The lake in winter, like the sea, is a gem for connoisseurs. When spring arrives and the warming climate encourages people to leave the city, it becomes an extremely popular destination for a diverse audience, including families, sports enthusiasts, foreign tourists, and Italians seeking peace, nature, and, of course, good food. This is especially true when it comes to Garda, the largest lake in the national territory, which touches three regions - Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino in the provinces of Brescia, Verona, and Trento - and offers spectacular views and a continuously growing culinary scene, both in terms of haute cuisine and traditional taverns. Below are a series of addresses where Easter lunch becomes a gourmet experience in its most suggestive corners, mostly with panoramic views.
Where to Eat at Easter on Lake Garda:
Capriccio
From the outdoor terrace - one of the largest and most spectacular on the lake - you can see a generous portion of Valtenesi and Lower Garda. But now there is a new indoor dining room that makes the venue more charming and linear, with perfect lighting. Giuliana Germiniasi and her daughter Francesca Tassi form one of the golden female pairs of our catering industry and continue on the path that has made Capriccio beloved even abroad, with the right modern touch. Tasty dishes, not too elaborate, with plenty of sea fish that barely make it out of the menu, along with original proposals. The Easter menu (105 euros) does not disappoint, supported as always by a classy service and an interesting wine list.
Capriccio - Manerba del Garda (BS) - loc. Montinelle - p.zza San Bernardo, 6 - 0365 551124 - ristorantecapriccio.it
CasaLeali
In a privileged position among the hills of Valtenesi that overlook the lake from above, the restaurant of the Leali brothers, Marco and Andrea, housed in a charming fifteenth-century farmhouse, is one of the most interesting fine dining establishments in the area. On the menu, Garda is the starting point for a refined and mature gastronomic reflection that enhances its treasures - think of olive oil - but also ranges throughout Italy. For Easter, a tasting menu at 100 euros: marinated alpine char, fennel saor, and buttermilk; melting trout, turnip celery, and horseradish; liquid sphere with green lemon and spices. Excellent and deep wine cellar.
CasaLeali - Puegnago sul Garda (BS) - fraz. Palude - via Valle, 1 - 366 5296042 - casalealiristorante.it
La Casa degli Spiriti
The location at the top of Garda is splendid, with logistical capacity for events and special occasions that are foolproof. But the place deserves a stop even for enthusiasts who can enjoy the terrace with an attached bistro and the veranda hosting tables with mise en place and gourmet cuisine. For Easter lunch, the menu is rich and inviting: grilled artichoke, Parmesan zabaglione, veal reduction, and almonds; Carnaroli rice, Rivoli asparagus, Sicilian prawns, and cooked wine must; potato gnocchi, Monteveronese fondue, and black truffle; Brogno lamb leg, lemon mashed potatoes, and roasted spring onion. The cellar, located within the eighteenth-century walls of the ancient and original dwelling, is beautiful and rich.
La Casa degli Spiriti - Costermano (VR) - via Monte Baldo, 28 - 045 6200766 - casadeglispiriti.it
Lido 84
Easter could be a great opportunity for an experience at the restaurant of the Camanini brothers, a place now frequented by gourmets from all over the world, industry professionals, and loyal patrons who arrive at the gate ahead of opening. Riccardo, an incredible talent in the kitchen, and Giancarlo, a versatile all-rounder, are completely devoted to this place in a magnificent position on the lake, where lunch or dinner remains long in the memory. The service, another strength, is provided by young people who queue up to work here. Booking in advance is recommended.
Lido 84 - loc. Fasano - c.so Zanardelli, 196 - 0365 20019 - ristorantelido84.com
MoS
The guys at MoS are undoubtedly one of the most interesting realities on Lake Garda, a concrete example of attention to the territory and sustainability not just for the sake of it, but in the service of a cuisine that is never banal and often reaches peaks of excellence due to the technique and imagination of Stefano Zanini (under 30, but experienced: the 'S' in the sign is his). In their menus, including the Easter one, the kitchen explores - always better - all fields: lake, land, sea, mountain. And so one delicious dish follows another: whipped tench, egg béarnaise, Garda spices, and then "transhumance grilled lamb" in chimichurri and spring leaves. Homemade Colomba cake and "Colzani manufacture" chocolate egg to finish.
MoS - Desenzano del Garda (BS) - via Porto Vecchio, 28 - 030 9143339 -ristorantemos.it
L'Osteria H2O
The view of the lake from the windows of the bright dining room is stunning. And then there is a refined atmosphere, professional yet relaxed service, and a research-driven cuisine with a contemporary vision that intrigues and convinces. In the Easter menu (80 euros), you'll find marinated alpine char with asparagus, soy pearls, and wasabi mayonnaise; herb tortellini, bitter reduction, Parmesan, and lemon mustard; "Our version" Brescian-style kid with polenta and potato terrine. The wine list is extensive, with many well-known Italian and French names.
L'Osteria H2O - Moniga del Garda (BS) - via Pergola, 10 - 0365 503225 - losteria-moniga.it
Qb DuePuntoZero
It's been almost ten years since QB moved from Campoverde to the elegant and bright venue on the lakeshore. Here, chef Alberto Bertani uses both local Garda ingredients and excellent national products with a few fusion touches. He doesn't disappoint in the Easter menu, a journey at 90 euros featuring dishes such as whipped pike with capers and Taggiasca olives, two consistencies of artichokes, and smoked brioche bread, fresh pasta ravioli stuffed with Brescian-style kid, Tombea velvet, and rosemary crumble, Lomellina black pork pluma with yakitori, potato mille-feuille, and thyme cardoncelli ragout. The wine list is extensive, with many well-known Italian and French names.
Qb DuePuntoZero - Salò (BS) - loc. Porta Sirena - via P. da Salò, 23 - 0365 520421 - qbduepuntozero.it
Locanda Perbellini ai Beati - Lake Garda
In the venue on the right bank of Garda, the Veronese chef not only revived a historic establishment but also immediately found the perfect balance in the kitchen. The location and the clientele elevate the creativity and ingredients (pure Italian, not only local) higher than the still excellent Milanese Locanda: pure Italianity, products not only from the territory, effective artistic touches. For Easter, there are creations such as fried artichoke, pecorino, and pepper, creamy risotto, asparagus, wild garlic pesto, "our" pistachio cannolo (80 euros). High-level service and atmosphere, as expected.
Locanda Perbellini ai Beati - Lago di Garda - Garda (VR) - via Val Mora, 57 - 045 6573114 - locandaperbelliniallago.it
Senso Lake Garda at Eala
The fine dining experience inside the regal Eala, curated by Alfio Ghezzi (also in Rovereto), with its spectacular lake view, has become one of the best in Lake Garda thanks to the ability of the Trentino chef to interpret with class, essentiality, and taste the lake and land's prime ingredients, creating original and always well-balanced dishes. The Easter menu can only offer further surprises. Precise service and appropriate wine cellar. It's worth staying overnight.
Senso Lake Garda in Eala - Limone sul Garda (BS) - via IV Novembre, 86 - 0365 954613 - ealalakegarda.com
Tancredi
Spinach, black cabbage, and watercress; Paolo Parisi eggs, lampascioni, and garusoli; burnt wheat buttons, scorpionfish, and samphire; gianduja, citrus fruits, and sweet curd: here is a taste of the menu proposed at 125 euros in the newly renovated Tancredi kitchen. Today, Vincenzo Manicone signs the menus of this paradise corner with an incredibly suggestive outdoor space. His style, characterized by creativity and childhood memories with great attention to the lake and vegetables, is evident also in the proposal for the festive Sunday. The wine cellar is always of an excellent standard.
Tancredi - Sirmione (BS) - via XXV Aprile, 75 - 030 9904391 - tancredi-sirmione.com
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