Restaurants in Varenna (Lake Como)

shelley,

I've always found the quality of the food at Albergo Olivedo to be good. It's located right at the Ferry dock, so there's always lots of activity in that area, with cars and passengers coming and going. As I recall, they don't open for dinner until 19:00. In good weather, it's nice to sit outside on the patio in front of the hotel but they have an elegant dining room inside as well.

For a quick sandwich and a nice glass of wine for lunch, I always like to stop at Al Barilott, which is right in the main piazza across from the Church. The owners are really nice people so I tend to have long lunches there while I chat with them (which often leads to more than one glass of Vino).

In that same area, you could also try the restaurant at the Royal Hotel Victoria. It's just around the corner from Al Barilott.

One of the most popular restaurants (and a bit more upscale) is Albergo Milano. You can check out their menus and other details on the website.

There are lots of smaller restaurants and gelato shops downhill from the main piazza, on the way to the promenade that winds it's way along the lake to the ferry docks and Albergo Olivedo. You shouldn't have any trouble getting a fine hot meal in Varenna!!!

Buon Appetito!

Shelley,

I was there this past september. Ken mentioned Al Barilott, and I stopped there on his recomendation that he gave me on this board. It's right on the square, and we went as we arrived in town shortly before lunchtime. We had some vino, meats, cheeses and a small sandwhich. We had a welcome to italy salute with 3 local old italian men sitting inside. They were teaching us to sing a song too.

We stayed at the Albergo Bernini and we did eat at their Ristorante la Vista one night. The food and view were amazing from the balcony. It was one of my top 5 meals from our trip. At the time we had Wild Deer Carpaccio, Garganelli pasta with Rabbit Ragu, Lamb Skank with potatoes au gratin, cheese and pear bread.

We didn't eat dinner there but we stopped at Osteria Quatro Pass. We made friends with a local who was around our age and worked there. We had some more wine, a nice cheese plate and dessert.

Late night we had Gelato on the harborfront at Gelateria Riva. Being my first gelato of the trip, I went back the 2nd night for more.

In Bellagio we stopped for Wine Tasting and meats Enoteca Cava Turacciolo from Rick's guidebook. His description in the book is right on the money. One of my favorite wine bars I've been too.

We had dinner in Varenna our 2nd night at Il Cavatappi. It was late and not many places were open. We looked at menu's and picked this place to try the Risotto. We liked that it wasn't on the harbor but on a small quiet lane in town.

I can only say that in 2009, Osteria Quatro Pass was so good, we went there two nights in a row.

As stated above, Lavista at the Albergo Milano is excellent. Another small cafe along the prominade is Varenna Caffe. We loved it for sitting outside people watching while having lunch or an Aperol Spritz.