Lake Como isn’t all luxury villas and boat trips, it’s also home to some incredible foodie spots. From Michelin starred eateries to farm-to-table taverns, here are the very best Lake Como restaurants you simply must visit.
1. Dispensa 63 – Best Farm-to-Table Lake Como Restaurant
Dispensa 63 is by far the best restaurant in Lake Como’s most popular town, Bellagio.
The family-owned spot presents regional dishes with a contemporary flair, utilising seasonal local ingredients.
Unlike many Bellagio eateries that cater to tourists with standard options like carbonara and margherita pizza, Dispensa 63 celebrates the seasonal bounty of the Lombardy region.
In summer, their menu features delights such as beef fillet with roasted zucchini and homemade tomato gazpacho, while autumn brings dishes like truffle risotto and sweet chestnut tart for dessert.
Their signature dish, available year-round, is cacio e pepe tagliatelle with red prawns.
Nestled in one of Bellagio’s charming alleys, Dispensa 63 offers an intimate dining experience with just 24 seats and an open kitchen, allowing guests to watch the chef at work.
Each dish can be paired with a recommended wine, and the restaurant promises a warm, welcoming Italian hospitality.
When visiting Bellagio, skip the touristy spots with lake views and opt for Dispensa 63 for a genuine taste of local cuisine.
2. Casa Perrotta
Featured in the Michelin Guide 2024, Casa Perrotta only creates dishes using the best ingredients Italy has to offer.
The restaurant offers multi-course degustation menus including ‘From the Sea’ and ‘From North to South’ – both offering an exploration of Italy’s rich culinary history with a modern twist.
Paired with beautiful Italian wines, the reviews of the tasting menus are fantastic and the elegant yet low-key space is a delight to dine in.
You can book a table here.
3. Trattoria del Porto – Best Lake Como Restaurant for Fresh Fish
This hidden-gem fish restaurant is tucked away from the tourist crowds in the small hamlet of Careno, but it really needs to feature on your Lake Como itinerary.
If you’re looking for an authentic family run restaurant in Lake Como, where the food speaks for itself, you’ve found the right place.
Walk down 300 steps to find a rustic restaurant with a big terrace overlooking the lake (when you call to book, be sure to ask for a terrace table!).
The restaurant recommends the fixed menu with three fish dishes, dessert and wine which costs around €50 per person and has incredible reviews.
Don’t expect pasta and pizza here, you’ll be served tasty regional fish dishes made with love and care. It’s a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else on the lake.
This place doesn’t have a website, but the reviews are so good it doesn’t need one.
4. Osteria Il Governo 1801
Osteria Il Governo 1801 in Lezzeno is a jaw-dropping restaurant that’s been run by the same family for 7 generations!
If you want to experience authentic Northern Italian cooking, then this is where you need to go.
Their most famous dish is the pistachio pesto pasta, along with the duck breast and the risotto.
Whilst open most evenings, the restaurant is only open at lunchtime on Saturdays and Sundays – be sure to book a table so you don’t miss out on this incredible culinary experience.
5. The Fassushi Como – Most Unique Lake Como Restaurant
So this restaurant is ranked the #1 restaurant in Lake Como in Tripadvisor.
The Fassushi Como offers a unique take on sushi using local tender meats instead of fish.
Whilst this may sound a little out of the ordinary, the reviews speak for themselves.
6. Al Prato Restaurant – Most Romantic Lake Como Restaurant
Al Prato Restaurant is the best restaurant in Varenna, offering fish, meat and pasta dishes made to a really high standard.
Guests love the beef tartare, the squid ink pasta and the octopus dishes.
Enjoy your meal on the gorgeous cobbled terrace located in the most romantic town on the lake.
7. La Baia di Moltrasio (The Moltrasio Bay)
La Baia di Moltrasio is a gorgeous lakeside restaurant not too far from Como town. Start with the renowned carpaccio with rocket, parmesan and lemon dressing before sampling the locally caught perch or the clam spaghetti.
You can make reservations by phone – be sure to ask for a table on the terrace (this is especially stunning at sunset).
8. Ristorante Materia – Best Lake Como Restaurant with a Michelin Star
Dining at a Michelin starred restaurant in Lake Como seems like a bucket list experience right?
Look no further than Ristorante Materia, an innovative restaurant offering a fusion of Italian and Asian flavours.
Diners can choose to eat from the a la carte menu, but I would recommend choosing one of the Chef’s tasting menus to experience the true experimental style of the establishment.
Vegetarian? No problem! The ‘Green Power’ tasting menu offers 5 innovative veggie dishes that won’t leave you hungry.
9. Locanda La Tirlindana – Best Lake Como Restaurant with a View
Locanda La Tirlindana is a delicious yet simple restaurant offering pasta, seafood and meats.
Located not far from the famous Villa del Balbianello, it’s the perfect lunch spot after you’ve explored the most famous villa on the lake.
Visitors to this Lake Como restaurant love the lemon and mascarpone ravioli and the pesto spaghetti with prawns.
This spot also affords the luxury of a beautiful lakeside terrace to dine on, so again be sure to ask for a lake view outdoor table when making a reservation.
10. Feel
For an unforgettable culinary experience in Lake Como, you need to check out Feel.
The small selection of rotating dishes represent renowned chef Federico Beretta’s culinary journey in his native Italy, from mountains to forests to the shores of Lake Como.
The in-house sommelier perfectly matches your food choices with both Italian and international wines, creating the perfect experience in historic Como town.
11. IL Pacchero 2.0
Often, when in Italy, you just want to eat pasta.
And that’s where a trip to IL Pacchero 2.0 is necessary.
This brilliant pasta restaurant in Como cooks fresh pasta dishes to order, including all the classics like cacio e pepe and carbonara.
You won’t find claggy pasta here, the homemade spaghetti is cooked to perfection and paired with tasty rich sauces.
12. Cantina Follie – Best Lake Como Wine Bar
Love wine and cheese? Then you need to check out this epic wine bar in Tremezzo.
Order a bottle of Italian wine (or a wine tasting paddle) and one of the most amazing cheese and charcuterie boards to accompany it for the perfect afternoon in Lake Como.
The reviews are great and it’s a brilliant food option if you’re visiting Lake Como on a budget.
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the best Lake Como restaurants. Follow me on Instagram for more travel tips!