The best French cuisine restaurants Grands lacs italiens

Refined, "old-fashioned", this charming establishment is both a chic bistro and a café. Located a few steps from the Giardini Giusti in the Veronetta district, it is a picturesque stop for a bite to eat away from the crowds, especially during the summer. Ice cream, pastries and drinks are served at tea time, while carefully prepared plates await you at dinner time. Among the dishes to try: beef tartar, spaghetti bolognese, but also snails, cheese and cold cuts.

Checkered tablecloths, wooden chairs and tables and candles on the table: a neighbourhood brasserie atmosphere where you can taste very tasty Milanese and Tuscan dishes. Delicious antipasto delicatessen, to be eaten on a slice of gnocco fritto (fried bread). The plus: its unique position at the foot of the Basilica of San Lorenzo. On Sundays, enjoy a brunch with the flavours of the Mediterranean. Very popular even as an aperitif, it can be accompanied by tempting mini-portions of oysters, cold meats and even risotto.

It's impossible not to come across the Donizetti in the heart of the Ville Haute. Part bistro, part wine bar, this place pays tribute to the Bergamo composer in the best possible way: with tastings of products from the local culinary tradition. As an aperitif, try a platter of taleggio cheese or Bergamo sausage, accompanied by excellent Franciacorta vintages. For a more substantial meal, choose a dish of casoncelli or polenta with cheese or boletus, to be enjoyed indoors in the vaulted hall or under the medieval arbour outside.

In a quiet alleyway in Stresa, here is a small bistro with contemporary lines whose very good cuisine has been winning the loyalty of a local clientele for several years. On the plate, the high quality raw materials blend harmoniously together for a result that gives, among other examples, an excellent knife cut beef tartar, cheese gnocchi, seafood linguine or lamb chops with small vegetables... Wine list, served by the glass, to match the food.

In the courtyard of the elegant Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi, between Via Santo Spirito and Via Gesù, tucked between fashion boutiques and jewelers, this delicatessen offers Italian cuisine prepared with the finest products, all on sale inside. A chic, casual bar, where you can enjoy breakfast, a coffee break or an aperitif, also awaits customers.

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.

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.

This is the only restaurant on the island of San Giulio, and it sometimes relies a little too heavily on its enviable position and monopoly. Nevertheless, it remains an address that serves honest cuisine, highlighting traditional recipes in a simple manner. There is sometimes a bit of a wait, as you won't be the only one eager to enjoy the setting... But of course, the breathtaking view of the lake from the shaded terrace is worth a meal in itself.

A little set back from the lakeside and its tourist traps, it is said that Le Boeuc has been serving drinks to the local bon vivants since the 17th century. And the atmosphere hasn't changed much since then: at the same time cellar, wine bar and bistro, it's in the small room with exposed stones and beams that you'll be served copious plates of cheese, cold meats, bruschettas as well as nourishing soups. And all you have to do is choose one of the many bottles in the cellar. Perfect for an aperitif or a different meal.

Al Frate is a bit like the historical brewery of Brescia, characteristic in its decoration and in its cuisine which excels in regional specialities. Although the quality of the food is not to be blamed, it is a pity that the service is sometimes a little slow. It is therefore better not to be in a hurry. The cutting boards of cold meats and cheeses are excellent, with quality products. The osso buco is to be tried, it's a real delight! And the plates, in addition to being appetizing, are well stocked. Nice service

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.