Where to eat in Lake Garda

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. From cozy trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants, Lake Garda has something to satisfy every palate. Do you prefer fresh seafood or hearty Italian classics? You’ll find every of it here.

Fish and seafood are the main ingredients in many of Lake Garda’s signature dishes. This is due to the lake’s proximity to the Adriatic Sea and the abundance of freshwater fish in its waters.

However, pasta and meat also play a significant role in the region’s cuisine. Local specialties like Tortellini and Vin Santo showcase the use of sweet ingredients and regional produce. Traditional recipes are not so different from northern to southern part but there may be some variations.

An extraordinary taste journey

Imagine embarking on a gastronomic adventure through Lake Garda, where each town offers its own unique culinary delights. Remember, Lake Garda is split between three relevant italian regions: Lombardia, Trentino, Veneto. Each one of these with its history, cultures and tradition. So, it’s perfectly natural for the Lake to have the perfect combination of those.

Venetian-side traditional food and wine

From the hearty Lesso e Pearà to the delicate Tortellini di Valeggio, you’ll find something for your taste. Other notable dishes include Risotto Tastasal, a risotto flavored with cured meat remnants; Bigoli con le Sarde, a pasta dish made with sardines; Luccio e Polenta, a pike fish served with polenta; Risotto all’Amarone, a rich risotto made with Amarone wine; Pastissada de caval, a horse meat stew; Sarde in Saor, sardines preserved in a sweet and sour sauce; and Anatra col Pien, a stuffed duck dish. And don’t forget wine, oh Bardolino DOC is something you need to try even if you don’t like alcohol taste.

Trentino-side traditional food and wine

Carne salada (dry-cured beef), strangolapreti (a type of pasta), bigoli (thick spaghetti), and canederli (dumplings) in broth: these are just a few of the many traditional dishes of Trentino cuisine. The flavors are sometimes intense, sometimes delicate, and are best enjoyed with a glass of local wine, like Trentodoc, or a craft beer produced in the region.

Lombard-side traditional food and wine

These dishes often feature rich sauces, hearty meats, and creamy polenta. Some of the region’s most iconic dishes include ossobuco, a braised veal shank served with risotto; cascà, a cornmeal porridge topped with melted butter and cheese; and polenta e osei, a dish of polenta topped with braised birds. Lombard-side cuisine also boasts a variety of cheeses, such as Grana Padano and Gorgonzola, and delicious desserts like panettone and torrone.

Best towns and areas where to eat

No matter if you’re seeking a romantic dinner with stunning lake views or a casual meal in a charming trattoria, Lake Garda gets your back and so you will enjoy your eating experience. Join us as we explore the best towns to savor the specialties.

Lazise

Lazise boasts a renowned tradition of restaurants, united in an association to promote traditional cuisine, quality, and the overall image of the food industry. Numerous specialties based on lake fish are offered, each restaurant adding its own unique twist. Among the most famous traditional dishes are Risotto with tench, Luccio alla Gonzaga (pike cooked in a specific sauce), fried bullhead meatballs, Sardines in saor, and Grilled lavarello (whitefish). Dishes that have become rare due to the scarcity of the species include lake trout in sauce and grilled carpione.
To truly taste the flavor of each of those dishes, the following options are recommended:

• Cozzeria Ristorante Alle Mura.
• Ristorante Vecchia Dogana.
• La Taverna da Oreste.
• Classique.

The traditional peasant breakfast consisted of polenta, salami, salted cured meats, and local wine. A grilled bun and coffee with milk was a common breakfast for women, children, and the elderly. Of couse you can find sweet options like croissant, gelato or cake. Here some tips:

• Cappuccino Bar Lazise.
• Caffè Beccherie.
• Caffè del Corso.
• La Cremeria di Lazise.
• Pasticceria Dolci Segreti

Let’s now move to the next town, where your taste buds will be delighted from Tortellini in all sort of sauce.

Valeggio sul Mincio

Valeggio sul Mincio, a charming town on the Mincio River, offers a rich culinary experience. Valeggio is known for: its IGP peaches, a prized fruit with a sweet and juicy flavor; two renowned wines produced in the region Custoza DOC and Bardolino DOC; Tortellini di Valeggio, a pasta filled with braised meat; Bigoli con le Sarde, a pasta dish made with sardines.
For sure this is the city that more embodies the concept of crossroads of cultures and flavors.
Suggested places where to taste Valeggio delicacies are:

• Alla Borsa
• Al Re del Tortellino Il Ristorantino
• Ristorante Bue D’Oro
• Ristorante Lepre

For your breakfast treat yourself with Torta delle Rose (Rose Cake), a buttery and fragrant dessert, or the Dolce Valeggio, a chocolate-filled sponge cake. For a unique twist, try the Chocolate Tortellini, a sweet treat inspired by the town’s traditional pasta.

• 18 Via Roma Cafè
• Caffè Nolita
• Gelateria Gelsy di Bertelli Barbara
• Gelateria Borgo Antico
• Pasticceria Martini Flavio

Our next stop is the paradise of Cheeses and Oil, Malcesine, on the north-eastern shore of the Lake.

Malcesine

At the heart of Malcesine’s culinary identity is its exceptional olive oil. Produced from centuries-old olive groves that benefit from the lake’s moderating influence, this extra virgin olive oil boasts a delicate, fruity flavor with hints of almond. Garda DOP olive oil is also prized for its health benefits and is used in the production of local cosmetics.

The region’s diverse terroir produces a range of wines, including the crisp and refreshing Lugana, the versatile Custoza, and the robust Bardolino. The combination of lake fish, such as lavarello and pike, with a glass of local white wine is a classic pairing that encapsulates the essence of Malcesine’s cuisine.

Malcesine offers a variety of traditional dishes that showcase the region’s culinary heritage. One such dish is the luccio in salsa, a pike cooked in a flavorful sauce made with herbs, olive oil, and vinegar. For a taste of the mountains, try casat del Baldo, a hard cheese produced in the nearby Alps. The local cuisine also features a wide range of pasta dishes, such as bigoli (thick spaghetti) served with sardines, and risotto made with local fish or game.
Our suggested options where find the perfect foodie experience are:

• Al Gondoliere
• Ristorante Vecchia Malcesine.
• Ristorante Paradiso Perduto
• Vidoc

Start your day with a classic Italian cappuccino and freshly baked croissants. For a heartier option, try the traditional Italian breakfast of pane e salame (bread and salami) or pane e pomodoro (bread and tomato). Here some of the best spots:

• Bar Castello
• Bar Al Barchet
• Dolce Vita
• Panetteria Pasticceria Galletti Malcesine

Now, for a truly wine lover tour, let’s going on fast forwarding to Bardolino, the temple of Lake Garda wine.

Bardolino (historical center)

The undisputed protagonist of Bardolino’s gastronomy is Bardolino DOC wine, a light and fruity red wine produced primarily with Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes. There is also a rosé version, Chiaretto di Bardolino, which is particularly appreciated for its freshness and versatility.

Bardolino Classico is a medium-bodied red wine with notes of cherry, strawberry, and a hint of spice. Its balanced acidity and soft tannins make it perfect for pairing with traditional local dishes, such as: Risotto with lake fish, Bigoli pasta with sardines, Polenta with mushrooms, Baked trout with Bardolino Classico, and roasted chestnuts.

Bardolino Chiaretto is a rosé wine with a pale and bright color, with aromas of wild strawberries, citrus fruits, and white flowers. It is a fresh and light wine, ideal for warm summer days. This one is recommended to accompany dishes like: Seafood appetizers, such as tuna tartare or swordfish carpaccio, grilled shrimp, summer salads with arugula and mozzarella, fresh cheeses, and pizza.

• Ristorante Pizzeria La Cantinetta
• Ristorante Locanda Al Cardellino
• La Piccola Osteria
• Ristorante Piccolo Doge
• Osteria Al Capitel

Many cafés and bars in Bardolino offer a buffet-style breakfast, allowing you to sample a variety of local delicacies. Additionally, agriturismos (farmstays) often serve traditional Italian breakfasts featuring fresh, homemade bread, local cheeses, and cold cuts.

• Caffè Bardolino
• Cafè Italia
• Bar pasticceria Manzoni
• Winebar PréOnda
• Biancaneve

Stay with us because our trip is going to end soon. The last (but not least!) stop of our journey is the northern shore of Lake Garda, between Torbole and Riva del Garda.

Northern shores (Torbole and Riva del Garda)

Torbole and Riva del Garda are two closed town on the north shore of the Lake. Their traditional dishes match and consists in: Bigoli with Lake Garda Sardines; Pike in Garda-style Sauce; Risotto with Tench; Lake Garda Sardines in Saor, Grilled or Fried and Grilled Lavarello. Bigoli are a simple recipe, handed down through generations, involves sautéing fresh sardines in a pan with extra virgin Garda DOP olive oil, garlic, chili pepper, and parsley. You can taste this dish at various food festivals around Lake Garda.

Freshly caught and served with local ingredients such as lemons, capers, anchovies, and Garda olive oil, Pike, it is a dish with a fresh and delicate flavor, perfect when paired with a portion of polenta. Risotto, of course, is among the most beloved in the Lake Garda gastronomic tradition. Simply sit in one of the many restaurants overlooking the lake and let yourself be surprised by the intense flavor of the tench.

• Ristorante al Volt
• Ristorante i Momenti Riva del garda.
• Ristorante Pizzeria Leon D’oro Riva
• Ristorante la Berlera

A typical breakfast in this charming lakeside town often includes a warm cappuccino or caffè latte paired with a flaky croissant or a slice of toast with butter and jam.

• Mini White Bar
• Bar Roma
• Rivabar
• Bar Gelateria Flora

So, there you have it! A taste of the culinary delights that Lake Garda has to offer. But don’t just take our word for it – plan your own gastronomic adventure and discover your favorite local dish, food tours are also available. Buon appetito!