Lake Como
Places that don't have a lake view in Varenna are at a distinct disadvantage, which is why this place works just that extra bit harder with the food and…
Must-see restaurants in The Italian Lakes
Milan
In summer, dine beneath the flower-laden pergola at this traditional tavern overlooking the Naviglio Pavese. The owner is a wine expert (and an opera…
Milan
Inside the Mercato Comunale you’ll find the aptly named ‘Popular Butcher’ selling high-quality cuts from animals grazed in pasture. But that’s not the…
Milan
Making a name for yourself in Milan's sophisticated sushi scene isn't easy, but chef Hiro's lobster maki roll sings a siren song that packs this place out…
Milan
Only in the Quad: stylish fast food such as lobster panini (sandwiches), velouté of asparagus and saffron-scented bulgar salads. As you'd expect there's…
Milan
Named after the natural yeast base used by master pastry chefs for more than a century, this Sicilian bakery and restaurant makes a powerful statement…
Milan
This revamped municipal market houses four Slow Food–style vendors including grocer Fresco&Buono, a butcher and fishmonger from Riunite and craft-baker…
Milan
Part of chef Giacomo Bulleri's empire that's quietly taking over the street, this charming pasticceria (pastry shop) is run by Bulleri's granddaughters…
Milan
Known for seasonal produce and light, clean flavours, the menu at Joia is imbued with poetry (a winter dish of globe and Jerusalem artichokes with sweet…
Milan
A restaurant, deli, cafe and bar: Taglio pulls it all off with aplomb. Only high-quality ingredients are used, and a seasonal menu puts a spin on classic…
Milan
Prosecco and trofie al pesto (Ligurian pasta twists coated in a basil, pine nut and olive oil paste) in an ivy-covered courtyard surrounded by Gucci and…
Milan
Following on from the success of local trendsetter Mao Hunan, Maoji is what you’d expect of a younger sibling: more casual and a lot cooler. It combines…
Milan
The colourful vegetables at this local grocers line the cobbled alley of San Carpoforo like floral displays at a high-end florist. Step inside and you'll…
Milan
If all the Roman restaurants in town were this appealing, Milan would probably start calling itself Mediolanum again. Waiters dish up Roman sass when…
Milan
Elegant Sushi Koboo serves good-quality sushi, sashimi and tempura at a traditional kaiten (conveyor belt) and tables in several stylish restaurant rooms…
Milan
You know you’re in good hands at Marghe. Part-owner Matteo Mevio has worked with pizza maestro Gino Sorbillo, and his Neapolitan-style pizza follows the…
Milan
A chic, retro-style bistro serving up small sharing plates and heartier mains that range across American, Italian and Spanish cuisine: pasta, burgers and…
Milan
With its sultry blue walls and dark velvet seats, this slick Peruvian restaurant is an intimate space where you can enjoy more options of ceviche than you…
Milan
As the name suggests, Hygge is bringing the Danish art of cosiness to Milan. Overflowing with Nordic touches, from the clean plant-centric interior design…
Milan
If you can snare a seat in this tiny and ever-popular restaurant, you'll find old favourites such as maccheroni al pomodoro e burro (pasta with tomatoes…
Milan
Just a stroll away from the Dolce & Gabbana headquarters, Gong is a favourite among the fashion set. Featuring slick minimal decor, it serves up fusion…
Milan
Not all Princi branches are created equal. This one is situated in a happy-hour hub, is blessed with the same beautiful Claudio Silvestrin design as its…
Milan
Packed with locals, this Cantonese restaurant is run by a mother-and-daughter team, Rita and Pui. You can count on veal and onion dumplings, whole crabs,…
Milan
Order fish arancini (rice balls), fish burgers or fritto misto (mixed fried fish) from this cook stall and fishmonger on Milan's pretty dockside. The fish…
Milan
Warm, elegant and atmospheric, Warsa serves authentic curries – lentil, beef or fish – Eritrean-style atop injera (flat bread). Eating is done with your…
Milan
Come here for ice cream in wild flavours such as rice, amaretto or orange blossom, and specials such as Huehuetenango coffee from Guatemala and hot-to…
Lake Garda
Probably in the top five of Lombardy gastronomic restaurants, hillside Vecchia Malcesine is at once creative, fun and very, very tasty. The Michelin…
Stresa
The Pappagallo is a hive of Italian energy where industrious wait staff practically run between tables and your pizza will arrive in the time it takes you…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
