Lake Garda: 10x Michelin Star Restaurants
Michelin-starred cuisine meets the splendor of Lake Garda: let’s call it an “eternal marriage”, shall we?
Lake Garda is the perfect escape: breathtaking landscapes, medieval villages… How could you not fall in love with this place? Anyway, there’s more. Have you ever tried any of the 10x Michelin Star restaurants on Lake Garda? Well, I think it’s time you had such an incredible experience.
A never-ending tradition that never fails to impress. You will dream of a different world, thanks to original flavors and innovative combinations. The chefs always do their best to ensure you have an experience you will never forget.
Here are the best fine dining hotspots to visit on Lake Garda, starting from the eastern side. Then we will discover the western part, ending with the Trentino shore.
Michelin-starred restaurants on Lake Garda: Eastern side
Ristorante Oseleta – Cavaion Veronese
Chef Marco Marras welcomes you to the enchanting country-chic atmosphere of Villa Cordevigo. Inside is the restaurant Oseleta, surrounded by a beautiful landscape. We are in Cavaion Veronese, not far from Lake Garda. You will experience a multi-sensorial journey, discovering the local gastronomy and a perfect balance between traditional recipes and innovative flavours. The Oseleta also offers an extensive list of local wines from Bardolino and Lake Garda.
Vecchia Malcesine – Malcesine
Vecchia Malcesine is one of the 10x Michelin Star restaurants on Lake Garda. According to your feelings, it’s time to make a choice: signature dishes or psycho dishes?
The former tell the story of Lake Garda, its typical flavours and aromas. You will also live a unique multi-sensory experience, discovering the hidden secrets of Italy’s largest lake. If you choose the second option, you will be completely overwhelmed. Your mind will hardly remember such an incredible journey. Chef Leandro Luppi himself reflects his personality in each of the recipes… To know him better, you have to try them all.
So let’s take a trip to the starred restaurants on the western shore of Lake Garda.
Michelin-Starred restaurants on Lake Garda: West Side
Capriccio – Manerba
Facing the sun, right on the lakeshore, is the Capriccio restaurant. Located in Manerba since 1965, the restaurant offers high quality local cuisine.
The chef, Giuliana Germiniasi, believes in spreading her creativity. Francesca Tassi, on the other hand, is the great oenologist, suggesting to the guests the type of wine that goes perfectly with the dishes on the menu.
The location, well, is something else. If you want to celebrate a special occasion, you can ask for a personalized menu. The terrace is always romantic, especially for a dinner with your sweetheart.
Lido 84 – Gardone Riviera
The restaurant Lido 84 presents itself as an authentic visual marvel on the shores of Lake Garda. Located in the picturesque village of Gardone Riviera, it is housed in a historic building adorned with Art Deco and contemporary works of art.
In this setting, the Camanini brothers – with Riccardo as the chef and Giancarlo as the restaurateur – have created a welcoming haven, meticulously designed and offering an extraordinary gastronomic experience.
Villa Feltrinelli – Gargnano
Villa Feltrinelli is a magnificent villa in Gargnano, on the west coast, and it’s also an important restaurant with two Michelin stars. It’s no wonder that each course is a work of art. Chef Stefano Baiocco is passionate about authenticity and simplicity, but he also loves to create spectacular dishes. You will enjoy an unforgettable experience close to Lake Garda, surrounded by nature and vegetation. It is impossible not to fall in love with this place and with the innovative flavours created by Stefano.
La Rucola 2.0 – Sirmione
Restaurant La Rucola 2.0 is certainly one of the best Michelin-starred restaurants on Lake Garda. We are in Sirmione: one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It’s up to you whether you prefer the tasting menu to the à la carte menu. Prepare yourself for a real journey into local tradition! If you choose the tasting menu, you will have to make a different choice. There are many itineraries: which one inspires you most? What is more, your experience will be enhanced by the quality of the wine.
Senso Alfio Ghezzi – Limone
The restaurant Senso Alfio Ghezzi is a gem located within EALA, where you can immerse yourself in an atmosphere that will be impossible to forget. Picture yourself in a room suspended over the water, surrounded by the blue of the lake.
The characteristic that defines the dishes offered is their Italian nature, balancing tradition and innovation. You’ll be presented with a menu from which you can choose between two tastings: ‘SENSO’ and ‘Antologia.’ Or you can opt for the simple à la carte menu.
The restaurant’s highlight is the cellar, showcasing wines of the highest quality and offering a selection from the Viticulture of the Alps. All the wines are carefully chosen to be the perfect companions to the various dishes, taking you on a unique gastronomic experience.
Il Rivale – Padenghe sul Garda
This restaurant, also known as ‘Osteria a Palazzo‘, is one of the most sophisticated restaurants on the western shore of the lake. The location is fascinating to say the least: the tables are set between the interior of a 17th century villa and a veranda with a view.
The restaurant brings traditional Lombard cuisine to the table, revisiting it in a gourmet key through careful preparation techniques. If you are interested in places frequented by locals, this Michelin restaurant is the first on the list for those wishing to celebrate a special occasion. After all, the high quality of the raw material stands out, as with all the other restaurants owned by the Favalli brothers.
Esplanade – Desenzano del Garda
A Michelin-starred temple of Italian cuisine: if you are looking for a seafood/lake food restaurant on Lake Garda, the Esplanade is the place to be. Chef Massimo Fezzardi loves details above all. That’s why the Esplanade is one of the best restaurants. Its strength? High quality raw materials combined with a huge selection. The panoramic view, especially at sunset, is the highlight of this beautiful place. If you are planning a romantic dinner for two, all you have to do is make a reservation.
We have finally arrived at the Trentino coast. Impressive mountains and incredible scenery provide the perfect backdrop for your Michelin-star experience. Here’s why.
Michelin-Starred restaurants on Lake Garda: North Side
Peter Brunel Ristorante Gourmet – Arco
Chef Peter Brunel loves food and design. At Peter Brunel Ristorante Gourmet you will find both! His cuisine is inspired by art, especially architecture. The restaurant is light and airy, with each room dedicated to a stage of the gastronomic experience. A room for aperitifs, another for coffee and dessert and a main dining room for the meal. The minimalist look is down to the smallest detail. Chef Brunel was particularly inspired by the Italian poet Gabriele D’Annuzio. That’s why he borrowed some elements from his home, “Il Vittoriale“, to decorate the restaurant in a very original way. The pastry chef is Maria Novella Salani, an expert in haute patisserie. She was recently named “Pastry Chef of the Year” by Le Guide de l’Espresso.
Now you’ve done it, you know each one of the 10x Michelin restaurants on Lake Garda. Choose your favourite… and book your experience!
