Albergo Villa Francesca Beauty Spa

Three-starred since 1996 – a record in Italy – and approaching its centenary, this restaurant is an unmissable landmark for understanding the history of Italian gastronomy. In Runate, a small hamlet in the countryside between Cremona and Mantua, a family osteria of long standing has been transformed into a place of rare elegance and genuine hospitality. In the dining room, Antonio Santini, flanked by his family, welcomes guests with warmth, while in the kitchen a tradition of rigour, sensitivity and continuity is lovingly perpetuated. The interiors, balanced between memory and contemporaneity,

When you dine at Leon D’Oro, you feel as though you’re visiting old friends thanks to the attractive, rustic-style atmosphere, with two elegant dining rooms and a welcoming garden for summer evenings. The cuisine is regional yet also includes fish and seafood, with traditional recipes featuring alongside more modern and creative fare on the menu. There are two tasting options, both dedicated to the sea and water, while the extensive à la carte includes superb delicacies such as marubini pasta with a Marsala reduction and parmesan cheese, and sturgeon au gratin with a Mediterranean battuto, mil

A true classic of Italian dining, Esplanade has held its star since 1992 and is so renowned among food lovers that it has become synonymous with Desenzano del Garda itself. Beyond its splendid lakeside setting, separated only by a well-tended garden (the summer terrace is unmissable), the spotlight remains firmly on the cuisine. The menu is among the most extensive and refined in Italy, balanced between meat and fish, rooted in both Italian and local traditions, and always attentive to seasonal ingredients. It is a classic style of cooking, respectful of the past yet nuanced with a modern touc

A rustic building welcomes guests into a warm and authentic setting, where the family atmosphere is made even more pleasant by the warm welcome extended by the owners, who know just how to put guests at ease within minutes. The kitchen serves contemporary dishes, prepared with simplicity and taste. According to the Inspector, the most tempting of the desserts is the “meringata a cucchiaio”, a meringue dessert served with ice cream, whipped cream and a crunchy crumble of amaretti biscuits and chocolate: an irresistible finale.

Overlooking a picturesque Renaissance square, the café here dates back to the early 19C and the trattoria shortly after. Today, the decor is a nostalgic mix of styles from the mid-19C to the mid-20C, including Art Nouveau. The restaurant not only appeals to the eyes but also to the tastebuds thanks to its careful selection of top-quality local ingredients which are served in family-style dishes typical of the Po Valley, with a broad selection of recipes from the different provinces in this extensive region (stuffed marubini pasta in broth, culatello ham, boiled meats served with home-made most

Having trained with Antonino Cannavacciuolo, young chef Vincenzo Manicone has, with his wife Sara, embarked on a new venture in this elegant restaurant with a glass-fronted dining room and a terrace suspended between the lake and the sky. Showcased on tasting menus and an à la carte, the chef’s cuisine demonstrates a maturity that pays close attention to colour and flavour, with beautifully presented dishes prepared from top-quality, well-balanced ingredients. Also evident is the aim, currently in vogue, of reducing food waste by using every single part of the animal (as in the case of the exc

Situated just a stone’s throw from the famous castle in Sirmione’s historic centre, this restaurant is immediately striking for its elegant and creative feel. The choice here focuses on four tasting menus, from which guests can choose individual courses à la carte style if they prefer. Francesco Turturro’s cuisine is creative in feel, including various fish and seafood dishes alongside a few meat options and a menu dedicated exclusively to vegetables.