Hello! We are going to be in Varenna (thanks Rick Steves!!) 6/30-7/5. Do we need reservations at the area restaurants? No one has an on-line reservation system and they don’t accept emails! Also, does anyone have a favorite that they have been to? Thank you! Caio!
Posted by
1619 posts
Il Cavatappi. It’s tiny and they accept reservations for dinner, but not for lunch. http://m.cavatappivarenna.it/1/home_1160695.html. Their email is at the bottom of the page.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thank you!!!!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17572 posts
We have stayed at Albergo Milano several times and always enjoy dinner on the terrace of their restaurant La Vista. Sitting inside on a rainy night, however, was not as nice, as the adjacent large table was VERY noisy..
You can make reservations here:
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2311 posts
We ate at Ristorante il Caminetto in Varenna. I used WhatsApp to contact them for a reservation and they got back to me quickly. I’m guessing you have the RS guidebook with the information on Varenna. The guidebook recommends the 3-course meal, but you can order off their menu. However, the 3-course menu was much more than just 3 courses! They texted me on WhatsApp as to the pick-up point and then they kindly dropped us back at our hotel. We did have to wait until they dropped off another couple first and then came back to get us and take us to our hotel. They only do 22 dinners/diners a night and the food was fabulous.
On another night, we sat on the terrace of Hotel Royal Victoria and made dinner out of our aperitivo. I think the drinks were 10-12e, but the “snacks” that came with the drink were more substance than the usual chips and nuts.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Never thought of using WhatsApp! Great tip! Thank you!
Posted by
Niagara, Ontario
1688 posts
We had two long lunches at Il Cavatappi, it's the tops. The second time we stayed behind to share a drink with the owner/chef and the waiter, both charming. The chef was keen on working in New York at the time.
If you make it to Bellagio, the food at San Giacomo's was very good.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thank you Patty! Where did you find the email for Il Caminetto? The one on the web site isn’t working !
Thanks!
Posted by
Southwest Florida
905 posts
For a great view - La Vista. Reserve the patio.
Others I would recommend in Varenna that have not been mentioned:
Osteria Quatro Pass
Al Prato
For dinner during season, I strongly recommend reservations. And place them a day or so in advance.
For a great, quick sandwich at lunch, I highly recommend Al Barilott. Inexpensive and friendly.
Consider hiring a cab and head up to Crott del Meo for lunch or dinner. Great spot in the summer. Email ahead for reservations and to see if they will be open. I know they struggled during Covid shut down.
Finally, a cab ride to Il Caminetto.
Posted by
OP
16 posts
Thank you to all of you!!! The members of this forum are always so helpful! We ended up with reservations for the cooking class at Il Caminetto and dinner at La Veranda deli Pescatori and we will also go to Quattro! Next to find a tailor to let my pants out when we return!! Thanks again! Caio!
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2311 posts
I’m glad you found the contact info for It Caminetto. I am more comfortable using email, but I used their phone number with WhatsApp to contact them. I’m not sure what pick-up information they have given you, but we got picked up at the ferry dock and they were driving a white van.