House dishPolpo alla Gallega
€13Steamed octopus with potatoes and sweet smoked paprika — Antonio's Galician tradition.
Spanish cuisine · 35 minutes from La Spezia
The Spanish restaurant of Lunigiana
Since 1977, the cooking Antonio Novoa brought from Galicia: family paella, pulpo a la gallega, zarzuela. In Mulazzo, 35 minutes from La Spezia.
El Caracol is the Spanish-cuisine restaurant of Lunigiana, 35 minutes by car from La Spezia. Founded in 1977 by Galician cook Antonio Novoa with Elsa Giannardi, it serves the family paella (from €16), pulpo a la gallega (€13), zarzuela catalana (€13) and Lunigiana dishes. 4.6★ on Google with over 600 reviews.
Since 1977
Spain arrived here in a suitcase
Spanish cooking here is not a trend: it's a biography. Antonio Novoa was born and raised in Galicia, and when he opened El Caracol in 1977 he brought his home recipes with him — the paella, the octopus, the zarzuela, the sangria.
Beside him, Elsa Giannardi of Mulazzo: hers is the Lunigiana soul of our table — the testaroli, the herb pie, the roots of this valley, which are ours too. Today his son Gianmarco works here with Federica in the kitchen, and their three sons in the dining room: for anyone living in or passing through La Spezia, Sarzana and the Cinque Terre, this is the closest Spain gets — with Lunigiana at heart.
From the menu
The Spanish dishes of the house
Today's menu prices and ingredients. And alongside them, our Lunigiana soul: testaroli, ravioli, fish and pizzas.
House dish
House dishCatalana di Gamberoni
€20Steamed king prawns with fruit, crudité vegetables and balsamic glaze.
Anchoas del Cantabrico
€12Premium Cantabrian Sea anchovies with toasted bread and herb butter.
Caracoles
€9Land snails Bourguignonne style (6 pieces), with butter and breadcrumbs: a house classic.
Please tell us about any allergies when booking: every dish lists its allergens on the online menu.
The signature dish
And then there is her: our paella
The recipe Antonio brought from Galicia, refined over three generations into the dish that defines us. Three versions — Valenciana, Mista and squid-ink Mulata — made to order, naturally gluten-free. We dedicated a whole page to it.
Discover our paellaStudio Aperto MAG · Italia 1
The corner of Spain in Lunigiana, on national TV
In 2026 Italia 1 told the story of El Caracol in a dedicated feature: the Novoa family, the terrace over Mulazzo and the Spanish cooking that has lived here for almost fifty years.
In their words
“Long live this corner of Spain in Lunigiana”
4.6 stars on Google with over 600 reviews.
“We came for the paella — absolutely outstanding, well worth driving an hour for. Knowledgeable and welcoming staff. Long live this little corner of Spain in Lunigiana.”
Alessandro F.
“We came all the way from Milan specifically to try their paella and I have to say it is genuinely good and generous. A lovely restaurant with welcoming and attentive staff. Highly recommended, well worth the trip.”
Stefano S.
“Wonderful location with views over the village of Mulazzo, charming and clean room, excellent restaurant and superb service, all perfectly run by a wonderful family.”
Antonia C.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask us
Is El Caracol really a Spanish restaurant?
Yes. It was founded in 1977 by Antonio Novoa, a cook from Galicia, together with Elsa Giannardi from Mulazzo. The Spanish recipes — the family paella, pulpo a la gallega, zarzuela — have lived alongside Lunigiana cuisine for almost fifty years.
How far are you from La Spezia?
About 35 minutes by car, just off the A15 motorway. We are in Mulazzo, in Lunigiana: many guests come from La Spezia, Sarzana and the Cinque Terre — and parking here is free.
Do I need to book?
We recommend it, especially at weekends and in summer. Message us on WhatsApp or call 0187 439707: we reply the same day.
What do first-time guests usually order?
Almost always the paella (three versions, from €16 per person) and the pulpo a la gallega. The online menu lists every dish with up-to-date prices and allergens.
Do you also serve Italian food and pizza?
Yes: alongside the Spanish dishes you'll find testaroli with pesto, ravioli, fish and pizzas. That's our double soul — Spanish and Lunigianese — since 1977.
Your Spanish evening, 35 minutes away.
Book with a message: we reply the same day. Booking recommended at weekends.
Want to stay the night? The rooms are right above the restaurant: see where to sleep in Mulazzo