The family paella in Lunigiana, since 1977
At El Caracol in Mulazzo: a recipe brought from Galicia by Antonio Novoa in 1977. Our signature dish for almost fifty years.
Looking for paella in Lunigiana? El Caracol in Mulazzo (35 minutes from La Spezia) has served Paella Valenciana since 1977, following the recipe of Antonio Novoa, who arrived from Galicia in the 1970s. The house signature dish, available Wednesday–Sunday at lunch and dinner.
The paella that defines us
El Caracol's paella is the recipe Antonio Novoa brought from Galicia when he opened the restaurant in 1977 with Elsa Giannardi. For almost fifty years it has been the dish that defines us. Over time it has become the symbol of the house, more than the menu itself: over 60% of our Google reviews mention it by name, and for many guests it's the very reason for the trip to Mulazzo.
The three paellas on the menu
The menu features three versions of paella:
Paella Valenciana — €16
King prawns, squid, calamari, mussels, clams, shrimp and seasonal vegetables.
Paella Mista — €18
Surf and turf: the seafood mix with the addition of chicken and pork.
Paella Mulata — €16
With squid ink, squid, calamari, shrimp, clams and vegetables.
What our guests say
We hold 4.6★ on Google with over 600 verified reviews. In 2026 Italia 1 (national Italian TV) ran a feature on our paella on Studio Aperto MAG. But the recognition that matters most is word of mouth: many guests travel from La Spezia, Parma and the Cinque Terre just for it.
Come and try it
Booking ahead is the best way to guarantee your table: online seats are limited to 25 covers per service.