Before we get started on the list of the best restaurants in Lake Maggiore, first let’s learn a few things about this place you may consider visiting, if you’re not here already.
Lake Maggiore (Italian: Lago Maggiore) is one of the best lakes to visit in Italy. It isn’t just composed of picturesque views; it also has a bit of history behind it.
If there is one great thing that may have come out of a natural phenomenon, Lake Maggiore must be it. The lake is a result of glacial erosion, which makes perfect sense as it sits on the south side of the Alps and settles on a tectonic furrow.
Lake Maggiore stretches between the northern parts of Italy and the southern side of Switzerland. With a surface area of 213 km², it is the second largest lake in the northern part of Italy, trailing behind Lake Garda (370 km²) and larger than Lake Como by 67 km².
Lake Maggiore is a great place if you’re looking to spend solemn quality time by yourself or with your loved ones. Food is not going to be a problem as there are numerous restaurants to choose from around the stunning lake.
Keep scrolling for the list of the best restaurants in Lake Maggiore.
10 Best Restaurants in Lake Maggiore, Italy
When around the fantastic Lago Maggiore, going to a place or two included in this list will be a nice change of pace before we get back to our mundane lives. Now here are the 10 of the best Lake Maggiore restaurants.
1. Ristorante-Pizzeria Lago
Via Nazionale 86, 28824 Oggebbio VB, Italy
In terms of Italian cuisine, we can never exclude pizza! When in Italy, we do know it just wouldn’t be right not to have even a slice. That is, if you can actually stop with merely a slice and not gobble up the whole pie! Hence, Ristorante-Pizzeria Lago makes it to the list of the best restaurants in Lake Maggiore.
This pizzeria gives you the luxury of binge-eating gourmet pizzas right by the lakeshore. Ristorante-Pizzeria Lago is the best pizza place in Lake Maggiore. Their pretty extensive menu also allows you to sample seafood dishes, as well as Mediterranean and Lombard offerings.
Ristorante-Pizzeria Lago also offers vegan and gluten-free options.
2. Il Vicoletto
Vicolo del Pocivo 3, 28838, Stresa VB, Italy
Just barely over a decade old, Il Vicoletto has no doubt already become one of the most popular restaurants in Lake Maggiore with a view of the lake.
The restaurant is located in Stresa, the small Italian town that is famous for being a good tourist spot to take in as much as you can of the picturesque Lake Maggiore. Il Vicoletto serves dishes focusing on seafood but you can also get plated meats.
Their food varies from Italian and Mediterranean, and they also support special diets for vegetarians and vegan, as well as those who have gluten allergies.
3. Osteria Melograno
Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour 13, 21021 Angera VA, Italy
Osteria Melograno is adorned in modern vibe and sophistication following local traditions which are not limited to their furnishings but also evident in their seasonal menu. Their chef prides themself on using only fresh and quality ingredients. Meals are freshly prepared upon order.
You may have starters like brandacujùn (Ligurian creamed cod), Pantelleria capers, and Piedmontese Fassona fillet. They also offer black Angus ragout, foie gras with Castelmagno, and the mouth watering grass-fed Rack of Lamb roasted with artichokes and potatoes.
For the final touch, try their passito (sweet Italian dessert wine) along with the pomegranate tiramisu. You could probably guess they would exert extra effort to give the pomegranate tiramisu justice if you knew that the name of the place itself translates to “Pomegranate Tavern.”
4. Hostaria del Golfo
Piazza Marchetti 2, 21014, Laveno-Mombello VA, Italy
If there’s ever any food you can taste and be able to tell where it came from, this must be it. Hostaria del Golfo offers lake fish straight from the Lake Maggiore. While the lake fish will excite you for its uniqueness, Hostaria del Golfo also offers conventional seafood appetizers.
The owner and chef is very passionate about creating new food and personally loves to explore different places to give nothing less from the best experience for their guests. The staff wouldn’t forget about nurturing you with their selection of good wine, which is a great plus because a good meal isn’t complete without a good drink.
This place offers not only their fabulous specialties but the comfort of their rooms to accommodate you. There’s even a balcony overlooking the enchanting lake where you can enjoy your meal. Just imagine how magnifico the sunset view would be from up there!
This might not be as renowned as the others on the list but a hidden gem is still a gem after all. In conclusion, Hostaria del Golfo is definitely one of the best restaurants in Lake Maggiore that you can find.
5. Ristorante Tiffany Villa Porta
Via Angelo Palazzi 1, 21016 Luino VA, Italy
Another of the best hotels and restaurants in Lake Maggiore is Tiffany Villa Porta.
Here you can enjoy ambiance that’s composed of everything classic – from the old park to the villa itself that simply spells vintage, and the romantic touch that the lake view adds when you take a sip of their carefully selected wine. It doesn’t end there as they even offer tailor-made meals that you may enjoy while you take in the beauty of the gardens.
Tiffany Villa Porta’s menu is perfect for everyone – from those who love cuisines like Italian, seafood, Mediterranean, European, Lombard, and Northern Italian. The villa also accommodates vegetarian, vegan, and gluten- free options.
6. Ristorante Cardini
Via Dei Mulini 8, 28838, Stresa VB, Italy
There’s a scenic walk going up to Ristorante Cardini which sits in the small yet great town of Stresa where you get the most mesmerizing view of Lake Maggiore.
The restaurant has been carrying tradition since its establishment in the late 1920s.
Adding to the great traditional local food they serve is the welcoming atmosphere the owner and the rest of the staff provide. As a bonus, their menu is even moderately priced so you may not call it fine dining, but the food they serve and the people who serve them definitely make the whole experience warm and cozy.
7. Trattoria della Stella Verbania
Via Maurizio Muller 15, 28921, Verbania VB, Italy
If you want to take a break from the usual elaborate routine or you just don’t have enough patience to go through them, Trattoria della Stella could be the place for you.
The restaurant owner seems to like a personalized, friendlier, and more casual approach. For that matter they don’t use menus; rather, the owner will tell you what they have for the day – and what they seem to be best at is the dinner they serve.
They have Italian, Mediterranean, Lombard, and Northern Italian cuisines as well as vegetarian-friendly lunch and dinner menus.
8. Battipalo
Via Vittorio Veneto 2, 28040, Lesa NO, Italy
Battipalo is a restaurant with a romantic setting by the ferry docks. They’ve got you covered on days you want to dine inside as they have cozy large windows that have a panoramic view of the lake.
The owners are partners in life and in business. The wife takes charge of the food while the husband takes excellent care of the winery. They serve modern meat and fish dishes.
The evening view of the lake is going to be a nice experience to have at dinner time while seated outdoors to get a closer view of the lake.
The place is open for dinner from Wednesday through Sunday. They are also open for lunch on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
They’ve got cuisines ranging from Italian, seafood, Mediterranean, and European. The restaurant is also vegetarian-friendly, has vegan, and gluten-free options for their lunch, dinner, and through their late-night menus.
9. La Tavola
Via Fortino 40, 21014, Laveno-Mombello VC, Italy
Now the list will not be complete if we don’t include at least one Michelin-acknowledged restaurant. La Tavola has one Michelin star so you can bet the chef takes extra-care in everything they create before they are served.
The restaurant is inspired by the surrounding scenic mountain view and the majestic Lake Maggiore. Here the chef offers dishes created from a diversity of modern and traditional cuisines. From how the food tastes down to its texture, you are assured of excellent dining experience at La Tavola.
Vegetarians and vegans as well as those with gluten allergy are also very much welcome at La Tavola, one of the best restaurants in Lake Maggiore.
10. Ristorante Le Volte
Via San Vittore 149, 28921, Verbania VB, Italy
Let’s say you want to take a break from all the lake views you’ve had , Le Volte can be your next stop. In exchange for a lakefront view you get a nice vine-shed terrace.
Le Volte serves tartare and carpaccio for appetizers while they also have special offerings like la paella alla Valenciana. Their menu includes Italian, seafood, Mediterranean, and European. They also have special diets for vegans and vegetarians, as well as gluten-free dishes.
Le Volte is truly one of the best Lake Maggiore restaurants you should check when around the great Italian lake.