Bellano: flavour, simplicity and lake views If you would like to get to know the village before sitting down to eat, take a look at Bellano’s hidden spots and the local tips that make it special. In Bellano, food is taken seriously, though never with too much fuss. Between the scent of the lake and the nearby mountains, you will find places where you instantly feel at home. In the village, there are restaurants that bring together lake views, local cooking and an authentic atmosphere. These are some of the ones worth noting down. Trattoria Ca' Oro – Tradition with a view 📍 Oro, Bellano • Open the venue link Up on the hillside, just a few minutes from the centre, this trattoria is a true hidden gem. From the terrace, you get a breathtaking view over the lake, while the cooking is wonderfully old-school: polenta taragna, mushrooms, braised beef and — in season — agoni and lavarello from Lake Como. The hosts are kind, welcoming and happy to tell you the story behind the dishes as though you were one of the family. 💬 Local tip: book for sunset on a summer evening: the light fading behind the mountain with the lake below is reason enough to come. Ristorante La Darsena – Elegance on the lakeside promenade 📍 Via Carlo Alberto 8, Bellano • Official website Perfect if you are looking for lunch or dinner with a lake view. The cooking is refined yet honest, with excellent perch and lavarello dishes and a relaxed atmosphere. It is ideal after a visit to the Bellano Gorge, with its legends, nature and mystery or after a stroll along the waterfront. 💬 Tip: book ahead to be sure of a table and try a lake-fish dish — lavarello or perch is always a good choice — with a local white wine. Varenna: romance, history and good food Varenna is the most picturesque village in the central lake area: lanes, flowers, little jetties and views that look as though they have been painted. Here, food becomes a sensory experience: a meeting point between Lake Como cuisine and Varenna’s romantic spirit, with views of the water, old streets and historic corners. Here are two recommended addresses. Ristorante Il Cavatappi – The authentic soul of Varenna 📍 Via XX Settembre 10, Varenna • Official website Small, cosy and intimate, it is one of the village’s best-loved restaurants. The menu changes with the seasons, combining tradition and creativity. You will find lake dishes as well as more contemporary options, all paired with excellent local and Italian wines. 💬 Local tip: book well in advance — the dining room has only a few tables and the waiting list says plenty about the quality. Trattoria Crotto di Pino – The taste of local roots 📍 Via Pino 6, Varenna • Open the venue link A local classic where the cooking stays true to tradition. Polenta, cheeses, cured meats and lake fish prepared the way they used to be. The atmosphere is informal and genuine, perfect after a visit to the Villa Monastero Gardens in Varenna. 💬 Tip: ask for a table in the outdoor courtyard beneath the vine. A glass of red and the setting will do the rest. In short: food experiences not to miss Lake Como is not only about romance — it is also about seriously good food. In Bellano, pair dinner with an evening visit to the gorge or a walk down to the pier. In Varenna, enjoy a romantic dinner after sunset and then take a stroll along the Walk of Lovers. In both villages, always ask for a lake-fish dish: agoni in carpione, perch risotto or grilled lavarello are all unmissable. To round off the experience, discover the traditional dishes of Lake Como you should try at least once and, if you choose Varenna, treat yourself to a special evening with what to do and see in Varenna by night. And for where to stay, I always recommend choosing a Bellano apartment at Villa Vista Lago.