Da Battista

A long-established family-run concern, opened many years ago and today a cornerstone of traditional Mantuan cooking: forthright, generous and of consistent quality, in the heart of the small and evocative village of Curtatone. Here the classic repertoire is never found wanting: tortelli di zucca, local cured meats, pike in salsa verde, long-braised meats, sbrisolona, zabaione... simple and fragrant dishes of genuine homely character, served in abundant portions at prices that are more than reasonable.

In the heart of the lower Padana valley, in the open countryside and in a lovely, specially restored farmhouse, Claudio prepares almost exclusively seafood cuisine of excellent quality, with a few southern accents, particularly from Puglia, his homeland. In summer, it is pleasant to sit at outdoor tables under the modern portico. The indoor dining room on the first floor has a contemporary feel.

This has long been one of those restaurants in Italy where the opulent interior decor has no equal – at Christmas, the mirrors, rugs, silverware, chandeliers and piles of books are joined by the largest and most ornate Christmas tree that you’ll ever see in a restaurant. The cuisine created by owner-chef Matteo Ugolotti is inspired by Mantuan traditions and the restaurant’s previous famous owners, occasionally going all the way back to the Renaissance. Special mention should be made of the extraordinary chocolate salami – a dessert coated with a delicious, frothy, warm zabaglione poured from a

A small, intimate restaurant with a welcoming ambience and simple yet lively feel, where the owner-chef at the helm in the kitchen also makes an appearance front of house. Mantuan traditions are evident in the generous portion sizes as well as in dishes such as the legendary pumpkin tortelli (served with butter or a tomato and sausage sauce), while other options are more creative in style – the Emilian lamb tartare delicately flavoured with its own cooking juices, and served with sautéed chard, savoury sbrisolona cake and black truffles from the lower Mantova region in season is particularly d

Adjacent to the historic center, this elegant and refined restaurant occupies an evocative sixteenth-century building that preserves a timeless charm. The talented and creative chef presents a contemporary cuisine that alternates meat and fish dishes with balance, playing with modern techniques and touches of imagination. The “amberjack sashimi with almond cream, raspberry, and puffed quinoa” is a small opening of pure finesse, while concluding with their excellent desserts is nearly obligatory. In fine weather, it is worth reserving a table on the evocative terrace, arranged around a captivat

A restaurant of young and contemporary character, with a lively entrance where a carefully considered display of wines – available for purchase – immediately signals the attention dedicated to the bottle. The offering focuses on a cuisine with a well-defined identity, built upon clean flavours and well-executed ideas. Among the most representative dishes, the tortelli duo deserves particular mention, half ‘sweet’ and half ‘bitter’, mantecati with artisan butter and sage, as does the Bove, a satisfying trio of beef that brings together braised stracotto, oven-roasted tongue and steamed cheek, s