Lombardy and the Lakes Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Lombardy and the Lakes - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Al Donizetti

    $$

    Find a table in the back of this central, cheerful restaurant before choosing local cured meats and cheeses to accompany your wine. A few versions of polenta, daily pastas, and other heartier dishes are also available; just save room for the desserts, which go well with the sweet wines.

    Via Gombito 17/a, Bergamo, Lombardy, 24129, Italy
    035-242661

    Known For

    • Beef tartare
    • 900-bottle wine selection with many by the glass
    • Chocolate desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
  • 2. Eta Beta

    $

    Matteo Mutti's gelato flavors have personality. Like cheesecake with red pepper, rosemary, and pineapple, which might sound strange, but leaves a delightful impression on your taste buds. Other standouts are "Anni '90," inspired by Mutti's favorite tastes of the '90s—sour cherry and chocolate chip—and "Disaronno," swirled with a Lombardy liquor that is infused from apricot pits. The classics like pistachio and vanilla are also represented along with a selection of gelato popsicles, cakes, and sundaes in cups, cones, or brioche bread, to add even more flavor combinations. Mutti—who is also the inspiration for the gelateria's logo—is often behind the counter serving up his inventive creations. There are a few small tables, or better, enjoy your gelato while exploring Riva.

    Via Disciplini 14, Riva del Garda, Trentino-Alto Adige, 38066, Italy
    0464-554614

    Known For

    • Gelato flavors that you won't find elsewhere
    • Fun atmosphere
    • Wide selection of cones, sundaes, and sizes

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Nov.--Mar.
  • 3. Feel Como

    $$$

    Your palate will travel from the lakes (eel with leek) to the countryside (hay risotto) to the mountains (tripe), all from the comfort of your table, at this cozy stone-arched eatery tucked into Como's commercial district. Expect creative takes on Italian cuisine, like deconstructed ravioli, using both local and more exotic ingredients, best sampled with a tasting menu.

    Via Generale Armando Diaz 54, Como, Lombardy, 22100, Italy
    0334-7264545

    Known For

    • Witty variations on local cuisine
    • Gorgeous platings
    • Extensive wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Wed.–Fri.
  • 4. La Locanda dell'Isola

    $$$$

    For an unforgettable dining experience, head to Sala Comacina (a 10-minute drive south of Tremezzo) and take a five-minute speedboat ride to Lake Como's only island, Isola Comacina. Here you'll be treated to the same set menu that's been served at La Locanda since 1947: veggie antipasti; thinly sliced prosciutto and bresaola; grilled trout; fried chicken with salad; Parmesan cheese sliced from an enormous wheel; oranges or peaches with ice cream; and brandied coffee set afire with a dramatic flourish, while charismatic owner Benvenuto Puricelli regales you with tales of the island's history. The views are phenomenal, the stories are fun, and the food is better than it needs to be. Work off your meal afterward by hiking around the tranquil island.

    Isola Comacina, Lombardy, 22010, Italy
    0344-55083

    Known For

    • <PRO>wonderful scenery, history, and lore</PRO>
    • <PRO>rustic, tasty set menus</PRO>
    • <PRO>cash-only operation</PRO>

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. (except in summer) and Nov.–Feb., No credit cards, Reservations essential
  • 5. Materia

    $$$

    This aesthetically simple bistro-style restaurant, spruced up with modern art, draws a mainly local crowd for some of the most inventive food creations and presentation in the Como region. The imaginative Asian-inspired cuisine (think steamed partridge with smoked eel butter), makes good use of local ingredients like lake fish, and the frequently changing surprise five-, seven-, or twelve-course tasting menus are a particular delight, especially when paired with the mostly natural wines on offer.

    Via Cinque Giornate 32, Cernobbio, Lombardy, 22012, Italy
    031-2075548

    Known For

    • Use of organic herbs and vegetables from their greenhouse
    • Seasonally changing dishes
    • Italian and international wines from small producers

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Pasticceria Duomo

    $

    This portal to the past opened in 1883 and still serves up such handmade local delights as pan torrone (a loaf cake made with chunks of nougat) and torta cremona (a cake made with almond flour and filled with Amarena cherries). A relaxing stop between visiting museums, it's the perfect place to have a cappuccino.

    Via Boccaccino 6, Cremona, Lombardy, 26100, Italy
    0372-22273

    Known For

    • Torrone (nougat) in many shapes and sizes
    • Old-world charm
    • Seasonal decorated cakes and pastries

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
  • 7. Ristorante La Punta

    $$

    When tourist-heavy Bellagio starts to wear you down, seek respite at this charming restaurant located on the town’s very northernmost point, a scenic 10-minute walk from the center, with amazing lake views of Varenna to the north and Tremezzo to the west. As you might expect, the menu is heavy on lake fish; although the dishes aren't innovative, they're fresh and well prepared, and the view makes the experience even better. The antipasto di lago (mixed fish platter) and patè di pesce (fish pâté) make great starters; among mains, the baked lasagna and the gnocchi with cream and Gorgonzola sauce get rave reviews. End the meal right, with a freshly made cake or tiramisu.

    Via Eugenio Vitali 19, Bellagio, Lombardy, 22021, Italy
    031-951888

    Known For

    • Superfresh fish
    • Superlative Lake Como views
    • Friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Nov.–Mar., Reservations essential
  • 8. Ristorante Lastresa

    $$

    The nondescript exterior of this buzzy eatery off one of Stresa's main streets belies its chic, stylish interior. Dishes made with seasonal ingredients dominate the menu, but, no matter the season, you'll find local lake fish, both marinated and panfried, as well as a solid list of wines from throughout the region and across Italy.

    Via Principessa Margherita 22, Stresa, Piedmont, 28838, Italy
    0323-33240

    Known For

    • Locals' favorite
    • Friendly, knowledgeable waitstaff
    • Piedmont dessert sampler

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Sept.–Mar.
  • 9. Ristorante Lido 84

    $$$$

    Dining in this bright, airy space feels like enjoying a meal in a fabulous friend’s modern lake cottage—if the friend had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Garda and a top-notch chef on hand. For an adventure in flavors from across the country, choose from two tasting menus (either "the classics" or one with “surprise” dishes chosen by the chef) and complement your meal with Italian or international wines in four- or five-glass pairings. 

    Corso Zanardelli 196, Gardone Riviera, Lombardy, 25083, Italy
    0365-20019

    Known For

    • Unusual ingredients from all across Italy
    • Rose cake with zabaglione
    • Exquisite lake setting

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues., Wed., and early Jan.–mid-Feb.
  • 10. Ambasciata

    $$$$

    Heralded as one of Italy's classic gourmet restaurants, Ambasciata (Italian for "embassy") emphasizes elegance in tiny Quistello, 20 km (12 miles) southeast of Mantua. Those who are willing to make the trek (and pay the bill) can order à la carte or opt for the tasting menu (from €80) with an ever-changing array of traditionally inspired creations, such as the famed tortelli di zucca (pumpkin tortelli with pumpkin cream and Parmigiano-Reggiano), or mains like guinea fowl with mostarda (a sweet-and-sour mustard from Mantua), and roast pigeon with 25-year reserve balsamic vinegar.

    Piazzetta Ambasciatori del Gusto 1, Quistello, Lombardy, 46026, Italy
    0376-619169

    Known For

    • Intricate cuisine coupled with classics
    • Whimsical setting
    • Attentive service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations essential
  • 11. Anagramma

    $

    Communal garden tables and atrium seating in a space that's also Cernobbio's tourist info point make for a pleasant stop for a coffee and pastry, light lunch, or aperitif. Baked goods, such as apple and frangipane (almond cream) cake and sourdough bread for sandwiches and tagliere plates (with local cheese, salumi, and lake fish), are made daily in-house. There's a friendly local atmosphere and the restaurant's staff are supported by the nonprofit organization Comet, which provides jobs for young adults and teens with disabilities. Proceeds from the cookies and pies for sale to take away also benefit the organization.

    Largo Alfredo Campanini 1, Cernobbio, Lombardy, 22012, Italy
    031-4446483

    Known For

    • Relaxed garden setting
    • House-made breakfast pastries and bread
    • Convenient stop on the way to other lake towns

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 12. Cantina Follie

    $

    This cantina's leafy patio is reached by hiking up the stairs into the neighborhood above Tremezzo. There's a collection of more than 300 wines to sample along with tagliere (cutting boards) of local cheeses, preserved meats, and vegetarian and vegan options. For something sweet, try the semifreddo of the day, or a chocolate tasting.

    Via Alessandro Volta 14, Tremezzo, Lombardy, 22019, Italy
    0344-42311

    Known For

    • Shady setting away from the main street
    • Cheese and wine pairings
    • Local products

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Dec.–Feb.
  • 13. Cicinin Panini al Metro

    $

    Pick a sandwich size (from a few inches to 40—or a meter—as the name al metro implies) to match your appetite, at this paninoteca (sandwich shop) off of Piazza Luigi Cadorna. There are just four inventive sandwich types on offer each day, with ingredients changing seasonally like lentil cream, fennel, ricotta salata, and orange; or mortadella, pistachio cream, and Toma cheese. While meats like salami are front and center, there's always at least one vegetarian option, all on crusty fresh bread from the village of Gignese. You can take your sandwich to go for a picnic while exploring the islands, or upstairs to the cozy and bright red and white dining room and its small terrace overlooking the piazza. 

    Via Principe Tomaso 10, Stresa, Piedmont, 28838, Italy
    334-1627769-mobile

    Known For

    • Portions for any appetite
    • Friendly service
    • Curated menu of local ingredients

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Thurs.
  • 14. Da Ornella

    $$

    The vaulted ceilings of this popular trattoria on the upper town's main street are marked with ancient graffiti, created by (patiently) holding candles to the stone overhead. The house specialties are simple but tasty: polenta taragna (with buckwheat flour) cooked with butter and cheese and served with rabbit, chicken, or sliced mushrooms with oil, garlic, and parsley. Ask and you'll receive the perfect wine pairing for your meal.

    Via Gombito 15, Bergamo, Lombardy, 24100, Italy
    035-232736

    Known For

    • Local salame
    • Historical setting
    • Casoncelli (meat-filled pasta from Lombardy) dell'Ornella

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
  • 15. Freddi

    $

    The Freddi family's history in Piazza Cavallotti began 100 years ago. On the edge of the historical center of town, it's still where locals queue to buy Mantua's traditional pastas and pastries—don't miss sbrisolona (meaning "crumbs" in Italian), a hybrid cookie and pie that you'll see sold everywhere with varying levels of quality. Here, the mix of flour, almonds, butter, and lemon peel is truly delightful as it crumbles in your mouth. They also have a wide selection of fresh pastas, including tortelli di zucca to take away.

    Piazza Cavallotti 7, Mantua, Lombardy, 46100, Italy
    0376-321418

    Known For

    • Mantuan almond sweets
    • Friendly local spot
    • Location between the train station and major sites

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 16. Il Gatto Nero

    $$$

    Reservations are a good idea for this longtime favorite in the hills above Cernobbio. The lake view is splendid, and specialties include homemade pastas and fish dishes with a dash of international flair.

    Via Monte Santo 69, Cernobbio, Lombardy, 22012, Italy
    031-512042

    Known For

    • Classic (veal) and nonclassic (tuna) cotoletta alla Milanese
    • High-end wine selection
    • Lovely terrace

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Jan.–mid-Mar. No lunch weekdays mid- to late Mar.
  • 17. Il Giardino

    $$

    “The Garden" has an expansive patio that's a shady respite from the summer sun. Though mainly known for its pizza, the restaurant also has an extensive menu of fish and meat dishes. You can also stay the night in one of 12 basic rooms.

    Via Regina 73, Cernobbio, Lombardy, 22012, Italy
    031-511154

    Known For

    • Extensive outdoor seating
    • Tasty pizza
    • Fun vibe

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed. Nov.–Feb.
  • 18. La Marianna

    $

    Stracciatella gelato—a creamy combination of milk, egg yolks, vanilla, sugar, and dark chocolate shavings—is Italy's answer to chocolate-chip ice cream. While you'll see the flavor in gelaterie across Italy, one pastry shop, and city, Bergamo, claims it as its own. In 1961, Enrico Panatttoni, the pasticceria's founder is said to have invented the concoction and called it La Stracciatella alla Romana after a Roman soup with eggs in broth. Take your gelato to go or in a glass dish to enjoy in the shady courtyard just outside Porta Sant' Alessandro.

    Largo Colle Aperto 4, Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy
    035-237027

    Known For

    • Outdoor courtyard away from the crowds of Città Alta
    • Decorated seasonal cookies and cakes
    • Upscale gelateria atmosphere
  • 19. La Rucola 2.0

    $$$$

    Next to the castle and tucked into three charming rooms, this elegant, intimate restaurant is considered by many to be Sirmione's finest. Its creative tasting menus feature an appealing mix of fish (from the lake or the sea), meat, and vegetarian dishes, all accompanied by a good choice of wines.

    Vicolo Strentelle 3, Sirmione, Lombardy, 25019, Italy
    030-916326

    Known For

    • Tasting menus
    • Open kitchen
    • Fantastic wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Mon.
  • 20. La Sosta

    $$

    This osteria looks to the 16th century for culinary inspiration, with excellent homemade salami and two popular primi—gnocchi vecchia Cremona (stuffed with sausage and baked with poppy seeds, sesame, and Parmigiano-Reggiano) and marubini Cremonesi ai tre brodi (stuffed meat ravioli in broth)—made according to time-tested recipes. Order the tiramisu and an accompanying dessert wine for a perfect finish.

    Via Sicardo 9, Cremona, Lombardy, 26100, Italy
    0372-456656

    Known For

    • Cheese tasting menu
    • Cremonese sausage and veal osso buco
    • Extensive wine cellar with dessert wines

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and 3 wks in Aug. No dinner Sun.

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