Yulia Saf 
The best restaurant in Lake Como is Kitchen, a Michelin-starred splurge inside the Sheraton. Crotto dei Platani in Brienno has the best lakeside views, couples love Ristorante Mistral in Bellagio, and Tira, Mola e Meseda serves the traditional Lombardy food locals love.
Buongiorno, traveler, today I’m taking you on a journey to the best restaurants in Lake Como!
Lake Como’s food scene is built around the lake itself, so the dishes to hunt down are missoltini (sun-dried, salted lake shad, grilled and served with polenta), risotto con pesce persico (creamy risotto with lake perch), and polenta uncia (polenta loaded with melted local cheese and butter). Save room for miascia, the local bread-and-fruit cake that started life as a clever way to use up stale bread. Below are the 21 best restaurants where you can try them, sorted by price and occasion.
I recently toured Lake Como on a family trip, and we really focused on dining; it was such an exciting foodie experience!
I can’t wait to tell you about all the amazing places I tried and some that I missed (but hopefully you won’t)! Basically, I researched all the restaurants in and around Lake Como, carefully selected the best ones, and sorted them nicely for you in this article. I chose them for food quality, lake or garden views, genuine recent reviews, price-to-value, and how well they suit different occasions.
We mostly visited mid-range to luxury restaurants on our trip (we experimented a lot with eating at luxury hotels, too), which is exactly the type of places you’ll find below.
One quick timing tip: the best spots book out in July and August, and a few (like Kitchen) close over winter and reopen around March, so reserve ahead and double-check seasonal hours before you go.
Andiamo!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
Here is a quick summary of the best restaurants in Como, divided by category:
- Kitchen (Como, $$$$) – most upscale, Michelin-starred
- Ristorante Mistral (Bellagio, $$$$) – best for special occasions
- Ristorante Crotto dei Platani (Brienno, $$$) – best restaurant with a view [map]
- Finestra sul Lago (Como, $$) – best pizza
- Tira, Mola e Meseda (Como, $$) – top traditional Lombardy food
- Crotto Valdurino (Como, $) – best family-friendly & budget pick
| Restaurant | Town / area | Vibe | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Como (inside the Sheraton) | Michelin-starred, garden setting | $$$$ | Fine-dining splurge |
| Ristorante Mistral | Bellagio (Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni) | Lakefront, luxury | $$$$ | Special occasions |
| Ristorante Crotto dei Platani | Brienno | Glass-walled, right on the water | $$$ | Best lake view |
| Finestra sul Lago | Como | Casual terrace | $$ | Pizza with a view |
| Tira, Mola e Meseda | Como (city center) | Rustic, traditional | $$ | Traditional Lombardy food |
i How to Avoid Tourist Traps at Lake Como
A few quick rules: skip any restaurant advertised on ferry-dock signs, be wary of places that don’t post prices outside, and look for the word “crotto” in the name, which signals a traditional local spot. Every restaurant on this list is vetted to dodge the tourist-trap problem, and a guided food tour is a foolproof way to taste the real thing.
Check out this map where you can see all the places that I’ve included in this post:
Best restaurants by town on Lake Como
Not sure which town to eat in? Como city has the most variety, from Michelin dining to traditional Lombardy spots. Bellagio is the most romantic for a special lakefront dinner, and Varenna is best for casual lakeside meals and breakfast with a view.
Como city: Kitchen, Ristorante Sottovoce, Feel Como, I Tigli, Tira Mola e Meseda, Finestra sul Lago, TYAMOO, Il Diavolo L’Acqua Santa, Figli Dei Fiori, Crotto Valdurino
Bellagio & Tremezzo: Ristorante Mistral, Ristorante La Punta, Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s La Terrazza
Varenna: Bar Il Molo, Hotel Villa Cipressi, Al Prato
Around the lake: Mandarin Oriental L’ARIA (Blevio), Ristorante Imperialino (Moltrasio), Crotto dei Platani (Brienno), La Cava Dei Sapori, Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele
Contents
- Quick Picks for Your Stay
- 1. Kitchen ($$$$) – Como’s best Michelin-starred restaurant
- 2. Ristorante Mistral ($$$$) – upscale dinner for special occasions
- 3. Ristorante Sottovoce ($$$$) – refined and authentic high-end cuisine
- 4. Feel Como ($$$$) – high-dining experience that celebrates nature
- 5. Mandarin Oriental’s L˜ARIA Restaurant – the most beautiful luxury setting
- 6. Ristorante Imperialino ($$$$) – elegant fine dining in Moltrasio
- 7. I Tigli ($$$) – a gastronomic pleasure for all senses
- 8. Hotel Villa Cipressi ($$$) – breakfast in botanical gardens
- 9. Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s La Terrazza ($$$) – luxurious breakfast with caviar and views
- 10. Ristorante Crotto Dei Platani ($$$) – high-end dining with magical lakeside panoramas
- 11. Figli Dei Fiori Restaurants ($$$) – great place for wine lovers
- 12. Tira, Mola e Meseda ($$) – the best Lombardian restaurant in Como
- 13. Finestra sul Lago ($$) – delicious pizza with a view
- 14. Bar Il Molo – a cute Instagrammable spot in Varenna
- 15. Ristorante La Punta ($$) – a restaurant at the tip of Bellagio
- 16. TYAMOO ($$) – a modern Italian restaurant
- 17. Il Diavolo L’Acqua Santa ($$) – a top restaurant for a romantic dinner
- 18. La Cava Dei Sapori ($$) – the best place for signature pizzas
- 19. Al Prato ($$) – top-rated lakeside restaurant in Varenna/pic
- 20. Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele ($$) – best polenta near Lake Como
- 21. Crotto Valdurino ($) – best family-friendly restaurant in Como
- FAQs about the best restaurants in Lake Como
- Final thoughts on the best restaurants in Lake Como
1. Kitchen ($$$$) – Como’s best Michelin-starred restaurant
Everything about this restaurant screams elegance. It’s set inside the Sheraton Lake Como hotel, in a private park, and has its own biodynamic garden where the chef picks the herbs and vegetables for the dishes. Choose from their Green or Experience tasting menus or pick your own dishes to try à la carte.
The staff is at the top of the game, they’re so knowledgeable about wines and dishes that you can ask them anything!
- Why visit: Michelin-star restaurant
- Must-try food: ravioli, almond dessert
- Location: Via Per Cernobbio, 41A
2. Ristorante Mistral ($$$$) – upscale dinner for special occasions
If you’re celebrating an anniversary or really any special occasion, there’s no better place to be than here! We visited on the last evening of the trip and absolutely loved the food, the service, and the vibe.
This restaurant is part of the 5-star Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, a very luxurious hotel in Bellagio, so there’s security at the entry where you’ll have to show them the reservation for the restaurant (of course, book your dinner here in advance). They also have a valet service because once you enter the territory of the hotel it’s pedestrian-only (unless you’re a hotel guest).
- Why visit: part of the most luxurious hotel in the area
- Must-try food: multi-course menus
- Location: Via Teresio Olivelli, 1
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3. Ristorante Sottovoce ($$$$) – refined and authentic high-end cuisine
Ristorante Sottovoce is one of the first rooftop restaurants in Como and a serious contender for a Michelin star. It’s set inside the 5-star Vista Lago di Como Hotel.
Sottovoce has an elegant, contemporary feel, à la carte and tasting menus of 3, 6, or 10 dishes paired with sensational wines, and the most beautiful views of Lake Como.
The restaurant’s executive chef is part of a community of prominent chefs who promote raw, local ingredients and prepare dishes mainly consisting of freshwater fish. You’re really in for a treat in this one!
- Why visit: amazing tasting menu, infinity bar
- Must-try food: risotto, fried fish, stuffed onions
- Location: Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 24
4. Feel Como ($$$$) – high-dining experience that celebrates nature
Feel Como is listed in the Michelin Guide as a recommended restaurant (it doesn’t hold a star), which means inspectors rate the kitchen highly. It serves high-end set menus in rustic yet modern décor. You can sample multiple dishes, pick three or more main ones for your multi-course experience, and pair them with select wine with the help of a professional sommelier.
The presentation of the food is fantastic, and all the dishes tell a visual story! The main chef sources his ingredients from the local woods, takes classic dishes, reimagines them, and has them served in a way you’ll never forget your time here!
- Why visit: beautiful servings, nature-inspired menus
- Must-try food: Forest tasting menu
- Location: Via Armando Diaz, 54
5. Mandarin Oriental’s L˜ARIA Restaurant – the most beautiful luxury setting
L’ARIA is the fine-dining restaurant at the 5-star Mandarin Oriental, and it’s listed in the Michelin Guide for its Asia-inspired Italian cooking. You can book a table here even if you’re not a guest of the hotel, and you’ll feel so welcome from the moment you arrive!
I recommend you try their breakfast or the multi-course tasting menu. Most people say the lobster rigatoni was the highlight, but wagyu beef and tiger prawns are also delicious!
- Why visit: fabulous setting in an 18th-century villa (Villa Roccabruna)
- Must-try food: lobster rigatoni
- Location: Via E. Caronti, 69
6. Ristorante Imperialino ($$$$) – elegant fine dining in Moltrasio
We planned to have dinner in this restaurant but couldn’t make it in the end (traveling with babies and friends can do that sometimes) but I’ve heard so much about the romantic atmosphere here!
Have their tasting menu that the sommelier will pair with the best wine and try to get a seat in the garden, they have a few tables just by the lake!
- Why visit: romantic lake views during sunset
- Must-try food: everything on the tasting menu
- Location: Via Regina, 26
7. I Tigli ($$$) – a gastronomic pleasure for all senses
Located inside the 5-star Padel Resort, I Tigli is a restaurant, bistro, and lounge bar that serves a fine dining experience rich in color, aromas, subtle details, and amazing texture. They have a unique food demonstration you’re unlikely to find elsewhere.
From delicious, fresh seafood to unique dessert combinations (think tomato ice cream), your tastebuds will be in awe during a trip to this restaurant!
- Why visit: top-class combination of food color, taste, and texture
- Must-try food: ravioli with roasted veal, pigeon
- Location: Via Pasquale Paoli, 55
8. Hotel Villa Cipressi ($$$) – breakfast in botanical gardens
We came to this place to eat but it was closed for a private event, likely a wedding. I still managed to snap some pictures to show you how beautiful it is! I definitely recommend contacting them in advance and booking your spot for their amazing buffet breakfast!
Just a note to book in their Restaurant Visteria or the Garden Bar which overlook the lake (Via 4 Novembre, 22), because they also have another restaurant in the center of Varenna!
- Why visit: posh terrace and gardens with amazing lake views
- Must-try food: buffet breakfast
- Location: Via 4 Novembre, 22
9. Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s La Terrazza ($$$) – luxurious breakfast with caviar and views
If you want an upscale place to have breakfast with views, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo restaurant is just what you need!
We got to enjoy unlimited food for €60 per person (rooms here start at around €950 a night, so the breakfast alone is a really good deal!). We tried chic omelets with caviar, crab, avocado, but also tons of fruits, chocolate fountains, and plenty of delicious drinks. Add in the charming views of the lake in the morning and you get a dream breakfast location!
NOTE: We booked a reservation here in advance but no one asked us for it when we arrived.
- Why visit: high-end breakfast experience
- Must-try food: crab and avocado omelet
- Location: Via Regina, 8
10. Ristorante Crotto Dei Platani ($$$) – high-end dining with magical lakeside panoramas
Crotto Dei Platani in Brienno is incredible in every way.. The open-air space just by the lake is so elegant and cozy, it almost feels like you’re in a movie. The food is first-class but the prices aren’t as high as in other fine dining restaurants by the lake.
I definitely recommend coming here for dinner during the sunset when the lights go on. But if you can’t do that, you can also come for lunch! It’s still amazingly beautiful!
FUN FACT: When a restaurant in Northern Italy has “crotto” in its name, it means it’s a traditional restaurant often located inside a repurposed cave.
- Why visit: beautiful setting, affordable but high-end
- Must-try food: truffle butter pasta, fried fish
- Location: Via Regina, 73
11. Figli Dei Fiori Restaurants ($$$) – great place for wine lovers
Figli Dei Fiori is a high-end Italian osteria with a bistro across the street. Depending on the time of your visit, if the main restaurant is busy, they can send you to the bistro. But don’t worry, they’re both excellent.
The portions here are huge, so you can order one main dish to share for 2! The menu is limited in options, but the food is spectacular. Plus, they have the largest selection of wine!
- Why visit: extensive wine selection, Italian high-end food
- Must-try food: ravioli, pasta with burrata,
- Location: Via Borgo Vico, 34
12. Tira, Mola e Meseda ($$) – the best Lombardian restaurant in Como
Tira, Mola e Meseda is one of the most highly rated and visited restaurants in Lake Como. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite after visiting Castello Baradello nearby.
The cozyness of this place with black brick walls and original floors gives off a rustic vibe that so perfectly matches its traditional Lombardy dishes. You must try their pizzoccheri, which is a short tagliatelle pasta dish with cheese, potato, and cabbage.
- Why visit: typical dishes from Lombardia, generous portions
- Must-try food: pizzoccheri, blueberry tagliolini
- Location: Via Gabriele Castellini, 17
13. Finestra sul Lago ($$) – delicious pizza with a view
Finestra su Lago was one of the nicest places we visited around Lake Como! The prices are in the mid-range category and we received excellent service.
It was really hot when we sat here since it was lunchtime in August, and we had to move inside (we were there with a baby), but the owner took really great care of us.
I loved their pizza and would definitely recommend it! The restaurant wasn’t busy when we visited, but you can book in advance just in case. Plus, you’ll have a valet service arranged for your car.
- Why visit: great location, delicious pizza, good wines
- Must-try food: pizza margarita
- Location: Via Santa Marta, 32b
14. Bar Il Molo – a cute Instagrammable spot in Varenna
Here’s another place we visited for breakfast. It was super nice and had the cutest views of Varenna (I dare say the best views of it!), but it was super busy. Luckily, we got our table really quickly. I now realize this is not always the case.
If you’re not rushing and are staying in Varenna, I recommend coming here for breakfast or visiting very early when the place opens up. From what I remember, you can’t book a table, so you may have to wait in line a bit if it’s all crowded. But for me, even the wait would be totally worth it.
- Why visit: most beautiful views of Varenna and the lake
- Must-try food: risotto
- Location: Riva Garibaldi, 14
15. Ristorante La Punta ($$) – a restaurant at the tip of Bellagio
Here’s a restaurant that may not be that impressive for the service and food, but it’s definitely the best stop in Bellagio to admire the views. It’s located at the very tip of the small Bellagio peninsula, offering views of surrounding villages from 3 sides of the lake.
I recommend stopping here for drinks or a quick bite because the highlight is definitely the location!
- Why visit: the best views from all sides
- Must-try food: grilled fish, affogato
- Location: Via Eugenio Vitali, 19
16. TYAMOO ($$) – a modern Italian restaurant
Just looking at the pictures of the food from this restaurant makes my mouth water – the pasta, lasagna, and desserts look absolutely stunning. And judging by the impressions of past visitors, they taste even better!
Everyone raves about the cocktails here (they can even make you great non-alcoholic ones), making this a great place to visit in the heat of the summer on Lake Como. Try their homemade limoncello to freshen up right away!
- Why visit: delicious Italian food and sublime cocktails
- Must-try food: lasagna, tiramisu
- Location: Via Pretorio, 7
17. Il Diavolo L’Acqua Santa ($$) – a top restaurant for a romantic dinner
I love rustic restaurants with old stone walls and wooden ceilings – suddenly, everything about them is so authentic and beautiful!
Pair the scenic décor, impressive attention to detail, and a tasting menu that perfectly matches the ambiance (called “7 deadly sins”!), and you get one of the best places to eat in Como!
- Why visit: fabulous setting, traditional Italian food
- Must-try food: risotto, tartare, 7 sins tasting menu
- Location: Via S. Giacomo, 36/A
18. La Cava Dei Sapori ($$) – the best place for signature pizzas
Pizza lovers, this one’s for you! La Cava Dei Sapori makes signature pizzas using local ingredients that’ll keep you wanting more! But leave room for their desserts since they’re excellent, too.
I highly recommend their margarita paired with some local wine.
FUN FACT: The chef of this restaurant was voted the best sommelier in Italy in 2010! They have over 400 wines in their cellar!
- Why visit: delicious signature pizzas, elegant ambiance
- Must-try food: any pizza, pasta carbonara
- Location: Via Guido da Como, 2
19. Al Prato ($$) – top-rated lakeside restaurant in Varenna/pic
A lot of lakeside restaurants in Como are tourist traps (Varenna is no exception), but this one is set one block away from them and offers great service.
They have a varied menu serving Italian food, octopus, lamb chops, and delicious desserts.
The food decoration is a bit tacky if you ask me, but the taste makes up for it!
NOTE: Definitely book a table in advance since the place can get very busy.
- Why visit: impeccable food
- Must-try food: lamb chops, octopus
- Location: Piazza del Prato, 6
20. Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele ($$) – best polenta near Lake Como
Polenta is one of the most popular Italian dishes (apart from pizza and pasta), and Chalet Gabriele serves the best one in Lake Como! Try polenta uncia or any other option; it usually comes as a side for the main meat dish and pairs really well with it.
Let me also mention the surreal views of the alpine peaks and the lake here!
- Why visit: amazing views, unique location
- Must-try food: polenta uncia
- Location: Località Prà Filippo, 60
21. Crotto Valdurino ($) – best family-friendly restaurant in Como
This family restaurant has been around for 140 years and has been run by 6 generations! Talk about tradition and quality!
Being here feels like visiting family (with relatives who really know how to cook!), plus you get to enjoy romantic views of Lake Como.
The only downside is that parking may be difficult to find. You can park downhill and climb the stairs up, it’ll be great for the appetite, too!
- Why visit: friendly atmosphere, home-cooked dinner, affordable
- Must-try food: homemade pasta, polenta
- Location: Via Antonio Besana, 37
| 🍽️ Dinner for 2 with wine: | €60 |
| 💱 Service fee: | Not required |
| 😋 Best Traditional food: | Tira, Mola e Meseda |
| ⭐ Fine dining restaurant: | Kitchen |
| 🏞️ Best view: | Ristorante Crotto dei Platani |
| 🥟 Must try food: | Polenta |
FAQs about the best restaurants in Lake Como
🍲 What traditional dishes should I try when eating in Lake Como?
Lake Como’s signature dishes are missoltini (sun-dried, salted lake shad, grilled and served with polenta), risotto con pesce persico (creamy risotto with lake perch), and pizzoccheri (short buckwheat tagliatelle with cheese, potato, and cabbage), best tried at Tira, Mola e Meseda. For the most scenic polenta uncia, head to Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele.
🌊 Which Lake Como restaurants are right on the water?
Ristorante Crotto dei Platani in Brienno (Via Regina, 73) sits in an elegant open-air space right on the lake and is gorgeous at sunset. Ristorante Mistral at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio and Ristorante Imperialino in Moltrasio also have tables just steps from the shore. Book ahead for all three in summer.
❤️ What is the best restaurant in Lake Como for a view?
Ristorante Crotto dei Platani in Brienno is the best for an overall lake view, with a glass-walled dining room right on the water. Polentoteca Chalet Gabriele adds surreal alpine-peak views, Bar Il Molo in Varenna has the prettiest village panorama at breakfast, and Hotel Villa Cipressi is the best garden-terrace option.
⭐ What is the best Michelin-starred restaurant at Lake Como?
Kitchen, inside the Sheraton Lake Como in Como, holds a Michelin star and is the lake’s most celebrated fine-dining spot, with a private park and a biodynamic kitchen garden. Feel Como and Ristorante Sottovoce are also listed in the Michelin Guide (without a star) and are worth booking for a special meal.
💶 How much does a meal cost at Lake Como restaurants?
As of 2026, a casual dinner at spots like Crotto Valdurino or Tira, Mola e Meseda runs roughly €20 to €40 per person. Mid-range places like Finestra sul Lago or Crotto dei Platani are about €40 to €70 with wine, while Michelin-level tasting menus at Kitchen start from €100 to €150.
📅 Do I need to book restaurants in Lake Como in advance?
Yes, especially in summer (June to August) — I’d book mid-range and fine-dining spots a few days ahead. Ristorante Mistral at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Kitchen, and Al Prato in Varenna fill up fast. Casual spots like Crotto Valdurino are relaxed, but Bar Il Molo doesn’t take reservations and can have a queue.
Final thoughts on the best restaurants in Lake Como
That’s it, these were all the restaurants I wanted to tell you about in Lake Como! I’ll always remember the scenic views, romantic dinners, and delicious food I had here.
I’m sure your experience dining in Como will be just as magical, there are so many great spots to enjoy yourself on this list!
Some of the most charming places we ate in Lake Como were actually part of luxury hotels. Remember that it’s totally okay to contact those posh hotels if you want to have breakfast or lunch at their place, even if you’re not a guest!
Tell me, which restaurant in Lake Como are you most excited to visit? Also, write a comment if you have any questions about your upcoming stay in Lake Como. I’ll be happy to help!
Buon appetito,
Yulia
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