Where to eat in Lodi. The 7 best restaurants chosen by Gambero Rosso

It is less than an hour's drive from Milan, but if the day is promising, don't be lazy and make the most of it by bicycle: the cycle path along the banks of the Lambro river passes along a spectacular route through the greenery, and is also within the reach of the less trained. Lodi is a quiet town of just under 45,000 inhabitants where the pace is still slow and the artistic and gastronomic heritage full of surprises. Piazza della Vittoria, the cathedral, the Museum of Printing and Printing Art, not to mention the good food, which can count on excellences ranging from Grana Padano to raspadura, and specialities such as risotto in many variations and the sandy cake of Maleo. Here are the best addresses - of all kinds, from breweries to pastry shops and bakeries - for the guide Lombardy - The Best of Milan and the Other Provinces, where - curiously enough - the province has the most new additions in proportion to the addresses listed.

Where to eat in Lodi, the best restaurants

The Bridge Pub

Brewery. The long dark wooden bar in perfect English pub style takes centre stage. It is just 10 years since The Bridge became a popular meeting place in the city for brew lovers but also for those who want to spend an evening with chats, mugs and something more than good to nibble on. Sandwiches and burgers are popular, but it's not just them. Obviously the choice of beers is wide and unconventional, the staff young and smart.

The Bridge Pub - via X Maggio - 392 1672363 – Facebook

Polj Photography

La Coldana

Restaurant. The Roman Alessandro Proietti Refrigeri can be said to be Lombard by adoption: a chef with important experience between Rome and Noma, he found success at Villa Naj in Stradella and in November 2022 moved slightly northwards to lead the historic restaurant in the Lodigiano. In the old farmhouse with its linear and modern interior, the kitchen has been completely renovated, with a separate bakery area and a rich wine cellar on the upper floor. There is no doubt about the chef's talent, the three menus (five, seven and nine courses) confirm this in full, and the feeling that the restaurant can grow further is there, as it ranges from classicism, references to tradition, and pure creativity. Among the best things: Carnaroli risotto, lemon and saffron whipped butter, pink shrimp crudo; pigeon and apricot in three services; sole in a warm seafood panzanella.

La Coldana - via privata del Costino - 0371 431742 – ristorantelacoldana.it

Fer - Forneria Artigiana

Panetteria & Bakery. Every day of the week there is a different proposal, but everything is made with sourdough and stone-ground organic flours from small local mills. So 100% wholemeal flour, with seeds, multigrain, chickpea, the Saturday special, but also cakes and leavened breakfast items, as well as pizza by the slice with seasonal toppings. Young and enthusiastic staff.

Fer - Forneria Artigiana - via Marsala, 38 - 375 5407202 – ferpizza.it

Galbiati

Pastries. Galbiati is the classic that never goes out of fashion, a reference point for many loyal customers. The speciality here is small pastries, such as the fragrant cannoncini with cream, cream puffs, fruit tartlets, chocolate flames, and biscuits. Also good are the breakfast pastries, above all the croissants, to go with coffee and cappuccinos. Completing the picture are the cakes, traditional (from the typical Tortionata to rice cakes), classic (such as meringue, Mont Blanc, Sacher) and customised. Courteous service.

Galbiati - p.zza Castello, 21 - 0371 427306 – Instagram

Ilde Bottega e Cucina

Pausa Gourmet. It was born from the ashes of a historic trattoria, Due Agnelli, closed in 1983 and reopened by Elena, Ilde's granddaughter, who had been its cook and owner with her husband since the 1950s. Re-opened at the beginning of summer 2023, it is now a neighbourhood shop but also a cosy eatery with a "sharing" menu and dishes made with selected ingredients and even a touch of whimsy.

Ilde Bottega e Cucina - via Castelfidardo, 12 - 375 8020367 – Instagram

Masseroni

Café & Bar. It is one of the city centre's salons with a well-articulated proposal between bar and pastry shop. The café is of high quality, thanks to a fine blend that creates excellent cups and mugs to be enjoyed 'in purity' or combined with small pastries and traditional pastries. At lunchtime, sandwiches and sandwiches (here called 'volante', meaning flying due to their lightness) are the order of the day, but there are also salads and a few dishes. For aperitifs cocktails (the list is extensive) and savoury appetisers. Young and friendly service.

Masseroni - c.so Roma, 86 - 0371 1920077 – Facebook

The Wellington Pub

Brewery. A little off the beaten track, this is a nice surprise for craft beer lovers. The style is that of an Irish pub, and the offer includes about twenty rotating draughts plus a nice selection in bottles. Not only that, but the food, also pub-style, gives great satisfaction: there are “product” combinations (especially cheese), but also Tex-Mex specialities, burgers and seasonal specialities.

The Wellington Pub - via Felice Cavallotti, 17 - 347 9422767 – Facebook