Must see restaurants in Lake Como

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Il Comacino
A new venture affiliated with the plush Avenue Hotel, Comacino offers food as theatre, especially if you sit at the chef’s table (technically a couple of…
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Osteria Sali e Tabacchi
Tucked away in the hamlet of Maggiana, signposted 3km uphill from lakeside Mandello del Lario (home to the legendary Moto Guzzi motorcycle manufacturer),…
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Materia
The talk of the town is this enticing Zen-like space, a 10-minute walk from the waterfront. Materia sources many herbs (including unusual varieties) and…
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Antica Trattoria del Risorgimento
Tucked down a narrow lane in the tiny village of Mezzegra, this wonderful old stone building with its dark wood furnishings (including antique fireplace)…
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Cascina Respaù
Amid the lush greenery high above Como, this small rustic restaurant feels like an idyllic escape from the sometimes maddening crowds along the lake…
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Osteria del Gallo
An ageless osteria (casual tavern) that looks exactly the part. In the wood-lined checker-clothed dining room, wine bottles and other goodies fill the…
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Natta Café
Atmosphere counts for a lot in this old stone-arched cafe-cum-bistro-cum–wine bar. Add mood lighting, mezzanine tables, and a trance-y music soundtrack to…
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Ittiturismo da Abate
Most dishes at Slow Food–focused Da Abate feature fish that's been caught that day in the lake (the restaurant will only open if they've caught enough),…
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Al Veluu
Situated on a steep hillside with panoramic lake views from its terrace, this excellent restaurant serves up home-cooked dishes that are prepared with…
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Ristorante Silvio
Clocking up 100 years of service in 2019, all of them under the same family tutelage, Silvio continues to serve simple lake-to-table food at reasonable…
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Trattoria La Vignetta
A five-minute uphill walk from the waterfront along a jasmine-perfumed residential lane, this hotel restaurant sits atop a little rise. Inside, the timber…
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La Cucina di Marianna
With its shady terrace jutting out over the water, this is about the most romantic spot you could choose to eat around the Cadenabbia area. Marianna cooks…
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Gatto Nero
The jet set loves this elegant eatery high above Cernobbio, and for good reason. Book a front-row table and you'll have unobstructed views of the lake…
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Ristorante da Rino
When the (acclaimed) specialities of the house all involve truffles, you know you're onto a good thing. They're all over the menu here, including truffles…
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Il Cavatappi
Set along a narrow pedestrian lane in the upper part of Varenna, Il Cavatappi is an intimate spot with just seven tables set amid arched ceilings and…
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Enoteca 84
Set outside Como's pedestrianised core, Enoteca 84 is a snug local restaurant carrying a well-curated list of local wines. It serves a handful of…
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Crotto del Sergente
Although it's a bit of a trek (4km southeast of Como's centre), the delectable Slow Food cooking at this characterful crotto ('grotto') makes it well…
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Varenna Caffè Bistrot
Should you need ‘una pausa’ while you’re waiting for your Varenna ferry, enter this nouveau-rustic bistro-cafe and peruse the cake case (the chocolate and…
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Mystic Burger
Come the weekend and you’ll be hard-pressed to squeeze into the grotto-style dining room of this burger joint where young comaschi come to down Baladin…
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Trattoria del Fagiano
A short climb above the SS340 road and Moltrasio, you'll stumble across this easygoing, family affair. 'The Pheasant' serves no-nonsense local food (fish…