Three days at Lake Como in 17 destinations: Trattorias, Osterias and Fine Dining

Lake Como isn’t just a picture-postcard destination: it’s a refined and flavourful experience that unfolds among tranquil waters, gentle mountains and villages suspended in time. Dodging overtourism and entry fees our journey begins in Como, the city that gives the lake its name, known for its Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral and the funicular railway leading up to Brunate – a panoramic terrace offering breathtaking views. In the historic centre, artisan boutiques alternate with elegant patisseries: a cappuccino with a slice of miascia cake is the perfect way to start the day.

Villas, gardens and a slow cruise

A must-visit is Villa Olmo, but for a true lake experience, one must board a boat. From Como, head up towards Tremezzina, passing by Cernobbio (home to the iconic Villa d’Este) and Laglio, now famous as George Clooney’s residence. Arriving in Tremezzo, you’ll find one of Lake Como’s jewels: Villa Carlotta, with its botanical gardens and neoclassical interiors.

Crossing the lake brings you to Bellagio, considered the pearl of the lake: nestled between the two branches, it impresses with its elegant layout, flowered arcades and stone stairways. Here, time seems to slow down—especially at sunset—while sipping a glass of local white wine by the water.

Not to be missed, aside from beautiful but tourist-packed Varenna, is Menaggio, elegant and laid-back, a great starting point for mountain excursions. And the Comacina Island —the lake’s only island—where every summer its medieval destruction is reenacted with fireworks and performances.

Dining on the lake: fish, polenta and contemporary touches

Lake Como’s cuisine is a fascinating blend of rustic simplicity and refined influences. Freshwater fish take centre stage: whitefish (lavarello), shad (agone), perch—grilled, marinated or fried—often served with yellow polenta. But there are also Valtellina cured meats, alpine cheeses, pizzoccheri in mountain huts, and traditional desserts like nocciolini di Canzo or torta paesana.

Some restaurants reinterpret tradition with a contemporary flair: a trout tartare with citrus and fennel can surprise as much as a perch risotto made using the old recipe. Forgotten fish species also return to the spotlight, like Bottatrice (burbot), prepared at àbitat Restaurant (grilled with lard and its milt), paired with water chestnut in aromatic broth. Bottatrice is the “little-known lobster of the lake”: once common in fishermen’s nets, now known only by the oldest locals.

Lake Como in 17 destinations

Here are 17 curated addresses, ranging from fine dining to traditional trattorias, osterias and contemporary-style venues around the lake. Listed in alphabetical order by town.

COMO

Feel Como
via Diaz 54 – 334 7264545 – feelcomo.com
In the historic centre, a small and refined spot, the realm of Federico Beretta and sommelier Elisa Forlanelli, who champion local cuisine starring lake fish. Booking essential.

Sottovoce at Vista Palazzo Lago di Como
p.zza Cavour, 24 – 031 5375241 – vistalagodicomo.com
Set in a boutique hotel with enchanting lake views, this restaurant focuses on local cuisine, with emphasis on lake fish and seasonal ingredients.

Tira Mola e Meseda
via Gabriele Castellini, 17 – 031 275 9735 – tiramolameseda.it
Awarded “Territory Ambassador” in the Gambero Rosso Lombardia 2024 Guide, this trattoria offers traditional Como cuisine in a cosy and well-kept environment.

APPIANO GENTILE

Il Portico
p.zza Libertà, 36 – 031 931982 – @ilportico 
The restaurant of chef Paolo Lopriore and Anna Claudia Grossi. A disciple of Gualtiero Marchesi and a key figure in contemporary Italian cuisine, Lopriore offers a unique concept: a “deconstructed” tasting menu that changes daily, based on local and seasonal ingredients.

Ristorante Tarantola
via della Resistenza, 29 – Tel. +39 031 930990 – ristorantetarantola.it
Featured in the Gambero Rosso 2025 Guide, this restaurant is known for the creativity of chef Vittorio Tarantola and his team, delivering a culinary experience that blends tradition and innovation.

BELLAGIO

Mistral at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni
via Roma, 1 – Tel. +39 031 950216 – villaserbelloni.com
Led by chef Ettore Bocchia, Mistral is renowned for introducing molecular gastronomy to Italy. Also offers expertly reimagined traditional dishes.

Alle Darsene di Loppia
fraz. Loppia – via al Porto, 1 – 031 952069 – ristorantedarsenediloppia.com
A pleasant spot offering a solid menu rooted in the territory, well balanced between land and lake/sea dishes. Excellent wine list and friendly service.

Ristorante La Punta
via Eugenio Vitali, 19 – 031 951888 – ristorantelapunta.it
Traditional lake cuisine in one of the most scenic spots on the lake.

BLEVIO

L’Aria at Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como
via E. Caronti, 69 – 031 32511 – mandarinoriental.com
Inside the Mandarin Oriental, L’Aria is led by chef Vincenzo Guarino and offers refined cuisine merging tradition and innovation, with breathtaking lake views.

NESSO

Trattoria del Porto
fraz. Careno – via del Pontile, 26 – 031 910195 – @TrattoriadelPorto.Careno
A traditional trattoria with typical lake cuisine, a popular spot with beautiful views of the basin and a fixed menu (unchanged for 35 years) featuring lake fish.

CERNOBBIO

Materia
via Trieste, 1b – 031 2075548 – ristorantemateria.it
Chef Davide Carachini and team offer a clear vision: a cuisine based on vegetables and seasonality, rooted in thought and craftsmanship, aiming for maximum flavour.

Enoteca CantinaFrasca
via Regina, 55 – Tel. +39 031 3347084 – osteriacernobbiocantinafrasca.it
Historic wine shop with excellent wines, a welcoming atmosphere, and straightforward, flavourful cooking in a venue reminiscent of old cellars.

MOLTRASIO

Passalacqua
via Besana, 59 – 031 44311 – passalacqua.it
In the kitchens of what Fifty Best named the world’s best hotel, chef Viviana Varese brings her “restless” star to a more homely style, delighting holidaymakers with strong yet accessible ideas.

SALA COMACINA

Locanda La Tirlindana
p.zza G. Matteotti, 5 – 0344 56637 – latirlindana.it
Lakeside cuisine, lavarello ravioli, and homemade desserts under centuries-old wisteria

SAN FERMO DELLA BATTAGLIA

àbitat Restaurant
fraz. Cavallasca – via H. Dunant, 1 – 349 0683973 – abitatproject.it
Fire and flames, foraging and fermentations in a kitchen where food cost is kept to a minimum, all within the minimal and conceptual space of àbitat, located between Como and Canton Ticino.

SORICO

Beccaccino
via Boschetto, 49 – 0344 84241 – ristorantebeccaccino.it
A rare figure of fisherman-chef, Romeo Landi heads out on his boat every night to bring the lake’s treasures to the table the next day. Here, lavarelli, pike and agoni are honoured and enhanced to the fullest.

TORNO

Al Lago at Il Sereno Hotel
via Torrazza, 10 – Tel. +39 031 5477800 – serenohotels.com
Led by chef Raffaele Lenzi, this restaurant offers contemporary cuisine with attention to detail and high-quality ingredients, in an elegant setting with stunning lake views.