The sweet and simple Carmen Bay cafe right on the water’s edge at Macchiatonda, right down the hill from Capalbio and on the coast behind Capalbio Scalo. It’s a simple wooden structure and patio, with wide canvas canopies and a narrow strip of beach that stretches for miles in either direction.

The very chic and beautiful La Macchia bar, restaurant, and member’s club is right next to it, but Macchiatonda is charming in its simplicity, which we love about it. There’s lots of parking right behind the beach, the food is terrific, the water is lovely, and the staff and people are friendly.