Lake Como West Bank
The frontier village of Erbonne has had an eatery for more than 100 years. It has moved from house to house, snaking up in its present charming location…
Must-see restaurants in The Italian Lakes
Lake Maggiore West Bank
With its rambling rooms, fish-themed portico and upstairs pergola-and-balcony dining area, this is the best of the few spots on Isola Bella for home…
Mantua
After several hours wandering around the gargantuan Palazzo Ducale, getting neck-ache looking at frescoes, you’ll probably appreciate a quick light lunch…
Lake Como
Ironically, it's lake-fish specialities that pack the menu at 'the Little Pony', a Slow Food eatery set on Varenna's quay. Among the highlights are…
Bergamo
Welcome to the fastest ‘Slow Food’ you’ll ever eat. Service in this environmentally conscious deli-restaurant is best described as breezy: you’ll be…
Lake Maggiore West Bank
What is possibly Largo Maggiore's most romantic restaurant has a waterside terrace and views of the illuminated Rocca di Angera fortress at night. The…
Lake Como West Bank
Known for its fine fish dishes, the Blue Tavern is in a lovely spot down from the main road at lake level in Sala Comacina (located 1.5km southwest of…
Lake Como & Around
Osteria del Crotto serves a whole slew of Slow Food Movement–authenticated products such as violino di capra della Valchiavenna (literally ‘violin goat of…
Lake Garda
There's a clockwork efficiency about Cristallo that isn't always present in tourist-heavy lakeside cafes in Italy. Plying ice cream since 1892, the 60…
Lake Iseo
Only those of strong resolve will manage to walk past the al fresco bar at this deli-restaurant on Peschiera Maraglio’s harbourfront without stopping…
Central Lombardy
This agreeable country hotel about halfway along the wild and woolly Taleggio valley has a simple restaurant downstairs where a good number of the…
Bergamo
Boiled cornmeal (aka polenta) might not be the most handy of fast foods, but this small hole-in-the-wall will soon have you grabbing a takeout. Styling…
Lake Garda
If you're looking for a real local experience, book a table at this wood-panelled travellers inn on the road to Tenno. It's been run by the same family…
Lake Como West Bank
On the steps leading down to Rezzonico's waterfront, this simple family-run locanda (inn) has been serving up serving up Como specialities since the 19th…
Milan
Owned by a Dutch chef and a Japanese entrepreneur, this noodle bar offers seasonal ramen dishes with Italo-Asian condiments like aubergine and miso as…
Milan
When the Quad’s most historic restaurant, Bagutta 1924, closed in 2014, residents were aghast. But now Bagutta is back as one of the offerings in this…
Como
Ride the funicular up to Brunate to dine in this peaceful historic villa a few steps up from the top station, with great views over the lake. The place is…
Central Lombardy
With several dining areas, an outdoor pergola for summer meals, and a privileged position overlooking the surrounding territory, La Collina (aptly, The…
Mantua
Wooden chairs scrape against the tiled floor as diners eagerly tuck into Slow Food–accredited culatello di Zibello (lard) at this 250-year-old trattoria…
Como
Going strong since 1958, Castiglioni's wonderful deli has evolved to include an enoteca (wine bar; situated 50m around the corner) and a lunch-only…
Lake Garda
If you’re just off the Lake Garda ferry from ‘down south’ (ie Lombardy), welcome to Trentino where Teutonic influences prevail and sausages are king. If…
Duomo & San Babila
The 3rd-floor bistro of the Museo del Novecento offers extraordinary views over the Duomo. The artful decor combines beaux-arts brasswork, velvet sofas…
Orta San Giulio
The beauty of this Venus is in the setting: lakeside with a cafe below decks and views of soporific Isola San Giulio floating on the water. If you can get…
Milan
While the rest of Tortona modernises at breakneck speed, this gorgeous Liberty-style restaurant firmly resists fashion fads. Comfortable buttoned-down…
Milan
Deliberately kitsch, rustic interiors – checked tablecloths, strings of garlic, straw flagons – a loud crush of diners and excellent Roman cooking are the…
Como
Sartoria is part cafe plying its own coffee beans (backed up by muffins and toasted panini), and part bike store selling cycling paraphernalia – we’re…
Stresa
Reminding you that Lake Maggiore's west shore is in Piedmont, this refined dining room peddles such regional delicacies as gnocchi with Gorgonzola and…
Sirmione
A small restaurant close to Sirmione’s castle with tables pushed close together and every inch of wall covered by a mix of old movie stills and wispy…
Duomo & San Babila
Iginio Massari has topped pretty much every pastry guide, is a winner of Venice’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement and is a master of northern Italy’s…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
Recipe for instant nostalgia: take the landmark building where Ho Chi Minh stayed in the '30s, add literary types from nearby publishing houses, mix with…
Lake Maggiore & Around
A Varese stalwart for fine cooking, Ristorante Teatro serves up fresh local specialities with an emphasis on the best ingredients rather than frilly…
Milan
Get ready for a serious tummy-cramming session in this architecturally elegant space: amberjack marinated in cherry vinegar with seaweed salad; pigeon…
Lake Como
Set 1100m up a mountain and surrounded by pine forests, this delightful agriturismo offers awe-inspiring views of Lago di Mezzola. The delicious country…
Lake Maggiore & Around
New York–style decor meets Italian trattoria at this attractive place in the old town. The owners have a number of well-regarded restaurants around the…
Corso Magenta & Sant'Ambrogio
Decorated in bold, bright colours reminiscent of the south, Pino and Max Zucca's neighbourhood restaurant brings a first-class taste of Sardinia to Milan…
Lake Iseo
For an intimate ambience and fine local fare head to this excellent eatery where a barrel ceiling sits above rough stone walls. 'The Bear's Den' is hidden…
Milan
Beautiful Potafiori run by jazz singer and florist Rosalba Piccinni is full of flowers, food and fun. In the morning, long stone benches are laden with…
Milan
A real Milanese will tell you that those thin, battered 'elephant ears' that currently masquerade as cotoletta alla milanese are a poor imitation of the…
Porta Garibaldi & Isola
This Sempione branch of the well-known enoteca chain has a lovely light dining room and charming staff. Popular Italian dishes such as Fassone beef in…
Antica Hosteria del Vino Buono
Bergamo
Feast on typical dishes like cheese-sprinkled casoncelli alla Bergamasca (homemade pasta cushions filled with a spicy sausage meat and laced with a…
