16 of the best Lake Como restaurants

Shaped like a topsy-turvy Y, Lake Como (or Lario as locals call it) is renowned for its superb panoramas, terraced citrus gardens, luxury villas overlooking the shimmering water, boat tours and beaches for refreshing swims. These are usually at the top of travellers’ bucket lists.

But what about its food? Eating well in Lake Como is tricky. Most travellers aren’t as familiar with the local cucina lariana as they are with the specialities of major cities such as Rome, Florence, and Bologna. This makes them an easy target for the tourist traps that try to tempt them with familiar favourites, like cacio e pepe and bolognese ragù.

But the lake and its surroundings cultivate a bounty of ingredients that have come to characterise the local cuisine. In addition, the last decade has seen an inflow of innovative gastronomy, making the lake increasingly popular among food pilgrims. From traditional fish taverns to no-frills panoramic eateries to high-end restaurants, try this mix of the best Lake Como restaurants.

Feel

Lodged on the ground floor of an ivy-wrapped mediaeval facade in Como’s historic centre, Feel prides itself on infusing its surroundings with a present-day touch, starting with the ambience. The interior juxtaposes modern adornments with original features like exposed wooden beams, stone walls and a vaulted ceiling. Guests enter a refurbished 18th-century foyer before sitting in the adjacent six-table dining room – a former 16th-century stable. Lake Como and its alpine environs feature prominently on the menu, which chef Federico Beretta imbues with a contemporary flair. Dishes may include risotto with rosehip berries, rabbit and juniper; eel with lemon sauce, leek roots and parsnip and a seasonal iteration of Forest Greens, a salad crafted from a medley of ingredients procured during a theoretical walk from the lake to the Alps. The 300-bottle wine list highlights small producers, with a strong showing from northwest Italy, particularly the mountains. Jaclyn DeGiorgio

Address: Via Armando Diaz, 54, 22100 Como CO, Italy
Website: feelcomo.com

Materia

When in Cernobbio, it can be difficult to retreat from the splendid lakefront – unless the retreat involves Materia. The Michelin-starred and World’s 50 Best Discovery restaurant is tucked tidily into a sleepy street that’s less than a 10-minute walk from the water. The minimalist black and white interior sets the stage for Davide Caranchini’s cuisine. Inspired by his experiences in London and Copenhagen, the chef cleverly approaches the local cuisine with a global – and, at times, even provocative – touch. Signature dishes include linguine with butter, lake shad garum, and amchoor; sea urchin with calf brain mousse and caper powder; and bone marrow gelato topped with saffron foam, a dessert that pays homage to Milanese risotto. Complete the meal with a selection from the (mostly) natural wine list. Jaclyn DeGiorgio

Address: Via Cinque Giornate, 32, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
Website: ristorantemateria.it

Crotto Isidoro

Nestled snugly into a cave in the rocky hillsides above Dongo on the lake’s upper western shore, Crotto Isidoro is an ageing cellar turned covered open-air restaurant. The rustic ambiance combines wooden furniture with natural stone on a panoramic terrace that offers a spectacular lake view. The no-frills, flavourful cuisine favours the alpine hinterland over the fisherman's catch. Dishes include polenta with a selection of carnivorous accompaniments, grilled meat, salami and cheese. The miascia, a bread and fruit cake, is one of the tastiest versions of the beloved lake treat. Before leaving, pop into the ageing room where dangling salami, cheese wheels and sealed wine jugs all wait their turn. Jaclyn DeGiorgio

Address: Via Vanzonico, 14, 22010 Stazzona CO, Italy
Website: facebook.com

Trattoria San Biagio

The headquarters of a century-old agricultural cooperative might seem an unlikely backdrop for some of the lake’s cosiest eats, but it couldn’t be more appropriate. Equal parts aperitivo joint and restaurant, Trattoria San Biagio specialises in unfussy, flavourful Lombard fare. The nostalgia-meets-rustic ambience is enhanced by bookshelves stuffed with old cookbooks and wood tables and chairs. In the bar area, a record player spins vinyl beside a white vintage table topped with cake stands displaying dessert. The weekly changing menu comprises cichéti, or small bites, which may include taleggio cheese, anchovies and polentina, and piatti, or single dishes, such as Milanese-style tripe. The evergreen polenta uncia, a staple of Larian cuisine, is doused with garlic sage butter and topped with a blob of melted cheese from a local dairy, reflecting owners Anita Bertacchi and Danilo Vadis’ commitment to sourcing from small producers – an effort also evident in the wine list. Jaclyn DeGiorgio

Address: Via Carducci, 2, 22030 Orsenigo CO, Italy
Website: instagram.com

Il Beccaccino

Among the colours and scents of the Pian di Spagna protected reserve, where birds peep curiously at diners, this eco-friendly Lake Como restaurant in the offbeat village of Sorico is a must-stop for nature and fine food lovers. It used to be the chef’s former family home, and now, after a makeover, it blends in with the surroundings. First, enjoy the many fish varieties from the chef’s daily catch on the elegant wooden-and-glass veranda. Then, at sunset, indulge in an amaro or liqueur at the floating open bar, an old boat wreck recovered from the lake bed which has been finely restyled.

Address: Ristorante Beccaccino, Via Boschetto, 49, 22010 Sorico CO, Italy
Website: ristorantebeccaccino.it

Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele

Plunge into die-hard peasant food traditions at this low-key stone-wooden mountain hut in the hamlet of Piano Rancio in the lake’s wilderness. The main dish is Toc, which is more of an eating ritual: guests are served a huge communal copper cauldron of cornmeal mush polenta with missoltini lake shads, homegrown hens and salami, placed in the centre of the table. They’re invited to eat with their bare hands as in past hard times when low-income families shared one meal a day. The name ‘toc’ derives from the dialectal word ‘Tucà’ (meaning ‘to touch, take with your hands’). The dish is prepared by master ‘tocchisti’, and it’s become a rare delicacy; this chalet still makes it according to ancestral techniques. Afterwards, go for a stroll in the surrounding forests.

Address: Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele, Località Prà Filippo, 60, 22030 Bellagio CO, Italy
Website: polentoteca.com

Crotto Valdurino

Prepare for a throwback to an earlier era and delicious traditional cuisine cooked Nonna’s way. Crotto in local dialect means ‘cave’, and this tavern is partly built inside one. Open since 1882 and still run by the same historical family, it used to be a freezer cellar where food was stacked. Located in Vergonzano, a district in the secluded village of Moltrasio, it’s a no-frills place with a homey, sleepy vibe and great lake views. Owners are proud of their fish heaven: top specialities feature risotto with perch, whitefish butter and sage, and missoltini (dried salted shads). In winter, it’s more little birds and polenta cornmeal mush. As a digestive, order basil liqueur verdino.

Address: Crotto Valdurino, Via Antonio, Via Besana, 37, 22010 Moltrasio CO, Italy
Website: instagram.com

Trattoria del Porto

Fish specialities top the menu of this authentic, family-run hostaria. Alongside perch risotto and various fish pâté, try the miascia fruit and bread pie. It’s a dreamy, timeless lake-shore stone cottage on the outskirts of Careno village, among the quietest, offbeat corners of Lake Como. The best way to get here is by boat or foot, walking down from Lariana road across narrow cobble alleys and twisted step paths. The little panoramic veranda, with an ivy-covered roof, has red tablecloths and wrought iron chairs.

Address: Trattoria del Porto, Via del Pontile, 26, 22020 Careno CO, Italy
Website: facebook.com

Il Gatto Nero

With its elegant wooden decor ideal for a romantic dinner or special occasion, this high-end, rustic-chic establishment has one of the best lake views. Perched on a promontory from Cernobbio to Mount Bisbino, there’s a panoramic stone terrace and cosy lounge surrounded by palms and flowers where you might bump into George Clooney. The owners describe it as “a corner of paradise”. Signature dishes, all thoughtfully sourced, include maltagliati short pasta with rabbit ragout sauce and roasted octopus.

Address: Il Gatto Nero, Via Della Liberta', 69, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
Website: ristorantegattonero.it

I Tigli in Theoria

Prepare for sophisticated grandeur at this one-Michelin-starred restaurant in Como’s ancient district. Located in Renaissance Palazzo del Vescovo, formerly the bishop’s residence, it boasts an internal courtyard with a garden, columned porches, frescoes and coffered ceilings. You can see the chef prepare his creations in an open-air kitchen. Tables are on two floors in various rooms, each with typical ancient stoves and a lounge bar for aperitivo. The multi-course tasting menu includes concoctions such as ‘wood-free range Hen Egg, asparagus, tamarind, and coconut milk’.

Address: I Tigli in Theoria, Via Bianchi Giovini, 41, 22100 Como CO, Italy
Website: theoriagallery.it

Crotto del Misto

Located in the hamlet of Frazione Crotto, it’s a wine lovers’ mecca. There’s a historic cave winery dating back to the seventeenth century where a freshwater source sprouting from the rocks creates a balanced humidity that helps wines season better. The lake-front stone floor veranda with wooden ceiling beams enclosed by tall glass windows has a private deck for clients’ boats. Dishes have a modern twist, such as handmade fettuccine pasta with fish ragout and grilled white fish with burnt butter sauce.

Address: Crotto del Misto, Frazione Crotto, 10, 22025 Lezzeno CO, Italy
Website: crottodelmisto.com

Il Sereno al Lago

Set inside the lavish Hotel Il Sereno on Torno’s lake banks, in an isolated spot, this creative one-Michelin star cuisine temple offers a mix of Lombard iconic recipes, vegan dishes and modern twists. You’ll be dining al fresco on a terrace deck suspended above the water with views of villages on the opposite bank. Fancy exotic twists include spaghetti with cashew butter, tonka bean and perilla vinegar, Savoy cabbage tempura, arctic char and cod dashi. While rabbit “cacciatore “(cooked the ‘huntsman way) terrine with turnip greens are more traditional recipes.

Address: Il Sereno al Lago, Via Torrazza, 10, 22020 Torno CO, Italy
Website: serenohotels.com

La Fattoria

Located in the town of Gravedona ed Uniti, on the less crowded north-western lake shore, this family-run Lake Como restaurant serves simple local handmade recipes, including tasty appetizers Sciatt (crunchy buckwheat balls with cheese), pizzoccheri pasta and gnocchetti chiavennaschi, little gnocchi made with bread crumbs. Surrounded by views of the Valtellina Alps, there’s a cosy terrace with just a handful of eaters and a playground for kids.

Address: La Fattoria, Via Brenzio, 4, 22015 Gravedona ed Uniti CO, Italy
Website: ristolafattoria.it

Imperialino

Imagine dining in a vast palm garden with elegant tables that run along what is dubbed the ‘Romantic Riva’ (shore) of Lake Como in the village of Moltrasio. Cell phones must be silenced, and no smoking is allowed, even in the open air. Among the most mouthwatering dishes are tagliatelle with cured salmon trout, pink pepper, black garlic, ricotta cheese and lake caviar, and poached sturgeon with prosecco sauce and vanilla-flavoured fennels.

Address: Ristorante Imperialino, Via Regina, 26, 22010 Moltrasio CO, Italy
Website: imperialino.it

La Costa

Set in one of Lecco’s typical stone agriturismo, an 1800’s idyllic farmhouse turned into a restaurant and B&B, you’ll enjoy the slow-pace, bucolic vibe. There’s a locally sourced seasonal menu that changes every month. Signature dishes include risotto with nettle and roasted goat with bitter chicory, raisin and almonds. In addition, the former barn has been turned into a wine-tasting canteen. Pair the meal with a bottle from La Costa’s own wine label.

Address: Agriturismo La Costa, Via Galbusera Nera, 2, 23888 La Valletta Brianza (Lc), Italy
Website: la-costa.it

Crotto dei Pescatori

You’ll be eating fresh lake fish with your feet practically in the water. This lake-front humble tavern on sleepy Lezzeno beach with views of the surrounding hills is a former warehouse where gomballi fishermen sailing boats would deliver their daily catch to markets and local families. With the lake breeze caressing your face, indulge in fish pâté with almond sauce, delicate white-red carp and trout with green sauce, or try one of the many fish risottos. To sleep it off, upstairs, there are a few B&B rooms.

Address: Crotto dei Pescatori, Località Casate, 77, 22025 Lezzeno CO, Italy
Website: crottodeipescatori.com