Where to eat Italian food in Lake Maggiore: The Best Restaurants and Bars

March 2, 2020 Fernanda Pittenger

Best Italian restaurants nearby. Discover the best Italian food in Lake Maggiore. View Menus, Photos and Reviews for Italian restaurants near you.. On the south side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy. Since the climate is mild year-round, the area is filled with Mediterranean vegetation and exotic plants. Lake Maggiore was featured in Ernest Hemingway's infamous novel, A Farewell to Arms, when the protagonist and his lover must row across the lake in order to escape the Italian Carabinieri (think police in military uniforms). Here's hoping you won't have any run-ins of that nature.
Things to do in Lake Maggiore

10. Il Vicoletto

Vicolo del Poncivo 3, 28838, Stresa Italy Italian, Mediterranean Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service +39 0323 932102 http://www.ristorantevicoletto.com
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4 based on 1418 reviews

Il Vicoletto

Reviewed By rsm47

Tucked away in little more than an alley means outdoor seats are not that special and aircon inside is very cool! Outstanding food however, so worth a visit. Booking essential

9. Ristorante Cardini

Via Dei Mulini 8, 28838, Stresa Italy Italian, Mediterranean, European, Deli, Gastropub Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Table Service [email protected] +39 349 141 9052 http://www.ristorantecardini.it
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4 based on 251 reviews

Ristorante Cardini

The Restaurant "Cardini" is located in Someraro, on the hills of Stresa, and overlooks the Lake Maggiore with a charming view on the Borromeo Isles and the surrounding mountains. The restaurant has a large dining room with 70/80 seats and a terrace where

Reviewed By Readingboy1

we out a lot, but when on a short break we rarely go back to the same place twice.great first meal.great second meal.the pasta with pears, and the lamb were standout. I would have preferred the lamb a little bit pink. but hey - it was great.it is a long way out of town. it took us 40 mins to walk there (up a steep hill) - but i guess that is what taxi's are for.lovely view. would be worth going for the view.oh and by that way it is great value for money

8. Cardamomo Cucina Vegana

Via Roma 89, 28041, Arona Italy Italian, Mediterranean Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Reservations, Buffet, Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol [email protected] +39 0322 341010 http://www.cardamomovegan.it/
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4 based on 135 reviews

Cardamomo Cucina Vegana

Vegan restaurant. Organic dishes and homemade vegan pastry.

Reviewed By hwhite68

We found this wonderful restaurant when doing some research before travelling to Lake Maggiore as we are vegan (and I have a whole host of food intolerances) and so it can be next to impossible to eat out in Italy, for us! However there is vegan and then there is VEGAN, in other words the standard of food can be very variable and often quite poor when you opt to go plant-based (and we have encountered the full range on our travels!) so we weren't very sure what to expect. Many vegan restaurants give a bad name to this kind of eating, which is so frustrating when you enjoy creative and healthy cooking yourself...and it is often preferable, if hard work, to self-cater when travelling. We were so pleasantly surprised by the creative and diverse food on offer here (and not at all reliant on meat-sustitutes - we encountered tempeh and buy no soy and the rest was truely plant based) that we ended up going to this resturant three times in under a week, twice for dinner and once for buffet lunch. All three meals were varied and so enjoyable. On each occassion, they took careful note of my gluten free status (advised in advance) and carefully explained my options in excellent English. On the sunday, which is buffet night, they had kindly prepared a gluten free buffet in a seperate place to the rest of the food so there was no mistaking what I could eat...and there was plenty for me as most of the dishes were gluten free. Our final lunch, just before we set off to the airport, was a substantial and delicious way to end our trip before travelling back to England and the cheerful and relaxed vibe in this special venue helped to make our holiday into something truly memorable. Would love to see eateries like this spring up all around Europe as it would make our travels so much easier and more pleasant. By the way, the clientele was made up entirely of Italian "locals" (that we saw) and this restaurant was consistently popular, with diners seated inside and out in their little garden; usually a good sign that it is a true winner attracting repeat business and not a gimmicky tourist venue.

7. Osteria Ara 36

Via Ugo Ara, 28838, Stresa, Isola Pescatori Italy Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Highchairs Available, Full Bar, Free Wifi [email protected] +39 349 620 4471 http://osteria-ara-36.thefork.rest/
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4 based on 257 reviews

Osteria Ara 36

Osteria Ara is situated in the heart of the Isola Superiore dei Pescatori, in a historic building featuring frescoes from the early 900's. Our kitchen philosophy The prime ingredients are of Italian origin. They are all of high quality selected with much

Reviewed By JCA567

Wonderful evenings. Great music, great service and wonderful food. The owner is delightful and made good wine choices, wait staff professional and the chef creates amazing food. We went 3 time with the same perfect result. The turbot encased in flour and salt and baked is amazing.

6. Estremadura Cafe

Via Paolo Troubetzkoy 142 Lungolago Di Suna, 28922, Verbania Italy Italian, Bar, Mediterranean Brunch, Late Night, Drinks Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service [email protected] +39 0323 504282
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4 based on 321 reviews

Estremadura Cafe

Reviewed By FelixFeiMann

Great atmosphere, and a wonderful pina colada which comes in a pertty big glass for only 6.50 euros.

5. Trattoria Cannobio da Ale & Vale

Vicolo Giovanni Branca 1 Behind the City Council, 28822 Cannobio Italy Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +39 0323 197 6864 https://www.facebook.com/Trattoria-Cannobio-155349328471286/
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4 based on 166 reviews

Trattoria Cannobio da Ale & Vale

A few steps from the lake promenade (behind the City Council) you will find family-run business restaurant with a typical cuisine of our parts, seasonal, with simple, genuine, but very tasty dishes. The specialty of the restaurant is the lake fish and the

Reviewed By Philipp C

We can only recommend this place for an excellent dinner. The outside location is pretty small but exactly that adds a lot to the very personal touch and atmosphere. The chef is a really nice guy. Personal greetings and always asking if you are happy. And believe you are! The tortillini which are of handmade doughe from the mama is just perfect! Hi there, enjoy yourself, but make a reservation. As said it's an exclusive opportunity you can't afford to miss!

4. Ristorante Grotto Sant'Anna

Via Sant'Anna 30 Traffiume, 28822 Cannobio Italy Italian, Mediterranean Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +39 0323 70682 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ristorante-Grotto-Santanna/201122936601097
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4 based on 483 reviews

Typical restaurant with a cuisine revisited with the use of simple but high-quality products We always recommend booking The restaurant will be closed from november to march

Reviewed By MollyZero

I really loved this restaurant. Everything about it was a delight.Reserved table for dinner during and arrived during a spectacular thunder storm. Very warm welcome and shown to a table. The number of covers is not excessive for the space and the acoustics made for a gently hum rather than a din.The menu was varied, there were some small amuse-bouche.The food was great. But more than anything it was the combination of ambience, food, and quality of service throughout the meal that i appreciated. Some places lose interest after serving their main courses and either want to rush you off or forget about you. Here the service remained attentive but never intrusive. i felt that the staff engaged me as a person rather than just another tourist to feed.Portions are sensible sized so you can eat from across the menu without feeling either stupidly over stuffed or that you need a snack later.The wine list has something for all pockets.At the end of a very good meal the bill was not heart-stopping and less than some worse meals in more touristic places.There is a lovely riverside walk back to Cannobio so you can walk off your dinner if you want. After two weeks in Italy this was the best meal by a long margin.

3. Ristorante Amelie

Via Primo Maggio 17 Piazza G. Mazzini, 28831, Baveno Italy Italian, Mediterranean, European Lunch, Dinner, Drinks Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Reservations, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +39 339 875 2621 http://Www.ristoranteamelie.it
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4 based on 631 reviews

Ristorante Amelie

Dear Guests,the starting idea of this restaurant embodies one of the themes from the popular movie Amelie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) directed by Jean Pierre Jeunet in 2001, that is to keep a curious eye on the world and take pleasure in the sim

Reviewed By JOTISBO

This is a delightful, small (~8 tables) restaurant that is well off the beaten track, but well worth the trek. Glorious food, attentive, efficient, multi-lingual and friendly service. The chef takes pride in periodically coming front-of-house to greet the diners.If you are fastidious or constrained in what you eat then I suggest you check the menu before entering, as it is very limited. Happily, my wife and I are unpretentious and are adventurous when it comes to tasty, well prepared and presented food. We had no problems meeting our desires from the menu (including veal tartare, seafood ravioli, monkfish, tuna, cheesecake, panna-cotta).We were happy to pay ~170€; for a starter, a first course, two mains and two deserts, washed down with a bottle of reasonably priced champagne. There is a 5€ p.p. cover charge, but you do get a bread basket that is varied, ‘more-ish’ and abundant.If it is within your budget, DO NOT pass this charming restaurant by.

2. Tre Risotti

Via Roma 3, 21039, Valganna Italy Lombard, Northern-Italian, Italian, European Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Valet Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +39 0332 719720 http://www.trerisottialbergo.it
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4 based on 460 reviews

Tre Risotti

Reviewed By ovk2013

If you are travelling near Milan, you can easily find this restraunt. The choice of plates is not so big, but the speciality of this place is risotto. You can try tris of risotti, or choose only one. I have tried risotto with porcini mushrooms, it was good, but i did not like that they added the oil with taste of truffel. It gives to risotto a different taste. The rest of food is good, company style. The plates are enormous.

Lake Maggiore Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Lake Maggiore

1. Grotto Carza - Ristorante e Bar

Localita Monte Carza, 28826 Trarego Viggiona Italy Italian, Mediterranean, Northern-Italian Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Drinks Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Wine and Beer [email protected] +39 334 797 8094 http://www.grottocarza.it
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4 based on 51 reviews

Grotto Carza - Ristorante e Bar

Reviewed By Richard C

We climbed Monte Carza near Lago Maggiore in the morning up a pretty path and then went looking for lunch but expected that we would have to return down the mountain for food. We decided to drive gingerly along some more windy mountain road just in case we found a cafe. Instead we found an excellent family restaurant serving traditional Italian country food. It has only recently reopened after a fire which destroyed it. The local community arranged to rebuild it and now it has started operating as a full restaurant which is family friendly. Indeed they are building an adventure playground. They offer a fixed menu with an ante pasta of local ham and a choice of pasta (I had the homemade pesto sauce) and a choice of a salad or a tasty slow cooked venison dish. All excellent. And a truly delicious chocolate tart with lovely homemade pannetone with coffee. The staff were really friendly and explained in good English what all the dishes were and how they were finishing the restaurant. We will return. Thank you for this beautiful review! So happy you came by and looking forward to meeting you again anytime soon.

10 Things to Do in Lake Maggiore That You Shouldn't Miss

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