SPINETO HOUSE

Almost ten years after it opened, this restaurant run by the Billis twins is moving towards what its owners describe as a “new tradition” – a personalised way of interpreting local traditions through the lens of global influences. While maintaining roots in solid Piedmontese traditions, the cuisine combines local ingredients with international techniques. Examples include “roasted rice”, a dish which is cooked in the oven and then flavoured according to the season and whim of the chef, and the “Carpaccio in Ramino”, beef which is lightly seared in a copper pan with rosemary, bay leaf, salt and

In the evocative vaulted dining room that once housed the celebrated Cavallino, Ciccio Bistrot now brings to the table a forthright, deeply local cuisine, faithful to tradition and free of unnecessary digressions – except in the playful titles that punctuate the menu. Among the offerings, the whimsically named “no name” deserves a taste: agnolotti del plin served with the sauce of your choosing, a small ritual of personalization that wins over regulars. Each day brings a few off-menu delicacies, while wine maintains the role tradition assigns it: a discreet yet essential companion, supported b

Occupying a 17C palazzo in the village centre, this restaurant showcases regional cuisine in all its glory. Specialities include agnolotti (stuffed pasta) served in three traditional ways (plain, cooked in wine, or with a meat sauce), boiled tongue, and local hazelnut semifreddo with chocolate fondant, all accompanied by wines chosen from an extensive wine list. Added attractions are the open fire in winter, an attractive outdoor space for summer dining, and a few comfortable guestrooms to the rear.

Villa Sparina is an elegant rural resort named after its winery. The Orangerie hosts guests, whereas fine dining unfolds at La Gallina restaurant: amid rustic and elegant settings, contemporary cuisine is presented, drawing ample inspiration from Piedmont, as well as nearby Liguria (the dessert "Good Morning Genoa" playfully mimics breakfast with cappuccino and focaccia), though Campania references, the chef's homeland, never falter. Personalised wine selection: exclusively Champagne, abundant Piedmont choices, with particular emphasis on Barbaresco and Barolo.

The magnificent biodynamic La Raia farm, an enchanting 180-hectare oasis between Novi Ligure and Gavi, is home to a contemporary art foundation, the Rossi Cairo family winery, a Steiner school for employees’ children, guest accommodation, and this restaurant which benefits from a fertile ecosystem that provides much of its zero-mile produce. The cuisine is rooted in local traditions which have been reinterpreted in contemporary style. In the evening (and at lunchtime at weekends), choose between an à la carte, a tasting menu inspired by wines from the property’s estates between Gavi and Langhe

A grandparents’ home has evolved into a charming bistro-like restaurant, while outdoors, the owner-curated garden beckons a peek. The cuisine is simple and classic, comforting, with certain regional dishes alongside fish courses, while an entire menu page is dedicated to risottos.

Opened in 1912 and now run by the fourth generation of the same family, this is one of the best restaurants in the Oltrepò Pavese area. If you’re looking to sample the gastronomic delights of this region, you’ll find a whole host of delicious specialities on offer, from charcuterie and stews to boiled meats and excellent fresh pasta. Attractively furnished guestrooms with the same nostalgic feel as the restaurant are also available.