Restaurants
For Italians, eating and drinking is both a leisure and a leisurely activity. Dinner, in particular is not a meal to be rushed into too soon or consumed in a hurry. It’s an occasion to enjoy the company of family and good friends, or else the most romantic way for couples to eat.
Nowhere in Italy is the gentle pace of Italian meal times more in harmony with the surroundings than at Lake Como. In an environment where unhurried ferry rides and walking are still important ways of getting around, it seems natural to extend that gentle pace of life into meal times.
And to that fresh fish from the Lake, special local dishes and service so courteous that they won’t bring you the bill unless you make a point of asking for it, and it is no wonder that food and drink play such a significant part in a Lake Como holiday. And, with that in mind, here are some of our favourite places to eat out around the Lake. Please note most restaurants here are extremely child friendly and whilst not all speak fluent English you may be surprised how a little English or Italian (plus a few hand gestures!) will ensure you get by and fed without any issues.
Cernobbio
- Gatto Nero
Stylish dining with a jaw dropping lake view from its enviable position above the village. A continuing favourite of the celebrity circuit, although we have thought on our last few visits that the service and quality of food has dipped slightly as the popularity of the venue has increased. Nevertheless the Risotto with tartufo (when in season) is a perennial favourite, yet to be surpassed locally.
- Il Glicine
Our favourite restaurant for uncomplicated fine dining. No lake view, just sophisticated, unpretentious dining. Eat alfresco in the garden or dine inside in the distinctive dining room. Highly recommended for the serious foodie. The knowledgeable sommelier will ensure each dish has the best wine to accompany it. The prawns in tempura batter take some beating
- Villa D’Este
Excellently executed, award winning modern Italian cuisine and service befitting a 5 star establishment often voted one of best hotels in Europe. The dining certainly lives up to the hype. And the cocktails, canapés and idyllic lakeside setting, with acres of landscaped gardens, are more reasons to treat yourself to this wallet-busting culinary extravaganza.
Carate Urio
- Orso Bruno Hotel
Fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere with lake view to boot. Every dish is freshly homemade and well presented. Olive oil selected from the proprietors own vineyard in Northern Tuscany. A real favourite, with many visitors passing on recommendations and locals returning time and time again. If you are out to impress you could do a lot worse! English spoken here.
Brienno
- Il Crotto Platani
A perennial favourite of ours and not just for the stunning lakeside terrace location. Modern Italian dining on the lake. Fresh pasta and lake fish specialities. The venue also boasts its own Darsena (where you can moor your own hired boat). The romantic outdoor setting, plus the delicious cuisine make for a wonderful candlelit supper or long lazy lunch. Dining also available inside. Book at least 4 days in advance to guarantee your table. Taxi service also available.
Argegno
- Il Piazetta
High class dining fusing modern Italian with a French twist (if more in presentation than flavour). Dine alfresco next to the piazetta or in the stylish dining room. Japenese style tuna carpaccio and chicken stuffed with prawns are just two of the dishes with more than a nod towards modern European cuisine.
Small but well selected wine list. Highly recommended by visitors and locals alike.
Emilio’s (fish), Barchetta (local cuisine including risotto, polenta and lake fish) and Le Corte (pizza, pasta and fresh fish on Friday!) are also worth a mention. English spoken here. Childrens pizza menu.
Argegno, San Anna
- Ristorante San Anna
Typical Lombardian cusine, a favourite for Sunday lunch or a family gathering. Relaxed, informal dining with an unbeatable wine list accompanying such favourites as Cinghale (wild boar) with polenta or a divine mushroom soufflé. In summer the garden, situated above Argegno and the Lake, makes for a tranquil setting flanked by the mountains of the Val d’Intelvi. Child friendly
Sala Comacina
- La Tirlanda
Rivals Crotto Platani for lakeside setting and fresh pasta or lake fish specialists (the lemon ravioli with ricotta is a favourite.)
- The Island (Isola Comacina)
An institution. Dine on the island via taxi boat from Sala Comacina. The menu seems to be popular with the same 5 course set menu for 50 plus years! Benvenuti, the charismatic owner will complete your meal with a minature fire display as he serves the coffee and conducts a speech encompassing the story of the island. No credit cards. English spoken here. Vegetarian options.
Lenno
- San Giorgio Hotel
Don’t be fooled by its old English tearoom dated interior. The contemporary Italian cuisine is a joy to behold with passionate chefs who often tour various European haunts to bring a fresh influence to bear on their take on modern Italian dining. Recommended for the lunchtime a la carte menu (evening set menu is perhaps somewhat limited for some diners). Book a garden table in the summer for picture perfect lake views.
Valgarda is also well regarded for value for money, honest fare using fresh local ingredients.
Tremezzo
- El Timon
Good value local dishes including excellent pizza. And ravioli with nut sauce is also a favourite. English spoken here, child friendly.
- Fagurida
Rustic, home cooked fare recommended by locals in the know. If you want to discover the taste of “mama’s cooking” the rabbit with roast potatoes, polenta with cheese and onion and asparagus with poached eggs will offer an authentic taste of unpretentious food with the emphasis on flavour above presentation. Child friendly.
Cadenabbia
- La Marianna Hotel & Restaurant
Fresh homemade cuisine with a set menu changing daily and reflecting the seasons. Focuses on fish, vegetarian and local game/poultry dishes, depending on the day of the week. The owner’s passion for sourcing only fresh, local ingredients is the common thread that draws the thoughtfully constructed menu together. Dishes can sometimes seek to push culinary boundaries not previously ventured in these parts -venison with chocolate tagliatelle anyone?
Menaggio
- Il Ristorante (Palio)
Fine dining, extensive wine list and a superb lake view from its central position in the piazza. A little more expensive than some of its contemporaries but well worth the extra for the attention to flavour put into every dish. Once more lake specialities and fresh pasta dishes prevail, with the added bonus of an excellent range of meat dishes to appeal to the most discerning diner.
- Pizzeria Lugano
Situated above Menaggio, the old unwelcoming exterior masks an authentic pizza experience offering excellent value for money. A favourite for a reasonably priced mid week treat.
- Il Pozzo
Pizza and local specialities-rustic home cooking popular with the many tourists.
San Siro
- Crème Caramel
Heralded by many locals as offering the finest pizza on the lake – no mean feat! Thin, crispy base, with every choice of topping imaginable. Superb lake side setting. Excellent venue for families, great value!
Varenna
- Vecchia Varenna
On the lake front. Offers superb, traditional local cuisine with fresh lake fish and pasta dishes as the mainstays of the menu.
Bellagio
- Villa Serbelloni
5 star award winning cuisine in a breathtaking location. A serious rival to Villa D’este for Lake Como’s culinary crown.
