La Casetta Chiesa Valmalenco

Leave your car in the car park and walk up a short track to this restaurant which has a pleasantly rustic and romantic atmosphere that is typical of old Valtellina. On the menu, pride of place is given to local specialities such as bresaola, buckwheat pasta, cheese and meat dishes, all of which conjure up the flavours of this delightful region.

This long-established restaurant just outside Sondrio has been run for the past decade by Gianluca, whose experience injects new life into traditional dishes from the local region, as well as introducing the occasional Mediterranean twist. There’s a simpler menu at lunchtime, plus a good selection of local wines and cheeses on sale at takeaway prices near the restaurant entrance.

This simple yet welcoming family-run restaurant is situated on the wine route that wends its way through the hills behind Sondrio, less than 5km away. The dining room boasts a cheerful open fireplace (also used as a grill), while an attractive outdoor terrace offers fine views of the valley. The cuisine focuses mainly on local recipes and ingredients, with some main courses cooked over the grill.