Hotel Rododendro

Once you’ve left your car in the car park and crossed the Brembo river, you enter a fairytale setting of meadows and horses surrounded by the Orobic peaks. Here, the cuisine is a declaration of love for the mountains – although occasionally elaborate, the carefully prepared dishes are substantial and full of flavour, with the same solid character as the inhabitants of these valleys and with meat and dairy produce taking centre stage. The cheese trolley at the end of your meal is a real highlight – there’s something here for all tastes! The wine list is also full of character, featuring a perso

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.