The best restaurants Lombardy

In the heart of the countryside, this traditional farmhouse (the cascina of northern Italy) is a complete change of scenery if you think that Milan is only 40 km away. In the farmhouse, now an agriturismo, there are a few simple but comfortable rooms, and in the old stable, a simply delicious country restaurant. On the (fixed) menu, a succession of traditional regional dishes that will be hard to finish: from cold meats to homemade desserts, including meat and pork products. An address not to be missed when discovering the abbeys of Lombardy

Along the lively Via Bergamo, here's a cool bistro that has become the temple of meat in town. Tasty burgers, fillets and ribs, served with good wine or beer. Good value for money. The choice of starters remains rather classic, with a focaccia and a loaded charcuterie board, while the tartars and burgers are more creative: beef tartare with truffle, redcurrants and mint and beef burger with parmesan cream and saffron or beer and red cabbage!

Not bad at all for a wine bar that was simply banking on bar food! The Vespolina, just a stone's throw from Piazza Ducale, is the place to be in Vigevano, for its beautiful and well-stocked cellar of regional wines, as well as for its dishes that are not lacking in originality. Burgers with very good meat, curious salads, well garnished sandwiches and boards, as well as some originalities such as the lacquered tuna, or the sautéed pork sandwich with its onion rings. Very popular also ataperitivo time by a young clientele who love good wines.

With copper pans on the walls, doily lamps and the bells of Pavia's Duomo echoing nearby, the atmosphere here is deliciously timeless. At Peo (another name for the osteria, named after founder Pompeo), the menu evolves with the seasons. You'll find dishes typical of Lombardy: antipasti to share, featuring charcuterie, risotti to die for and expertly cooked meats. All to be accompanied by a particularly renowned Oltrepò Pavese wine, such as Buttafuoco.

Young and friendly address, just a few steps away from Piazza Vecchia in the Upper Town. This small temple of beer, which stretches widely on the pavement in Piazza Mascheroni in the summer, is always full of happy drinkers who come to relax after a day's work. An accomplished pub that serves only homemade beers, the Osteria della Birra also does well in terms of catering with tasty paninis, boards of cold meats and cheese and abundant pasta dishes

In the heart of Menaggio, an excellent little brasserie, where regional specialities are served with a smile and in abundance. Gourmet cheese boards, cold meats and bruschette to whet the appetite, tasty primi just like at grandma's, and meats and fish we can't fault. Polenta (a cornmeal-based porridge) is never in short supply, often served with traditional missolitini (preserved fish dried under salt). Terrace for fine weather.

Almost hidden in the maze of alleys of the beautiful district of the 5 Vie, between Sant'Ambrogio and Piazza Cordusio, a tiny address with a very green attitude. Fruits, vegetables and cereals are exclusively organic, all very healthy, very fresh. Quick to order and to taste, with a very low environmental impact. Wide choice of soups, smoothies, sandwiches, but also pasta or quinoa salads, chicken, salmon or vegetable and cheese rolls... A fast-food restaurant where you can fill up on vitamins. Everything can be delivered to your home and sold to take away.

This large Milanese covered market is part of the project to redevelop the entire Darsus, at the mouth of the old Navigli. The market has become a real market, where you can find seasonal fruit and vegetables (from grapes to oranges), cheeses, sausages, eggs, hot bread, meat, rice, organic products, local wines, fresh pasta and honey. What's nice is that the merchants offer small snacks and even aperitifs at any time of the day. To pick up on the go: fish brochettes, burgers, or cheese with a good glass of wine.

Small bistro within walking distance of Porta Romana, where the pasta reign as a queen and is treated consequently. Rigorously fresh and produced on the spot, "its majesty" is used accompanied by stew as rabbit, cheek of pork, pesto sauce and prawns, octopus or of anchovies and tomatos cherries. Some enticing suggestions of meat and fish also, for portions which privilege quality with the quantity.

A few wooden tables a little too close together and pizzette al tegamino (small pizzas in their mould) baked in an electric oven, this is what you will find at Meucci, located one street away from Castello Sforzesco. The pizzettes are deliciously thin and crunchy, despite appearances, as evidenced by the fact that the address has been open to the public since the 1960s. And although the legendary owners have handed over to new managers, the flavours are still there. Kids will love it, grown-ups will love it!

Here is an address not to be missed to enjoy a good pizza in the city of Gardone. Its perfect position in the narrow streets of the historic centre with a spectacular panoramic terrace overlooking the lake where the restaurant's tables are set is an asset, as is its cuisine, which is acclaimed for its execution and the quality of its products. Wood-fired oven, well worked dough with the right levitation, and crunchy to the point! Excellent homemade beers. The ideal place to spend a pleasant evening without spending too much!

This is a beautiful wine bar address in the heart of Como. At the entrance, stalls of regional sausages and cheeses invite you to a small tasting session, all washed down with excellent wines, while a shop selling gastronomic specialities (some with black truffles) allows you to discover other local flavours. A la carte, the rabbit medallion with sage is unforgettable. The owner's warm service completes the setting to ensure that the evening is as perfect as possible. All in all, you have a good time and come back with pleasure!

Perched on the heights of Gargnano, just opposite the Loggia Marti B&B, this little restaurant frequented by locals has the double attraction of offering a lovely view of the lake and the foothills of the village. But it also offers low prices for hearty regional dishes, providing excellent value for money, such as the beef tartare with parmesan shavings. Some vegetarian options. Very friendly service and family atmosphere, reservations recommended for evenings and weekends. Good choice of wines to accompany dishes.

A small and practical address to eat delicious piadine at a low price, to take with you for a picnic by the lake for example. Piadine are a kind of flatbread, similar to wraps, filled with various ingredients (mozzarella di bufala, tomato, arugula, etc.). Many choices, vegetarian or not, and even the possibility of testing the gluten-free dough. You are bound to find what you are looking for and, the big plus: the place is always open, which is practical in case of unforeseen events or late arrival. Excellent value for money.

Everything that arrives on the table of this bistro is steamed on the spot: meat, fish and vegetables are served in small wooden baskets that are very environmentally friendly. But there's no shortage of fresh offerings like the Life Bowls: bowls bursting with mango, goji berries, bananas, agave, maracuja, granola and other vitamin-rich freshness. Smoothies, macedonies and pressed fruit are also on the menu. About sixty seats distributed over two floors in a functional, linear facility, perfect for lunch break.

A friendly bistro just a few steps from the city centre, offering tasty traditional cuisine. The ground floor of an old building, whose decoration is composed of vintage pieces, some contemporary paintings as well as antique furniture, welcomes a clientele of regulars as well as curious people who are well on their way to taste meat specialties whose menu is never lacking. Roasts, braised meats and spit-roasted cockerels are always appreciated. Welcoming and friendly with an excellent price-quality ratio.

The restaurant, based on the site of a former monastery, high up on a hill, enjoys a beautiful panorama. A charming and suggestive place. A large terrace overlooking the swimming pool allows you to enjoy the view and the tranquillity of the countryside. The menu offers a wide choice of dishes, from international cuisine to regional recipes from the lake. A cuisine of quality, based on local products such as the excellent olive oil produced by the owner and his family, one of the pluses of the place!

A deep-fried paradise with a very Trainspotting atmosphere. Everything is fried, everything is good and everything is cheap (from €5 for a fry). The secret is in the fried dough, which, with the right flour, is cooked in the right oil at the right temperature. On the menu: shrimp, cod, chicken nuggets, but also zucchini flowers, eggplant and cordon bleu. Fries are a logical accompaniment, to be dipped in a choice of over 50 different sauces. To drink, a selection of 16 craft beers.

A small neighbourhood bistro run by two sisters and frequented by a clientele of regulars. The setting is informal but neat with wicker chairs, wooden tables, exposed beams and brick vaults, but a few orchids give it a certain style. There is a set menu for lunch and an à la carte menu in the evening, for a healthy and traditional cuisine. The plus: the selection of vegetarian or vegan dishes and gluten-free pizzas for those who prefer. In short, a place that's got it all and where you're sure to bring out satisfied taste buds.

Friendly and charming atmosphere in this historic brasserie with old stones, in an old vaulted cellar. Behind the stoves, the best of Brescian cuisine is prepared for you to enjoy - with a special focus on polenta and excellent local cheeses. Marco Poteri, the chef, also works to combine the culinary traditions of the region with modern cooking techniques and tasty adaptations in the preparations. The wine list has 250 references, enough to make you discover beautiful nuggets.

Since the 1960s, the temple of the panino has been located in this small bar-bistro in the Porta Romana neighborhood. More than 150 varieties of sandwiches with extravagant fillings seduce office workers as well as spectators of the nearby Carcano theater. However, the change in management has robbed this charming address of its original authenticity. But the panini are epic, and at lunch or dinner, you'll leave satisfied and full. Try theAugusto, a panino that you eat with a spoon. To discover...

This brewery takes its name from the pesa, an old measuring system for goods, placed in front of the entrance. Three wooded rooms, where you can breathe the scent of Milan of yesteryear, welcome you to the same place where Ho Chi Minh was said to have liked to come and eat. The kitchen offers a Milanese meal according to the rules of the art: saffron risotto, breaded chop and nervetti salad (small veal nerves) that will leave you with excellent memories. In season mushroom recipes.

Situated where the town's port used to be, this little bistro has a rustic, welcoming atmosphere, with wooden tables and paper tablecloths, in its pretty arcaded room. It serves carefully prepared regional specialties. Typical dishes include pumpkin ravioli with melted butter and sage, fried frogs, polenta and horsemeat, and cooked snails. For dessert, sbrisolona shortbread and chocolate sausage are served with a fine local wine.

This brasserie has an air of France about it, yet it's in the best Milanese tradition. At the entrance, an old zinc counter welcomes you, while in the dining room, close-knit tables, wooden chairs and old posters on the walls set the tone for a very pleasant space. On the menu, an excellent breaded Milanese cutlet and exquisite homemade desserts such as gelato al forno. Also a pizzeria, the olive paste pizza is surely one of the tastiest and most original.

A Milan classic that never disappoints. Much frequented by journalists at the nearby Corriere della Sera headquarters, Rigolo offers tasty and careful Tuscan-inspired cuisine. In an elegantly classic setting, the "bourgeois" address is reminiscent of a Sunday meal. Very good fish dishes and legendary bolliti misti (meat and vegetables boiled in broth) served only on Thursdays (lunch and dinner) and only between October and February, with exquisite sauces as an accompaniment. Reservation recommended.

In the minimal and chic universe of Armani, a Japanese restaurant could not miss… In the heart of the Quadrilatera de la Mode, in the concept store of the Milanese designer, it is the ideal place for a sushi break (but also tempura, sashimi and bento) after a day of shopping. Stop on the ground floor and enjoy a drink at the «designissime» bar-lounge. 

Situated on the shores of Lake Como, in a quiet area on this small lake island, this restaurant is a little bit special.... At La Locanda, only one menu is served, the same one since 1947, the opening date of the restaurant. A change of scenery is guaranteed. The menu includes wine, service and all taxes. It starts with a tomato salad and various raw vegetables accompanied by a glass of wine. Then, grilled salmon and chicken before cheese and dessert: fruit and cream. Not to be missed.

Right next to the little harbor, this restaurant has well earned its Michelin star. Once the introductions have been made, the rest is self-evident: a choice of gourmet meat or fish menus, small portions, appetizers to open the meal and refined service. And yet La Tortuga is not a pretentious restaurant. Few tables, bright colors and a warm welcome immediately relax the atmosphere. People come from far and wide to sit down in La Tortuga's pretty dining room, which is now one of the best on the lake.

If you are looking for authenticity it is by the Rasiga that you will need to pass. A traditional wooden chalet, once a sawmill, which offers a fixed menu at fixed prices. Under your eyes, dildo défilent of cold meats, soup of barley, inescapable pizzoccheri, stuffed pasta, deer civet, pork chops and its potatoes in the oven and a variety of desserts, from pie to apple strudel, cheese and final coffee. 35 €, but really well spent!

Don't be discouraged by the rustic appearance of Piedigrotta. In spite of appearances, here we eat the best pizza in town. The Neapolitan managers brought their recipes and ingredients to this alley in the centre of Varese. The buffalo mozzarella is well melted and the dough is tender and crunchy as it should be. Moreover, the presentation is original, with each pizza accompanied by a small glass of sauce placed in the middle. The youth of Varese, fond of "good and cheap" addresses, has made it one of its favourite haunts

This restaurant is an old railwaymen's canteen, a meeting place for employees of the nearby Stazione Centrale. Today, it serves tasty cuisine based on the culinary traditions of various Italian regions, such as spaghetti with sardines or goose in prune sauce. Special mention goes to the cheeses and charcuterie. The address is also famous for its Art Nouveau setting, in particular the Salle Liberty, a large function room that hosts monthly tango evenings.

Nice atmosphere in this friendly downtown restaurant. One sits in a stone-vaulted room, an old 17th century barn, to savour well-presented regional specialities (with a clear tendency towards the gastronomic refinement of a great chef) and accompanied by the best local wines. For example, why not let yourself be tempted by the antipasti of Valtellina cold cuts, followed by the traditional pizzocheri and a small roast lamb? Forget about your figure and discover the regional gastronomic heritage!

The restaurant is close to the historic centre. You can settle in one of its three magnificent rooms with exposed stones. The cuisine is Mediterranean and creative. A Michelin star, you're warned!

5 km southwest of Varese, here is an address that should not be missed if you have a vehicle. Not far from the lake, this beautiful 1928 th century building has been in operation since, when Annetta (the grandmother) served local cuisine for passers-by. Since then, the service, the frame and the table have been refined thanks to the good care of the family, without losing the taste of authentic flavours. A romantic and charming setting to taste regional specialities, meticulously revisited.

A simple, unpretentious place, but in the space of a few years, has become very fashionable among the good Milanese society. Frequented by celebrities such as Miuccia Prada and Adriano Celentano, you can enjoy a healthy and tasty cuisine with a small touch of Tuscan specialities. Very good pizza too.

Perched on the hill, this recently opened restaurant is not lacking in assets. The view of Brescia is breathtaking, and the food is delicious, with a platter of cold cuts and cheeses to whet your appetite before continuing with grilled meats from the region.

Wide choice of pizze. The taste buds are., and that's what counts.

A pizzeria among the best known of the Navigli. Pizza, very fine and wide, is enough to satisfy the most ferocious appetites. Several types of pizzas are proposed, some adapted to various intolerances: white pizza (without tomato sauce), gluten free pizza, lactose-free, and even pizza flour.

On the side of the road, not really in the centre, but not too far either, with a decoration that could not be more banal, and yet... the piadine are divine here. These thin patties, between Swedish bread and focaccia, are the typical Italian alternative to panini. People come from far and wide to the Piada de Crema to try them: more than fifty fillings, from ham to cheese, from pâté to grilled vegetables, not forgetting the sweet version with Nutella. On the spot or to take away. Be careful at lunchtime: it's always crowded.

Despite its good reputation, this enticing à la carte restaurant was a real disappointment, both for its minestrone soup and its tasteless risotto. Too bad.

In a pretty area of the centre, a few steps from the banks of the Mincio, there is a friendly bistro with colourful tones where you can taste local specialities. It takes its name from Fragoletta, a theatre actress and good cook who used to receive her admirers here in the 18th century. On the menu there is an appetizing choice: pike in anchovy and vegetable sauce with polenta, ravioli with pumpkin butter and sage, horse stew with red wine and a beautiful platter of local cheeses accompanied by the unavoidable mostarda with candied fruit. Tiramisu and sbrisolona for dessert.

An intriguing address, housed in an old palace whose beautiful rooms serve as a wine bar, a boutique selling great wines and a gourmet bistro. A choice of remarkable labels is combined with a few delicately prepared gourmet recipes such as octopus served with potatoes, potato or pumpkin cream, quail with white grapes or minced beef with boletus. The setting is neat and romantic, especially in the pretty, well-lit inner courtyard. A favourite with regulars.

In the fourns for twenty years, a sympathetic couple of Trieste, great collectors of cutters and small liqueur glasses whose copies adorn the rooms. Their cuisine vogue between Milanese tradition with a French touch and Italian regional specialties. The atmosphere is young and very friendly.

A pizzeria with terrace and convenient prices. There are good pizzas, but also fish from the lake.

A little corner of Rome in the heart of Milan. This restaurant has already won over a loyal following of diners who can't get enough of its informal, dolce vita trattoria atmosphere. Two courses in the evening, under the supervision of the owner who arrived in Milan with the ambition of promoting Roman cuisine, in two small, discreetly lit rooms where every evening, recipes from the capital put on a show: bucatini all'amatriciana, spaghetti cacio e pepe, baked abbacchio, saltimbocca à la romaine, artichokes à la juive and many more...

Located in Lenno's main square, close to the church of San Giovanni Battista, the trattoria Santo Stefano has a simple setting, but serves good food. In the kitchen, owner and chef Giovanni Sansone has been running the place for 10 years, offering an original, high-quality menu. On the menu: grilled fish from the lake or typical dishes such as cauliflower ravioli, which are a delight to savor. We particularly appreciate the terrace and the tables that are set up when the fine weather arrives.

A few steps from the Roman ruins of Via Moriggi, an ancient osteria dating back to the 1920 s with its original home. It sounds in a cellar, which is true because this place is mostly a oenothèque. There are also exceptional Italian sausage plates and a few hot dishes like the traditional maccheroni al.

A small room, once a dairy, now converted into a bistro and now the kingdom of Chef Arturo. A very busy place, especially for journalists from the neighbouring Corriere della Sera . A family run business that offers daily traditional dishes such as stewed pasta, bean soup, but also a lot of vegetables such as this cauliflower served with rice, and roast veal with zucchini juice. The organic wine can be drunk well; a reproach, its position in the heart of Brera has let the prices on the menu go up somewhat.