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Incredible Restaurants to Eat at in Italy
Italy’s culinary universe goes far beyond pizzas and pasta. From the top of the boots in Milan to the tips of toes in Sicily, there’s a wide array of cuisinieres and regional specialities to explore. Here are the 20 restaurants that we think offer the very best taste.
1. Club del Doge Restaurant (Venice)
TripAdvisor’s latest list of the best places to eat in Venice features a restaurant located inside the Gritti Palace Hotel. Located along the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, Club del Doge offers diners views of the city’s famous waterways. With dishes like pasta with squid ink, grilled lamb chops, and pan roasted salmon, Club del Doge serves up some of the finest Italian food in town.
Condé Nast Traveler recently named Club del Doge among the world’s 10 most spectacular waterfront dining experiences. A review published on the magazine’s site stated that while the menu changes seasonally, the restaurant always offers a selection of seafood and meat dishes served alongside local wines. Diners are encouraged to book ahead because reservations are highly sought after.
2. Combal.Zero (Rivoli)
TripAdvisor ranked Combal.Zero (Rivolo) No. 65 among the world’s best restaurants in 2018. Chef Davide Scabin creates modern Italian cuisine with traditional techniques and ingredients. He uses unconventional ingredients such as squid bolognese, smoked beef tongue, and barbecue sweetbreads to elevate the classic cuisine.
3. Da Vittorio (Brusaporto)
Facebook.com/DaVittorioRistorante
Da Vittorio restaurant, based out of the Da Vittorio Resort in Brusaporto, Italy, has earned three Micheline stars for its cuisine. The restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine with Mediterranean influences.
Some of the ingredients you’ll see on the menu include beef from Piedmont and lamb from Langhe, while some of the seafood options are octopus, sea bass, mussels, clams, and langoustine from Mazara del Vallone. For dessert, diners can enjoy tiramisu and chocolate mousse.
The first thing I want to do is thank everyone who helped me make it to the Top 10. I know there were many people who worked hard to help me reach my goal. This video is dedicated to those who believed in me, supported me, and pushed me to succeed. Thank you!
4. Dal Pescatore (Runate)
The award-winning restaurant, Dal Pescatoro, is located inside the Hotel Porta Fira near the Duomo di Milano. This restaurant serves traditional dishes inspired by the flavors of the Veneto region, such as Tortelli with Pumpkin and Eel. Chef Luciano Runate uses his passion for food to bring together the best ingredients, combining tradition with innovation. He creates delicious dishes based on the tastes of the Venetian people, with ingredients sourced locally whenever possible.
5. Enoteca Pinchiorri (Florence)
Chef Annie Féolde earned her third Michelin star in Florence, making her the first female chef in Italy to achieve such distinction. She opened Enoteca Pinchiiorri in 2017, where she serves up modern Italian cuisine served alongside some of the best wines in Tuscany.
Féolde’s menu changes daily based on what’s in season, and she often incorporates local ingredients into dishes like a risotto of fregole, pumpkin flowers, saffeon and prawns. There are also seasonal specials like a rack of lamb crusted with dried fruits. And if you want to try something off the menu, there are always plenty of options. For example, the restaurant offers a tasting menu every night of the week, and guests are encouraged to sample everything from appetizers to desserts.
6. Il Desco (Verona)
Chef Mario Batali named Il Desco one of the best restaurants in Italy. Located in Verona, it serves delicious food made with local products. Its menu includes classic Italian dishes like ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, and pasta with pecorino cheese and duck ragù. And there are some specialties you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s what Batali had to say about Il Desco: “I love how they use fresh produce and make amazing dishes.”
7. Il Palagio (Florence)
Located in Florence’s Four Seasons hotel, Il palagio is the picture perfect example of Italian hospitality. Tucked away inside the city’s most luxurious hotel, chef Vito Mollica offers up a five-course meal for just under $100 per person. A true taste of Italy, each course is paired perfectly with wine selected by the sommelier.
The restaurant itself is set within one of the grandiose suites of the hotel, complete with sweeping views of the Arno River. And while you might think that such luxury would come at a price, Il Palagio doesn’t disappoint. Each dish is beautifully presented, and the quality of ingredients is second to none.
A sampling of the dishes include:
• Mushroom Risotto • Porcini mushrooms are cooked in white wine, butter and cream to make a rich risotto. This is followed by a generous portion of porcini sauce with truffle oil and Parmesan cheese.
• Seared Partridge • Served with wild arugula, celery root puree and a balsamic reduction, this tender bird is roasted over cherry wood embers and served with a side of potato gnocchi.
• Chateaubriand • For those looking for something a little meatier, the chateaubriant is a traditional beef steak, slow braised in red wine and cognac.
• Foie Gras & Bone Marrow Gratiné • A classic French dessert, this creamy concoction features foie gras, black truffles and bone marrow.
8. Osteria Francescana
Via Stella 21, 41121 Modena, Italy
+39 0592223912
Open daily 11 am – 2 pm and 7 pm -11 pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
The dining room is decorated with a warm palette of earthy tones, while the walls are covered with photographs depicting the history of the region.
A team of chefs works behind the scenes preparing the dishes served in the restaurant.
They take inspiration from the ingredients used in the kitchen, such as locally grown vegetables and herbs.
For example, the menu includes a dish called “Cannelloni di bollito,” which is filled with tender veal cheeks cooked in white wine.
This is followed by a dessert called “Gelato al limone e noci,” which features lemon sorbet with candied hazelnuts.
9. La Pergola
The menu here offers a selection of classic dishes like pasta, risotto, meat and fish. But it’s the wine list that really sets it apart. A tasting menu allows you to select three courses paired with wines selected by the chef. There are over 500 bottles to choose from.
10. Le Calandre
Via Liguria 1, 35010 Sarmeola di Rubano – Tel.: +39 049 630 303
Part of the Hotel Le Calande, this fine dining establishment with 3 Michelin stars opened in 2003. Its chef, Fabio Picchi, has been awarded the title of “Chef de l’Année”, meaning he won the best Chef in Italy in 2012. His menu changes seasonally, offering dishes such as sea bass carpaccio, pork belly wrapped in foie gras, and truffles stuffed with porcini mushrooms.
11. Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia
Via Privata Raimondo Montecuccoli opened in 2011 and quickly earned three Michelin Stars. Its chef, Aimo Iacono, takes inspiration from his hometown of Bergamo, where he grew up eating traditional dishes like polenta with baccalà and pasta with ragù. He serves those classics alongside inventive twists like a creamy risotto with porcini mushrooms and ricotta cheese, and a rich chicken liver parfait served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread.
12. La Sponda
Via Cristoforo Columbo, 3084017 Ppositano, Italy
0.892155 -12.92329
+39 089 87 50 66
The menu offers a selection of dishes including seafood risotto, pasta, meat and fish specialties. For dessert there are homemade cakes, ice creams, sorbets and pastries. The restaurant has a capacity of 60 people. You can reserve a table online or call +39 089 87 50 67.
13. Enoteca Pinchiorri
Via dei Servi 3r/5
Florence, Italy
+39 055 242777
Enoteca Pinchiorris one of the best restaurants in Tuscany, located in the heart of Florence. A true gem in the city, it offers guests a unique experience where food, wine and art come together creating unforgettable moments.
The restaurant is managed by chef Massimiliano Bottura, considered one of the most talented chefs in the world today. His cuisine is based on the use of local products and traditional recipes.
His dishes are always inspired by nature, combining flavours and textures to give life to his creations.
For those looking for something special, Enoteca Pinchesiorri is the perfect place to enjoy a meal in Florence.
14. Fiola at Dopolavoro Venezia
The restaurant is located within the hotel itself. Guests are greeted upon arrival with complimentary water, coffee, tea, and snacks. They then make their way into the dining room where they are seated according to availability. A server brings out each guest’s menu, which includes everything from starters like raw oysters, smoked salmon carpaccio, and antipasti, to mains like grilled tuna tartare, roasted lamb loin, and veal sweetbreads.
The wine list features over 300 bottles, ranging from Italian classics to rare vintages from around the world. There are also several cocktails and craft beers on offer.
15. SantoPalato
Rome’s newest restaurant opened in July 2017. This unique space is located inside Palazzo della Cancelleria, one of Rome’s most important historical buildings. The design concept aims to bring together the best ingredients from around the world with a focus on seasonal dishes.
The restaurant features a modern Italian style interior with a warm wood flooring and large windows overlooking the ancient Roman Forum. Guests are greeted with a complimentary glass of prosecco upon arrival. They are offered a menu featuring a variety of small plates, sharing platters, cocktails and desserts.
16. Da Vittorio
Via Cantalupa, Bergamo
0335 681024
This is one of those restaurants where you don’t know what to do with yourself. You could spend hours trying to decide whether to start with the tasting menu ($250 per person), the set menus ($100-$150) or just enjoy the view while you eat. In fact, there are many reasons why you might want to take some time off from deciding how much to pay and simply enjoy the food.
The chef, Massimo Bottura, is famous for his creativity and willingness to experiment. He’s won awards for his work over the years and this place has been awarded three Michelin stars since it opened in 2018. The dishes range from classic Italian fare like gnocchi with black truffles to more unusual creations such as pork belly stuffed with chestnuts and served with celery root puree and fennel sauce. There are plenty of vegetarian options too.
You’ll find the restaurant tucked away down a quiet street in a residential area of Bergamo. But it’s worth the effort to find it and try it out.
17. Don Alfonso 1890
Don Alfonso 1890 is located in the serene Sant’Agata village, just outside of Rome. This restaurant serves some of the finest Italian cuisine in Italy. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with warm hospitality. The menu offers a wide variety of delicious dishes including homemade pasta, risotto, gnocchi, pizza, meatballs, seafood, salads, and desserts. The wine list features over 300 bottles of wine from around the world.
18. Club del Doge Restaurant
The Italian restaurant at Venice’s landmark Hotel Gritti Palace serves some of the best food in town. Located in the hotel’s main dining room, it’s a great place for lunch or dinner. If you want something special, try one of the chef’s signature dishes like the seafood carpaccio with basil oil and lemon zest or the grilled filet mignon with porcini mushrooms.
19. Dal Pescatore
This small town in the Venetian Lagoon is home to one of Italy’s most celebrated restaurants. Located just outside Venice, it’s known for its seasonal dishes inspired by local ingredients. Its menu changes every day and includes dishes like sea bass with fennel, celery root, and orange; and turbot with artichokes, spinach, and white wine sauce.
20. Il Desco
This exquisite restaurant located in the heart of Milan offers a unique dining experience thanks to its innovative menu and highly skilled chefs. There are three restaurants within the same building, each one offering a different atmosphere. While the main restaurant features a sophisticated ambience, the second one is more casual and comfortable, while the third one is dedicated to children. All of them offer creative cuisine based on local products, such as fish from Lake Maggiore, lamb raised in Piedmont, pork from Lombardy, vegetables from Emilia Romagna, and cheeses from Tuscany.
21. Il Palagio
The restaurant, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel in Florence, is known for its innovative Italian cuisine, including dishes such as wild boar ravioli and veal tartare. Guests are greeted by the hotel’s friendly staff upon arrival and offered complimentary water throughout their meal.
22. MEC Restaurant
Via Vittorio Emanoe, 45290134, Palermo, Italy
Billiges Restaurant mit besonderer Berücksichtigung von Kulinarik und Technologie in der italienischen Metropole Palermo
23. Bono Bottega Nostrana – San Pietro
Via di Porta Cavalleggera, 109/11100 165 Roma RM, Italy (39) 06 8923 6830
Bono Bottega Nostranaserves the best panini in Rome. We use only freshly sliced meats, cheeses and vegetables that are sourced locally whenever possible. Our bread is baked daily in our ovens and we make everything from scratch.
Our menu changes seasonally, offering customers a choice of over 30 different toppings. We offer a variety of sandwiches including Panino con Pollo (chicken), Panino con Vitello e Fegatini (veal & eggplant), Panino con Carne Cruda (beef) and Panino con Salmone (salmon).
We serve lunch and dinner 7 days a week.
24. Marea Seafood & Beverage
Via del Corso 573/a, 20122 Rome ITALY
+39 02 8457 0315
The name of this place says it all. This is a very special spot where you can enjoy some truly delicious Italian food and drink. From the moment we walked into the restaurant, we felt like we had stepped into another world. The decor is quite spectacular, with dark wood floors, white walls and black leather chairs. There are no tables here – just long communal benches along one wall. A few people sat down next to us and we asked what they thought about the place. They told us they loved it because there was always something interesting happening. We agreed.
In fact, everything about this place is exciting. For starters, the menu offers both traditional dishes and modern interpretations of classic Italian cuisine. In addition, there are daily specials and seasonal offerings. But the best part is the atmosphere. You won’t find many places that offer such a unique combination of casual elegance and fun. And since this is a seafood restaurant, the atmosphere is lively and vibrant.
We started our meal with a glass of prosecco while we waited for our waiter. He came over and introduced
25. La Stazione Del Pescatore
Via Is Cogottis is one of my favorite places to eat in Italy. Located just off the main drag of Tortolì, it sits nestled amongst a busy road filled with shops and restaurants. This small restaurant serves up some delicious seafood dishes like grilled octopus and calamari served over polenta. I love how the menu changes daily depending on what’s fresh and available.
26. Il Pellicano
The hotel itself is one of the most luxurious places you could ever imagine staying in. Located just outside of Porto Ercole, it offers guests a taste of what life is like at the very top of the food chain. The four-story building features a restaurant, bar, spa and pool, among many others.
In addition to being a hotel, it’s also home to a Michelin star restaurant called Il Pellicano. This is where Chef Michele Gioia serves up his unique take on Italian cuisine. He uses ingredients sourced locally whenever possible, and he creates dishes that are full of flavor, texture and aroma.
27. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
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28. Locanda dell’Isola Comacina
The restaurant sits on a stretch of lakefront property in the town of Lugano. This Italian eatery serves up traditional dishes such as pasta with pesto sauce, meatballs, chicken parmigiana, and fish stew. A great dish is the spaghetti with prawns and clams. Other options include grilled meats like steak and veal chops. There are also some vegetarian choices, including lasagna. This place is known for its delicious food and friendly staff. Booking ahead is recommended.
29. Piazza Duomo
The city center of Alba is home to the most important monuments of the town, including the cathedral and the Palazzo del Capitano. In addition to being one of the oldest cities in Tuscany, it offers many cultural events throughout the year, such as concerts, exhibitions and festivals. To enjoy the best of what Alba has to offer, you can choose among different restaurants, bars and clubs. Some are located in historical buildings, while others are housed in trendy spaces. You can find everything here: traditional dishes, fine dining, casual food, wine bars, pizzerias, bakeries, ice cream parlors and coffee shops.
30. Ratana
Ratana is one of those restaurants you just have to go to once in your life. It’s located in the heart of Milan, right next to the Duomo cathedral. The restaurant offers a menu that features traditional Italian dishes, like pizza, pasta, risotto, and meatballs, along with some very interesting vegetarian options. But what really makes Ratanà special are its desserts – especially the ones served during the summer months.
The place gets particularly crowded around lunchtime, because many people come here to eat outside. In fact, there are several outdoor seating areas where guests can enjoy their meals while looking out over the city. And since Ratanà serves delicious food and great drinks, it’s always a good idea to bring friends along.
31. Reale
Reale is a charming ristoro housed inside a historic 16 th – century monastery that overlooks Castellano, a small town located in the heart of Tuscany. The restaurant offers Tuscan cuisine and traditional dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù, osso buco, and tortelli della casa.
The menu includes seasonal ingredients and local products. Some of the most popular dishes include panzanella salad, ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese, grilled chicken breast with wild mushrooms, and tortelli dell’uovo.
Reale is open Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m to 3 p.m. Reservations are recommended.
32. Crostone.it
Crostone.it is a restaurant located in Piazza Castello in Torino, Italy. This place serves crostini, pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. They are open Monday to Friday from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm and from 5:00 pm to 12:00 midnight.
