Genova project?
This project was born from a group of friends who, travelling around the world and visiting different markets, decided to give Genoa back a market worthy of its name.
Thus began the restructuring to relaunch the Eastern Market and bring it among the ten most important markets in the city throughout our continent.
The renovation project was created not only to revitalize this space in a contemporary and innovative way but also always respected its historical and architectural value.
Conceived to be unique in its kind, without taking inspiration from any other market but remaining tied to the locality and Genoese tradition.
Obviously one of the strengths of the MOG is always gastronomy, using compostable materials to achieve a quality of products processed by expert chefs from Genoa.
It’s a small window of Genoa from the world where you can eat well.
Restaurants inside the MOG
Inside, as promised, you will find several restaurants of the highest quality offering typical Genoese recipes using only local products.
Within its 2,000-square-foot perimeter are 11 food counters, a bar, and plenty of seating where you can enjoy in peace the exquisite recipes prepared by expert chefs.
La Carne dal 1946
Nomen omen for this corner run by Francesco Caietta and Cinzia Cevasco, butchers for three generations who treat a meat with a capital C with kid gloves.
A happy island for purists of the genre, where quality is a constant that is expressed in the combination of Piedmontese Scottona meat and great products of the Ligurian territory: from the Quarantina potato to the Cenerino bean to the Zerli onion.
Glam Fish
Sushi, fish butters and colorful poke are the daily offerings at this corner, led by Brazilian chef Bruno Jose, a top sushi man who worked in renowned restaurants throughout Brazil before coming to Italy.
The sushi-a mixture of nigiri, rolls and hosomaki to satisfy any appetite-is freshly prepared, as are the colorful poke.
The Scolapasta
One eye on tradition and one on the future.
This is the philosophy behind Danilo and Silvia’s cuisine, created in collaboration with Luca “Dei Pronti” and Macelleria Da Luca.
The common thread is Genoese tradition, with great fresh pasta classics and other dishes declined according to seasonality.
Among their tricks up their sleeve are tortelli di magro and chestnut trofie.
All always and strictly handmade.
Genovese Gastronomic Workshop
Known throughout the city, a true laboratory that interprets typical local dishes and all the traditional recipes that have accompanied entire generations.
A poor but great-tasting cuisine that takes shape every day in the legendary panissa, but also in fried foods or savory pies, giving a perfect expression of Mediterranean cuisine.
One of the best pestos you will ever try, and if you are in Genoa and do not taste this recipe you cannot say that you have really visited this city entirely.
Stuffed vegetables, fried tripe, farinata and other typical local dishes you can enjoy in this excellent value for money restaurant.
Mi Rico Peru
This is the Latin soul of MOG, a corner that surprises with its freshness and pleasantly spicy dishes like the raw fish ceviche.
A healthy and varied cuisine that stems from a mix of techniques, cultures and ingredients but that in this corner’s interpretation is at the same time extremely contemporary and refined.
Landi Pizza & Crunch
This is MOG’s pizzeria, where Roland Doda’s talent and passion is expressed.
Only unrefined flours rich in fiber, from stone-ground Italian wheat, for doughs with very long rising times and high hydration.
Same care for the raw materials: refined, often local and organic.
Four options: pizzas and pints are joined by crunches – sandwiches crispy on the outside and soft on the inside – and conchas, a kind of Arabic bread made with pizza dough.
Contemporary Vineria
Food calls for wine.
And MOG responds with a Contemporary Vineria that offers the possibility of tasting at any time of the day, 250 labels, 40 of them by the glass, always available.
This is the big attraction, made possible by the innovative Wineemotion system, the refrigerated wine dispenser that preserves the qualities of wine for about four weeks thanks to the injection of inert gas inside the bottle.
This makes it possible to find by the glass even great wines, those that are rarely sloshed by the glass.
It is not just a matter of quantity, however.
Indeed, behind the Vineria’s labels there is continuous scouting work.
The Vineria is therefore a convenient corner from which to discover Ligurian viticulture, and then the productions of the best Italian terroirs.
Space is also given to the rest of the world, France in primis, with different types of Champagne, but also the great Pinot Noirs of Burgundy.
Accompanying, in addition to the smiles of experts Riccardo and Giuditta, selected platters of cheeses and cured meats in addition to the proposals of all the gastronomic corners, in full MOG spirit.
Vineria MOG genova
Then there can be no shortage of events.
Let’s banish the technicalities, because they are conceived as opportunities for fun and culture.
With S-Tralci, the tasting meetings organized in Vineria every first and third Thursday of the month, wine is drunk and told together with those who produce it.
While Saperi e Bicchieri, are the “drank and explained” aperitifs that every Wednesday evening bring together wine enthusiasts and experts on the topics of wine, beer and mixed drinks with a decidedly original, very informal slant.
Finally, MOG’s propensity for wine is certified by the presence of Fisar, which has chosen this space for its wine courses (Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.).
Hostaria al Mercato
Those looking instead for a more structured, but still informal, stop will find the Hostaria al Mercato, in a splendid interior terrace that offers perspective from above with the striking windows and the sky of Genoa at their fingertips.
The Hostaria’s philosophy is to tell the story of the products of the territory – land or sea – to accompany guests in a cuisine in which Genoa and the Old Town are enhanced through the flavors of tradition, but also with an eye to the contemporary.
How to get to the MOG
The MOG is located in the center of Genoa overlooking the Via XX Settembre from the north side. For this reason it also becomes easily accessible by any means of transport.
By car
If you want to reach the Mercato Orientale by car without getting caught up in city traffic, you can park in these areas and continue towards the centre by public transport:
- Park Di Negro: interchange car park at a reduced rate located in Via Bruno Buozzi can be reached directly from the Genova Ovest motorway exit.
- Park Piazzale Marassi: can be reached from the Genova Est motorway exit.
If you want to enter the center with your car you have the possibility to park in the parking lots of Piazza della Vittoria or the Autopark Piccapietra near the street XX Settembre.
You can also park your car in the Ponte Monumentale street car park, just a few steps from the entrance to Genoa’s Mercato Orientale.
By public transport
As mentioned above, you can also reach the Mog by public transport.
For those who have reached Genoa by train, Genoa’s Mercato Orientale is just a 10-minute walk from Brignole Station.
What’s more, you’ll also have the opportunity to reach the centre by underground, getting off at the Brignole stop and continuing on foot for a few minutes.
I strongly recommend you to take a walk around the city to admire the unique beauties that Genoa has to offer to all its visitors.
Useful information
Timetable:
- Monday 08-00
- Tuesday 08-00
- Wednesday 08-00
- Thursday 08-00
- Friday 08-01
- Saturday 08-01
- Sunday 10-00
Address: Via XX Settembre, 75, 16124 Genova GE
Telephone: +39 010 897 3000
Email: info@moggenova.it
Official website: www.moggenova.it
