Lake District

*** = especially recommended

## = want to try

? = looks intriguing

Even before Lake Como, Maggiore, Iseo, Garda, and Orta became famous destinations for Hollywood stars, people from around the world flocked to this idyllic country to enjoy lakeside dolce vita.  Speaking of Hollywood, they love to film here: Lake Como specifically was the backdrop for films such as Star Wars Episode II (the lake where Anakin and Padme fall in love), Ocean's Twelve, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace. Also see this article about hiking along the lakes.

Lago di Garda (Lake Garda)

The largest lake in Italy, the tip is in Trentino, and the rest of the lake/shoreline is split between Lombardy and Veneto. The north end is more mountainous than the south, but there are mountain views throughout.  Known for being family-friendly.  This site has some nice maps giving an overview of the lake.

Riva del Garda - between mountains at the northernmost point of the lake, popular summer resort for Austrians and Germans

• • La Contrada - Slow Food

Arco - perched above Riva del Garda, home to a medieval castle

• • Alla Lega - trattoria rec'd by Alice for rustic traditional food, open only for dinner except weekends (also closed on Wed apart from summer)

  • Belvedere - Località Varignano, TCI and Alice rec'd for a "blast to the past", old 19th-C farmhouse, old-school traditional plates such as carne salada, including ingredients from the farm

  • Da Gianni - only open for dinner, also a hotel, rec'd by Alice

  • Agritur Madonna delle Vittorie - agriturismo that is very popular on Tripadvisor, produces wine/olive oil...trattoria opened in 2013, looks beautiful.

  • Osteria Le Servite - rec'd by a chowhound, Slow Food Osterie d'Italia 2014

  • [a bit north, in Comano Terme] Osteria della Locanda Fiore - Slow Food Osterie d'Italia 2014

Brentonico - NE of lake

• Maso Palù is rec'd by chowhounds and Slow Food Osterie d'Italia 2014

Malcesine - on Veneto (eastern) shore, very nice town at foot of Mount Baldo (a cableway takes you to the top!), which also features a medieval castle.  This blogger has some great photos and stories about Malcesine.

Limone - on Lombardian (western) shore, relatively small town crammed between the cliffs and lake

Gardone Riviera & Salò - at far southwest corner of lake

• • Osteria Dell'Orologio - rec'd by chowhound

  • Locanda agli Angeli - rec'd by chowhound, Slow Food

  • Osteria di Mezzo - rec'd by chowhound

Sirmione - beautiful town perched on a tiny peninsula at the south end of the lake, features Scaliger Castle

• La Rucola - rec'd by a chowhound, one Michelin star

• Taverna Kus - rec'd by a chowhound

• ##Ristorante Pace - in center of town, focuses on lake fish and traditional dishes, in summer you can eat on a jetty over the lake, also hotel/photos here, Piazza Porto Valentino 5, open every day (except closed in winter), rec'd by Michelin, Slow Food Osterie d'Italia 2014

Toscolano Maderno: Gelateria Ciocolat - named one of Dissapore's top gelaterie in Italy in 2017

Ca del Baldo Agriturismo rec'd by Rick Steves reader, in Caprino Veronese on the eastern shore

Pregasina - in the tiny Trentino portion of the lake near the northern end, park near Chiesa parrocchiale di San Giorgio to access trail 422, more info here

Lago di Como

While Lake Como caters to the rich and famous, us ordinary folks can also have fun here.  Rick Steve's favorite spot is Varenna, on the East shore.

...for interesting things to do/see, check out Wonderlake Como, especially their Experiences

Tremezzo/Tremezzina

Known for its villas including the Botanical Garden of Villa Carlotta and ## Villa del Balbianello (where both 2006's Casino Royale and Star Wars Attack of the Clones were filmed)...down the coast at Argegno you can take the "funvia" up to the town of Pigra (aka "Pigra Cable Car"), with beautiful views of the lake. You can also walk from Griante to Colonno (almost to Argegno) on the 10 km "Greenway del Lago di Como" (more information on this PDF), with lake views almost the entire way. From Tremezzo you can walk about 40 minutes up to San Martino....more walks at this site

• ? Enoteca Cantina Follie - enoteca (wine bar) with light plates like cheese, cured meats, and sandwiches...very popular on Google and TripAdvisor

• ? Locanda La Tirlindana - in Sala Comacina, just SW of Tremezzo, great reviews on Google and TripAdvisor, nice view/location, modern cuisine, this page says it's one of the top 10 restaurants on the lake, has a private jetty (so you can arrive by boat)

  • also nearby in Sala Comacina: MUSA Lago di Como - fancy hotel/restaurant rec'd Lombardia Secrets

• ? Antica Trattoria del Risorgimento - in Azzano/Mezzegra, good reviews on Google and TripAdvisor, this page says it's one of the top 10 restaurants on the lake, rec'd Lonely Planet and Frommers (they recommend reservations since it's small), rustic decor but fancier cooking by chef from Milan

• Casa Acquadulza - hotel and casual restaurant that opened in 2017 in a 200 year old building, look nice but not too expensive, rec'd Wonderlake Como

• Ristorante La Fagurida - in hills above Tremezzo, Frommer's calls it a "meat-lover's paradise",  Rough Guide for "an authentic meal in a laidback setting", rec'd The Infatuation for polenta, lavarello fish, and other traditional dishes

• Ristorante La Terraza di Gualtiero Marchesi - fancy/expensive restaurant in the Grand Hotel Tremezzo with romantic terrace overlooking the lake, has a la carte and tasting menus, rec'd The Infatuation, formerly rec'd by Michelin

  • Ristorante da Giacomo - less formal/fancy sister restaurant to La Terrazza; The Infatuation says it's beloved by both tourists and locals, especially for seafood

• Il Grifo Lago di Como - hotel/restaurant in Lenno, rec'd Wonderlake Como, looks nice, updated traditional dishes

• NOT recommended: (La Darsena - hotel and restaurant on the water, popular on TripAdvisor...Mark didn't like on his honeymoon)

• Gelaterie

  • ? La Fabbrica Del Gelato - in Lenno (part of Tremezzina), looks like the best in the area

  • Il Gelato di Zoe - Argegno, popular on Google/TripAdvisor

  • Al Veluu Ristorante Suites - up the hill with beautiful view

  • Bar Victoria - Irish pub / English tea house if you want to get away from Italian stuff

  • Argegno: La Griglia Ristorante Argegno - trattoria formerly rec'd Michelin

  • near Argegno in Brienno: Crotto dei Platani - rec'd Gambero Rosso, The Infatuation

    • also in Argegno: La P'Osteria - slow food/locavore place, also has a lower-cost/more-casual Bistro

Bellagio

One of the "pearls" of the lake, near the tip of the Southern shore where the 2 legs meet, it has beautiful lanes and high-end shopping. Some recommend the Giardini di Villa Melzi

• ### Dispensa 63 - outstanding Google/TA reviews, looks very nice (and considering the quality is not ridiculously expensive?), apparently books up weeks in advance, also has cooking classes, same family as Hotel du Lac, The Infatuation lists among the best restaurants on the lake & says it's somewhat fusion-y and doesn't get a lot of tourists, rec'd WonderLake Como as a "food experience", this blogger says "I’m going to save you the trouble of trawling through Tripadvisor reviews and just tell you to make a reservation at Dispensa 63, the best restaurant in Bellagio."

• ? Ittiturismo Ristorante Mella - 2018 Slow Food Osterie d'Italia, very popular on TripAdvisor

• ? Alle Darsene di Loppia - overlooks the harbor, rec'd NY Times & Rough Guide for fish and meat (was rec'd Michelin but no longer)c

• Mistral - fancy/expensive, previously had 1 Michelin star (no longer) but still rec'd Michelin

• Ittiturismo da Abate - fish place popular on Google, rec'd Lonely Planet, a little ways outside Bellagio

• Gusto Italiano Bellagio - cooking class, popular on TripAdvisor

• Gelateria del Borgo - TripAdvisor says it's the best in Bellagio

• #Bstyle Bellagio - cafe/jazz bar and restaurant, *very* popular on both Google & TripAdvisor, looks trendy/hip, gluten-free options

• Ristorante Bilacus - trattoria rec'd by this guide

• Barchetta - rec'd Rough Guide

• Bilacus - rec'd Rough Guide

• Enoteca Cava Turacciolo - rec'd Rough Guide

• La Punta - rec'd Rough Guide

• Mella - rec'd Rough Guide

• Mistral - rec'd Rough Guide

• San Giacomo - rec'd Rough Guide

• Silvio -  - rec'd Rough Guide, also rec'd as hotel

• Accomodation: Rough Guide likes Hotel Bellagio, Belvedere, Florence

• Enoteca CavaTuracciolo - good TA

• Aperitivo et Al - good TA

• Mr Panino - good TA

• Osteria da Luca - good TA

• Agriturismo Cascina Prada - good TA

• Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele - rec'd The Infatuation

• in Lezzeno, a little ways SW:

  • ? Osteria Il Governo 1801 - outstanding Google reviews, rec'd Wonderlake Como, slightly fusion-y cuisine, looks nice

  • Filo - lakeside views, modern cuisine, rec'd Michelin

  • Ristorante Aurora Lezzeno - this page says it's one of the top 10 restaurants on the lake

  • Il Crotto dei Pescatori - rec'd Gambero Rosso, The Infatuation, also rents rooms

  • Crotto del Misto - rec'd Gambero Rosso, also a hotel, beautiful spot

  • Ittiturismo da Abate - rec'd Lonely Planet for slow food, popular on TripAdvisor & Google Maps, looks like a slightly fancy version of homey trattoria, might not be very celiac-friendly...?

Como (Town)

Lake Como's largest town, close to the Swiss border, at the SW corner of the lake; the historic walled center is the "Città Murata"; check out the Villa Olmo (on Sundays there's a walk open from Como called the "Chilometro di Conoscenza"), or ride the funicular up to Brunate (rec'd by NY Times)

• Gelato

  • # Gelateria Rossetti - won a prize for best gelato in Lombardia in 2018, organic ingredients

  • Gelateria Guidi - popular on TripAdvisor

  • Gelab Gelateria - looks nice, good Google reviews

  • Gelato Crea (gelatocrea) Lake Como - looks nice, good Google review

• Ristorante Comi 107 (COMI107) - innovative spot rec'd Michelin, looks nice?

• Amy's Cucina - cooking class, popular on Google/TripAdvisor

• ? Figli dei Fiori - flower shop & restaurant rec'd Rough Guide, Wonderlake Como, and Lombardia Secrets, food looks fun!

• Babi Como - coffee shop/breakfast spot, rec'd Rough Guide for high-quality ingredients & good prices

• Visini Como - tavola calda/enoteca/deli (including desserts) rec'd Rough Guide

• Bottega Comacini - interesting, innovative spot with pretty reasonable prices, rec'd Wonderlake Como

• Er Più Como - somewhat old-school spot, preivously rec'd Michelin

• Tigella Bella (di Garavaglia Matteocomo) - sandwich shop popular on TripAdvisor/Google

• Osteria del Gallo - osteria rec'd Wonderlake Como rec'd for old-school dishes like bresaola, polenta, and tiramisu...seems relatively simple but fresh?

• Pastificio da Pietro - new in 2025, fresh pastas with some Roman influences, plus other relatively casual dishes, rec'd Wonderlake Como

• Ristorante in Teatro - rec'd Wonderlake Como, good for gluten-free/celiac

• Vegami - vegan food, rec'd Wonderlake Como

• Pizzeria Ristorante Donnarumma - Naples-style pizza, rec'd Wonderlake Como

• Namaste Ristorante Indiano - Indian restaurant previously rec'd Michelin

• Café Thai Como - Thai food rec'd Wonderlake Como

• In Brunate (above the town):

  • La Polenteria - in Brunate, rec'd Frommer's

  • Bellavista Boutique Hotel e Ristorante (Bellavista Ristoro) - rec'd Wonderlake Como, beautiful views

• fancier:

  • Feel Como - somewhat expensive/modern spot which uses local produce, rec'd Scatti di Gusto, Michelin

  • Kitchen - one Michelin star

  • Ristorante Sottovoce - rec'd Michelin, somewhat haute cuisine, in the Vista Hotel

  • outside town: Ristorante Navedano - not to be confused with the town of the same name; somewhat expensive 

• north of Como in SW portion of lake:

  • Cernobbio has Villa Erba and Villa d'Este...Rough Guide also rec's La Via dei Monte Lariani that goes up the mountains

  • Il Sereno al Lago - in Torno, one Michelin star

  • Hotel Ristorante il Belvedere - in Torno, restaurant rec'd Wonderlake Como

  • L'Aria - in Blevio, rec'd Michelin, expensive

  • Ristorante Momi - in Blevio, previously rec'd Michelin, a bit less expensive, simple place with jetty over the water, closed Mon

  • CO.MO Bar & Bistrot at the Mandarin Oriental - rec'd The Infatuation, expensive

  • Imperialino - in Moltrasio, previously rec'd Michelin

  • Crotto Valdurino - in Moltrasio, rec'd Gambero Rosso, The Infatuation (especially for fish)

  • Ristorante La Veranda Moltrasio - in Moltrasio at the Hotel Posta, rec'd Michelin ...not to be confused with the one in Cernobbio (looks nice!)

  • Ristorante La Baia di Moltrasio - in Moltrasio (duh), rec'd Wonderlake Como

  • Trattoria del Glicine - in Cernobbio (the Rough Guide's favorite town near Como), rec'd Michelin, popular on Google

  • Materia - in Cernobbio, 1 Michelin star and rec'd Rough Guide, fresh herbs/flowers from their greenhouse

  • Il Gatto Nero - in Cernobbio, The Infatuation says this is popular with famous people

  • Ristorante La Veranda (Cernobbio) - in Cernobbio at the Villa d'Este (which Vogue described as the "grandest hotel in Italy"), very expensive, rec'd Michelin, The Infatuation, has a dress code...also has a less-formal restaurant called Grill ...not to be confused with the one in Moltrasio

  • Vincenzo Dascanio Cafe Cernobbio - rec'd Lombardia Secrets; nice pastries/coffee/drinks or light lunch/breakfast

  • Piazetta Cernobbio - rec'd Wonderlake Como

  • Osteria del Beuc - in Cernobbio, rec'd Wonderlake Como

  • Casa Perrotta Restaurant - rec'd Michelin

  • Trattoria del Vapore - in Cernobbio, a bit less expensive, previously rec'd Michelin

  • # Il Pistacchietto - Gelateria Artigianale - in Cernobbio, fresh ingredients, interesting flavors like ginger

  • Orso Bruno - hotel in Carate Urio rec'd Rough Guide

  • Ristorante Acqua Dolce - restaurant in Carate Urio rec'd Rough Guide as "lovely, refined little hideaway"

  • Relais Villa Vittoria - fancy hotel/restaurant in Laglio rec'd Rough Guide

  • Da Luciano Bottega e Caffè - rec'd Lombardia Secrets, Wonderlake Como, looks simple but super fresh?

• On outskirts of Como:

  • in Tavernerio (E of Como): ? Gnocchetto - less-expensive family run place rec'd Michelin, looks nice!

  • ? Crotto del Sergente - a little ways outside of town, rec'd The Infatuation (who say it's very romantic and recommend the slow-cooked meats)

  • Arabella - cucina comasca contemporanea (in Villa Guardia), rec'd Wonderlake Como

  • La Cava dei Sapori Como - rec'd Wonderlake Como (in Como but outside the main town)

Varenna & Eastern Bank of Lake Como

• ## Da Gigi - in Crandola Valsassina (inland a bit), rec'd Michelin for panoramic views and organic ingredients, many from their own garden

• Varenna - Rick Steve's favorite town; has Villa Monastero with a beautiful panoramic garden (also rec'd NY Times)...you can also hike up to the Castello di Vezio

  • Il Molo - rec'd Frommer's and Rough Guide, mostly for atmosphere

  • *** Il Cavatappi - restaurant rec'd by Mark (liked on honeymoon) and Rough Guide, *really* good reviews on Google & TripAdvisor, 2016 blog with photos of menu

  • ?La Passerella Gelateria - popular on Google/TripAdvisor, rec'd by this guide for vegan options including "black chocolate" with ginger

  • Chef's Table Cooking Class - someone on Reddit had a fantastic experience here

  • Hosteria del Platano - rec'd Michelin

  • Visteria - rec'd Michelin, expensive/modern

  • Albergo del Sole  - rec'd Rough Guide

  • La Vista - rec'd Rough Guide

  • Quattro Pass - rec'd Rough Guide

  • Vecchia Varenna - rec'd Rough Guide

  • Accomodation:

    • Rough Guide rec's Albergo del Sole, Albergo Milano, Casa Stacy, Du Lac, Olivedo, Royal Victoria, and Villa Cipressi

  • ...also check out the Passeggiata degli Innamorati; for a longer hike, check out the Sentiero del Viandante that leads up to Bellano and beyond

  • up the hill in Perledo:

    • ?Crotto del Pepott - rec'd Gambero Rosso, rustic spot with reasonable prices for polenta, cheese, and grilled meats, Italian blog with photos

    • Ristorante Il Caminetto - popular on Google Maps & TripAdvisor

      • • also runs Ristorante Il Caminetto Cookery Lessons - the most popular cooking class on TripAdvisor, old Rick Steves thread

• Lierna: La Breva - previously rec'd Michelin

• ***Dervio: Crotto del Cech - rec'd Gambero Rosso, homey/rustic "crotto" (old-school trattoria situated on a natural grotto) --> some friends went here in 2018 and said it was their favorite place; mostly locals/Italians, not much English spoken

Northern Section of Lake Como (aka Alto Lario)

• in Gravedona:

  • ? Ca dè Matt - rustic trattoria previously rec'd Michelin & Rough Guide, not as expensive as many other places on the lake

  • Villa Vincia - hotel rec'd Rough Guide, all suites have kitchenettes, also a playground for kids, swimming pool/hot tub

  • ? Gelateria La Carapina - great reviews on Google and TripAdvisor

    • ?? Aquila d'Oro, in Dosso Del Liro (inland/NW from Gravedona), rec'd 2018 Slow Food Osterie d'Italia, a rustic bar/restaurant overlooking the lake, they make their own cured meats, closed Tues

• ? in Sorico: Beccaccino - bright, airy restaurant with natural feel and fish specialties, rec'd Michelin

• ## in Domaso: Azienda Agricola Sorsasso Lago di Como (Agriturismo Crotto Sorsasso) - book ahead for wine tastings, lunches, or dinners, this page says it's one of the top 10 restaurants on the lake, very popular on TripAdvisor, this page has more from 2016

  • in the hills above Dongo (in Stazzona): (il) Crottone - rec'd Gambero Rosso, also a very reasonably-priced B&B

• this guidebook recommends staying in Menaggio, and the Trattoria La Vecchia Magnolia and Ristorante La Baita.

• Rezzonico (San Siro): Lauro is hotel/restaurant rec'd Rough Guide

• Dongo: La Trave - Rough Guide rec's "friendly local restaurant" that makes its own salumi

• in Delebio ( E of the lake): Osteria del Benedet - rec'd Michelin

• In Stazzona: Crotto Isidoro - rec'd The Infatuation

• ? In Pianello del Lario: Agriturismo Tre Terre (Treterre) - rec'd Lombardia Secrets and WonderLake Como, looks like a beautiful spot, also good food

• in Civano: Aquila d'Oro Osteria Enoteca Bar di Bossio Plinio - rec'd Wonderlake Como

• ? in Blessagno: Le Radici Agriturismo - organic vegetable and llama farm that has good meals at their restaurant made with fresh produce, great views of Lake Como, rec'd Wonderlake Como

• [Abbazia di Piona]

• a ways north in Mese (Valdichiavenna): Crotasc - rec'd Lombardia Secrets

• Menaggio has a bit more of an "outdoorsy" reputation, with tourists interseted in sports like kayaking, hiking, and cycling; there are a number of walking/hiking paths including easy ones to Nobiallo/Loverno, and a more difficult one starting at Grandola ed Uniti (take  bus C12) to the Via dei Monti Lariani trail, and if you're into longer-distance trekking, the Sentiero delle Quattro Valli

  • Grand Hotel Menaggio - hotel rec'd Rough Guide

  • Royal - hotel rec'd Rough Guide

  • Ostello La Primula - Rough Guide says it's a "friendly hostel" with "lovely views of the lake"

  • Camping Europa - campsite rec'd Rough Guide

  • Crotto da Gusto - rec'd Rough Guide

  • Il Ristorante di Paolo - rec'd Rough Guide

  • Albergo Il Vapore - rec'd Rough Guide, The Infatuation

  • Osteria Il Pozzo - rec'd Rough Guide

  • Pizzeria Lugano - rec'd Rough Guide

  • Trattoria La Vecchia Magnola - rec'd Rough Guide

Lecco/Southeast Lake Como

• Lecco: one of the larger towns on the lake

  • Antica Osteria Casa di Lucia, 2018 Slow Food Osterie d'Italia

  • Nicolin - rec'd Michelin

• Nearby towns:

  • Villa Giulia-Al Terrazzo (in Valmadrera), rec'd Michelin for romantic garden by the lake

  • Bianca sul Lago (in Oggiono) - rec'd Michelin

  • Mandello del Lario (SE shore):

    • Sali e Tabacchi, , 2018 Slow Food Osterie d'Italia

    • Il Giardinetto - rec'd Michelin, not too expensive

    • Amandus - rec'd Michelin

  • Agriturismo La Selvaggia - this page says it's one of the top 10 restaurants on the lake

  • in Barzago (a bit SW): Osteria Manzoni - rec'd Michelin, not too expensive

  • Da Giovannino Bistrot con pizza - rec'd Wonderlake Como

  • ?? Agriturismo La Costa / Cascina Galbusera Nera - reasonable prices, rec'd The Infatuation for experiencing "pastoral life" and super-fresh ingredients...looks gorgeous!

  • ? Cascina Selvetto - (in Galbiate) organic/regenerative cooperative farm that has various activites including an "Aperi-pic-nic" (picnic with simple foods), Saturday food markets, horse riding, etc. ...it's mostly young folks so I suspect folks speak some English but their website is all in Italian and hasn't been updated in a while? rec'd Wonderlake Como

Lago d'Iseo

This relatively untouristed lake boasts Europe's largest inland island, Monte Isola (you can hike to the top).

• In Iseo, Time Out rec's Il Volto and Al Porto.

• Near Sale Marisino, Villa Kinzica/Ristorante Uliveto also rec'd by Time Out

Lago Maggiore

As its name implies, the largest of the lakes, which extends up to Switzerland.  Classy and majestic.

Stresa is Rick Steve's favorite town (on the Piedmont shore)...from there, you can take a boat to Isola Bella, with a Borremeo palace

• Piedmont shore:

  • Time Out recommends Osteria del Triass, Cafe de la Sera, Taverna del Pappagallo, Milano, Bolongaro, La bottiglieria, Osteria del Castello, Ristorante Vecchio Olmo, and Lo Scalo

• Lombardy shore:

  • Time Out rec's Il Veliero and AVAV Yacht Club.

  • 2018 Slow Food Osterie d'Italia rec's Barchet in Curiglia con Monteviasco

    • Il Sole di Ranco (in Ranco, near Uponne) - fancy place rec'd Michelin and Dissapore

Lago di Varese

One of the smaller lakes, between Maggiore and Como. Features the "Little Versailles" of Palazzo Estense (along with other palazzi), the Sacro Monte di Varese (one of several "sacred mountains" that form a UNESCO World Heritage site in Northern Italy).

• • Besozzo (town between Maggiore & Varese lakes, in Varese province): Osteria del Sass - Dissapore rec'd in 2009

  • Brinzio (in the Campo dei Fiori park, N of Varese town): I Runchitt - rec'd Dissapore in 2016 

  • Cantello (near Varese town): L'Osteria di Nerito Valter (now called Osteria Galli??), rec'd 2018 Slow Food Osterie d'Italia

  • Azzate (near Buguggiate, S of Capolago on southern end of lake)

    • Blend 4 rec'd Scatti di Gusto in 2016

    • Osteria da Bruno rec'd Scatti di Gusto in 2017

  • Varese town

    • Veratti Casual Gourmet - pizzeria rec'd Scatti di Gusto

    • Gambero Rosso has a 2015 "mini-guide" in Italian

Lago d'Orta

Another smaller lake, west of Maggiore. Probably one of the least touristy (The Guardian called it "the Italian lake tourists haven't discovered")

• • Il Cucchiao di Legno (in Orta San Giulio) - rec'd 2018 Slow Food Osterie d'Italia