Favorite local eats:

There are WAY too many great places to eat to ever capture them all here. This is just a short list of local places we’ve tried and enjoyed. We’d love to hear back from you on what you may have discovered, so we can add it to our list to try.

A few tips about eating. Most places don’t even open for dinner until about 7pm, and if you get there then, you’ll probably be the first there, (unless there are other Americans). Honestly we like that, because we rarely have issues getting seated. But since they don’t focus on turning tables quickly, in some places depending on the season or how fancy it is, you might need a reservation (prenotazione), so do check that before going.

In Laveno:

First, Groceries:

There are three local places mainly to find staples and other treats.

  1. The Coop directly behind our building.

  2. The more modern Tigros a short walk away.

  3. And don’t forget the market day on Tuesday.

Each place has LOTS of delicious stuff and most of it is fresh and sourced very nearby, when possible.

Next, Restaurants:

Even in our small town we haven’t yet tried everything. (we keep going back to out favorites each trip). Here’s a list of some we enjoy.

  1. Come a Casa: For a slightly more upscale but still very relaxed take on local and regional dishes with incredibly fresh ingredients, this is the spot. It’s windowed dining room looks out on the lake and the service is excellent.

  2. Calianna Ristorante e Affittacamere: Just around the corner on the way toward the Funivia. Sweet old couple making fresh delicious home-made Italian specialties. Small place so reservation recommended, but if you eat early you might get lucky.

  3. Pizzeria da Gianni: Two brothers run this great joint which focuses mainly on fresh handmade and amazing pizzas. Cozy comfortable atmosphere just around the corner from our place.

  4. I Baldi: Literally everything is good here. From morning pastries and coffee, to delicious homemade lunch specials, to fantastic appetizers and drinks before sumptuous dinner. Cannot go wrong here.

  5. Kopi Club: Great appertivo, delicious pizza, and other home cooked fare with a fantastic outdoor dining patio on the Lungo Lago.

  6. Amy Sushi: Right next door is a delicious Asian restaurant. They have a very hip modern atmosphere and an extensive menu of delicious sushi and other Japanese/Asian dishes. You order off of an iPad and just keep the dishes coming until you’re satisfied.

  7. La Lampara: This is a GREAT local joint, as in mostly frequented by locals and run by a pleasantly gruff and funny owner. They have a fantastically priced lunch special with a primi, secondi, salad, side, and house wine for under 20 Euro. House specialty is Pasta Lampara. Not to be missed.

  8. Musa’s: Honorable mention. It is not fancy at all, but if you just want a quick sandwich the kebab place around the corner is fast and delicious. Get the kebap plate with fries and a drink.

  9. Funivie del Lago Maggiore Restaurant: We already have a whole area dedicated to the Funivia, but the restaurant is also a MUST. The aperitivo and food has always been dependably good, (for a classic local dish, try the “polenta con cinghiale”, which is like slow-cooked pot roast and grits). But when also combined with the special seasoning of a sunset over the mountains and lake, it’s sublime.

I Dolci… SO many delicious spots for sweets, but a few tops would be:

  1. Del Duca: The selection and quality here are AMAZING, as is the espresso.

  2. Pasticceria Il Porto: LITERALLY just around the corner. Blink and you’ll miss it, but that would be a shame because their coffe and pastries are hand made delicacies.

  3. Gelateria L'Imbarcadero: Hard to say any one gelateria is the best, but this one is certainly a contender, day or night. Just a block away.

  4. Al Rosselli: If Coffee is your thing, this is the place. Local favorite.

Each place has LOTS of delicious stuff and most of it is fresh and sourced very nearby, when possible.

In INTRA (across the lake). So many great places over there. We are still exploring, but here are a couple we know to be good.

  1. LIFT: Right on Piazza Daniele Ranzoni (the main piazza by the water). Remarkably good food and something for everyone.

  2. Ristorante Isolino Verbania: Kind of hidden away, near the main cathedral. Great pastas, (amazing slow-cooked ragu).

More info to come…

Prepared foods:

Just around the corner there’s a butcher called “Macelleria Stefanelli” who also makes some amazing prepared foods that you can easily pick up and heat up in the condo. You may not ever use the kitchen, but if you feel like eating in without “cooking” this is a great alternative. All local fresh ingredients made with delicious Italian recipes and standards.

ABOVE Laveno:

Ok, if you come to Laveno you HAVE to take a ride up the Funivia for the truly spectacular view. At the very least you might want a cocktail and some antipasti. But if you have time, we strongly recommend the lovely cliffside restaurant. Honestly the food has no business being as good as it is. The serving style is modest, but the dishes are excellent, and the drinks delicious. In particular, this is a great place to try polenta with cinghiale (wild boar). It’s a hearty delicious regional dish you won’t regret trying. Like rich roast beef and gravy over creamy grits.

There’s also a pleasant little park area if you want to have a panoramic picnic, and if your lucky you might even see the paragliders and hang-gliders launching off the ramp behind the small hotel up there.

You can always get a ride to the top to enjoy the view, and maybe a light snack. Depending on the season you might want to reserve a table for dinner. Be aware of the last bucket down though (just about sunset). If you miss your ride, it’s a LONG STEEP walk.

For Foodies:

Generally all the food we’ve had has been good. But if you have epicurian tastes, Laveno has several spots for you. In particular are these two highly rated establishments wich frame the outer north and south edges of town, right along the lake.

  1. Locando Pozzetto: Almost a secret, this is a stunning relaxed “back porch” view from a tiny boutique hotel on a hill above the north side of the lake. It serves carefully crafted gourmet food from seasonal ingredients. We haven’t been yet but locals rave about this place.

  2. La Tavola: This is in a small hotel just south of Laveno. It boasts a Michelin star and hangs off a low cliff directly over the water to serve it’s culinary masterpieces. There’s also a more casual pizza & oyster side of the restaurant