Location: Varenna
Top Restaurants in Varenna
Top Things to do in Varenna
- 1. Ristorante Il Caminetto Cookery Lessons
- 2. Taxi Boat Varenna - Day Tours
- 3. Boats 2 Rent
- 4. Villa Monastero
- 5. Giardini Botanici - Hotel Villa Cipressi
- 6. Sentiero del Viandante
- 7. Chiesa di San Giorgio
- 8. Green Way dei Patriarchi
- 9. Paul DEMARIA - The Open Lake & Landscape Studio d’Arte
- 10. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista
Where to Eat in Varenna: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Varenna is a slow-paced destination—most visitors come here to relax by the lake. But even if "Working on my tan" is the #1 thing on your itinerary, take some time to explore the area. There’s the Castello di Vizio, a medieval fortress surrounded by an olive grove. And you’ll want to view the old, tiered gardens at the Villa Cipressi—they stretch all the way down to the water. Finally, visit the source of the Fiumelatte, a peculiar river—it’s only 250 m long and disappears from October to March.
Things to do in Varenna
1. Ristorante Vecchia Varenna
Overall Ratings
4 based on 493 reviews
Ristorante con terrazza immersa nelle acque del lago di Como, gode di una impagabile vista nel centro lago. In cucina utilizziamo prodotti freschi e lavoriamo in prima persona tutte le materie prime.
Reviewed By mnsp1964 - Houston, Texas
The food is just so so here. not many choices on the menu. Location is lovely. right over the water. I had lake fish which still has skin with scales on it. the parsley pasta was decent. did not eat here again after the one night
2. Ristorante La Vista
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By SBH62 - Mashpee, Massachusetts
Worst meal we have ever had during our three vacations to Italy or anywhere. Service was disgraceful. The food was awful- my husband ordered lamb which he received overcooked and swimming in an oily tasteless mess. I ordered steak which had the odor of spoiled meat. We brought this to the attention of another waitress - as our waitress was nowhere to be found after placing our order- who told us she would let the chef know. She never returned. We then flagged her down again and requested to speak to the manager. She informed us he was too busy in the kitchen to speak with us. They did not bring our cocktails and we had to ask for them again after 20 minutes. The food was poor and the service greatly disappoints- especially as they did not acknowledge our dissatisfaction with the meal. Additionally, there were many mosquitoes inside the restaurant (worse outside). By the way- it was not busy- maybe 7-10 tables tops. Will never return.
3. Hosteria del Platano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 185 reviews
Reviewed By Mulloes
The food here is good if you're famished, all it does is fills a hole. The French onion soup is nothing like what I've experienced before. A thick mass of mess. The rest of our food was just acceptable.
On the second visit we arrived unannounced and a disaster. Drinks were taken 40mins after arrival. No apologies. Food was again average and beer just cold enough, but for a very hot summer on Lake Como, sub frozen would have suited.
I usually don't give a review if the eatery is not up to scratch, but if you like overpriced, underwhelming food, then this is the place for you. By the way it was €45 per head with alcohol.
4. Il Caminetto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 303 reviews
Reviewed By QuebecBound - New York City, New York
This was one of the most special moments of a summer-long trip across Europe. The chef's wife picked us up and drove us up the dizzying mountain road. Incredible views! Upon arrival, the chef came out and welcomed us. He was well-aware of my gluten intolerance as he had answered the phone when I called to make our reservation. We had the tasting menu and it was divine. The risotto was the best we've ever had, regardless of restaurant price. The chef even gave out his recipe--not that one could ever replicate it. We had more food than we could manage, wine with dinner, and my husband had what seemed to be endless glasses of limoncello--all for 60 euro. When we were ready to go, the chef drove us back to Varenna. Fantastic experience! We cannot wait to return.
5. Aperitivo Et Al
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 698 reviews
Wine Bar with local food
Reviewed By 673K1235 - Uk
Having visited several times before I was sorely disappointed with the current state of aperitivo et al during my last visit.
The bar/restaurant I knew and loved from three years ago has been replaced with a continuous advertisement for shipping of wine.
The focus of the bar has always been wine however the malt whisky selection was previously second to none in the local area and cocktails a aplenty.
Upon arriving at the bar this time around we were told there was a ten minute wait. No problem. However they are using up one table for a giant advert for their wine export service. Okay. Upon enquiring for a cocktail list we were informed by a surly server that this is a wine bar. Assuming that we had just had a bad experience we returned the following day. Again the service was unfriendly, we had a menu placed down with the wine by the glass range on show and encouraged to order from this. We had a quick drink and left. Three years ago we would happily spend the whole night there.
The charm and quaintness this place had appears to have sadly disappeared.
6. Ristorante Terrazza Barchetta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 667 reviews
Seasonal opening from April till the end of October. Local and Mediterranean Kitchen; Lake and Sea Fish Specials. Please note: Terrazza Barchetta Restaurant is located on the upper floor of the building, not to be confused with Ristoro Forma e Gusto - Pizza & Restaurant at the ground floor: same property but different Kitchen, Menu, Staff and more informal, suitable for Children.
Reviewed By ABTOP - Atlanta
We had dinner on the second floor of this nicely appointed restaurant. This restaurant's signature fish from the lake was a big disappointment - no taste of fish, just the taste of fried egg. Pasta was OK, but I certainly can't recommend this restaurant.Thank you for you comment expressing your "personal" opinion. Local people say that our "Risotto with Perch" is one of the best in Bellagio. Kind regards
7. Osteria Quatro Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 686 reviews
Reviewed By Chris77006 - Houston, Texas
We had a delicious meal at Quatro Pass! The only disappointment was the fact that the special pasta of the day didn't taste homemade (though a friend's pasta dish was definitely homemade). The sauce, nonetheless, was divine! We also enjoyed the wine list, taking with us a reasonably priced bottle of Amarone.
8. Il Cavatappi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 635 reviews
Reviewed By Singingbaker - Kansas City, Missouri
Can't complement this place enough. All the courses I had were excellent. It's small so Reservations are recommended but worth any trouble eating here. I can see why they get such good ratings on Tripadvisor. Great music in the background for what amounts to a trully memorable dining experience. One of the best I have had. Six stars.
9. Cavallino Ristorante Trattoria dei Pescatori
Overall Ratings
4 based on 330 reviews
For Lunch And Dinner With The Wide Range Of Fresh Lake Fishkichten Open From Noon Till Late Evening
Reviewed By Misskia10 - Down
Stopped here with friends for my birthday lunch on the way to Bellagio - and it was every bit as great an experience as expected - the staff and service was superb, the food was delicious, and the wine (with restaurant name on the label) was very 'moreish'....can specifically recommend the large skewer of beef, gypsy style.....delicious, and with rosemary potatoes - and the ice-cream dessert with morello cherries - heavenly.....highly recommend a visit here
10. Bar Il Molo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Dan W - Nanaimo, Canada
We stopped in for dinner on a cool October evening, as the restaurant sits right on the edge of Lake Como, providing a stunning view. All tables are outside so you need to dress warmly in fall. The menu had several pages of pizzas so we had pasta and margharita pizza.
While the pasta was great, the pizza was fantastic. Thin crust with some carbonization on the bottom, it was crisp and delicious. The tomato sauce was rich but not too thick and with the cheese ijust slightly charred in a few spots, it made for a wonderful meal.
Service was good, English was spoken sufficiently for us to converse.
We would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for great pizza and pasta with a view.
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