Lake Como -Mennagio, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia, + veggie/dessert recommendations

We've stayed in Varenna and in Como. We were in Mennagio only briefly, but I would happily stay there, and I believe the same would apply to Tremezzo and Cadenabbia. There are benefits to staying in less-visited villages, as you implied about your trip to the Cinque Terre. Most people don't recommend staying in Como, but we really enjoyed it.

Hi Janet, thank you so much for your insight! Do you think there is an active nightlight in the towns of Tremezzo, Mennagio, and Cadenabbia? I don't mean clubs or dancing, I think I am worried about taking the ferry back at night, so I want to make sure there are activities/restaurants/shops/cafes. We will have a car too, so we could drive to other villages if needed!

Menaggio is the bomb. Just as vibrant as Bellagio or Varenna. They have classical concert in Piazza Garibaldi, the main piazza on the lake shore every night in summer. Lots of restaurants and bars in the piazza and nearby streets. Also very close to Lugano (Switzerland) if you want a day trip. I drive, so Lugano is only 40 min away, and could even go just for dinner. There is also a bus from Menaggio, but probably not operating late at night, so use your car. You will like Lugano (although probably not the outrageous Swiss prices).
Bellagio and Varenna, both across the lake, are only 10 min by boat, and there are boats every half hour.

There isn’t much going on in Cadenabbia, it’s much smaller. Tremezzo is not much bigger, but not too many tourists, so also not as vibrant at night. I just went there to see where Mussolini was detained and killed (the partisans captured him between Menaggio and Dongo) before his corpse was taken to hang upside down on Piazzale Loreto in Milan. Villa Carlotta is also in Tremezzo if you want to visit.

If you can find accommodations in Menaggio, you will like it the best and you won’t need the car much except for visiting Lugano and maybe to drive to Mussolini’s execution spot and Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. Otherwise the boats will be best. George Clooney’s Villa is in Laglio, a bit south of Tremezzo, if you like to be a paparazzo.

Roberto knows! By the way, I have no idea whether there are local specialty desserts in Lake Como, but I never pass up panna cotta when in Italy!

Of course, gelato everywhere....
We ate at a fabulous cafe w seating rt on the water. It also was a small bakery, w short bread cookies shaped like the lake. In terms of vegetarian (not vegan) I got a big bowl of yogurt w fruit and granola there, I'm not Italian enough to consider a plain crossaint and black coffee to be breakfast

Albergo Milano in Varenna has a very romantic restaurant on a terrace overlooking the lake. Just recently ate there, and it was very good.

We just returned from Varenna, and I want to go back already. Stayed at the Albergo Milano, the terrace restaurant overlooking the lake was amazing, for breakfast and dinner. Rick is spot on about Varenna, relaxing, quiet , and the perfect place to recover from jet lag.