A guide to the best restaurants in Limone
Just look at pictures of Limone – those cobbled lanes and characteristic Italian buildings are the reason holidaymakers flock here year after year for an Italian lake holiday. You’ll be hard pressed to find restaurants where cuisine isn’t ground in Italian traditions, though the settings range from leafy courtyards, to right on the docks or tucked down narrow side streets. Put together, it all makes for a scenic, seriously laid-back dining experience you’ll come to expect from holidays to Lake Garda.
Creative dining at La Cantina del Baffo
La Cantina del Baffo offers its guests modern gourmet cuisine with lake views. The most popular way to go at this little restaurant is the tasting menu, which offers around six courses, all of which are presented with the utmost creativity. Dishes like truffle starters and pepper ice cream are all expertly paired with wine, making for a romantic evening all-round.
Waterfront views at Ristorante Le Palme
The terrace of this picturesque little restaurant will have you sitting right up along the waterfront. The food caters to holidaymakers in particular, so you can expect a range of familiar favourites like pizza, burgers, carbonara and dishes featuring fresh fish just brought in from the lake.
Cosy evenings at Buffalo Grill Steakhouse
This casual restaurant offers a real pub feel, with gourmet burgers, spare ribs, thick-cut chips and a whole lot of beer on tap. You’ll also find pretty elaborate desserts, like waffles smeared with ice cream and blackberry sauce and cannoli filled to the seams.
Lakeside wine at Ristorante Gemma
Another of Limone’s waterfront restaurants, Ristorante Gemma feels a little more upscale than the rest. You can pause here for just a coffee along the lake or stay a little while – caprese salads, beef ravioli, wine and cocktails will easily keep you content.
A romantic courtyard at Al Vecchio Fontec
Tucked up in the side streets that wind up through Limone, Al Vecchio Fontec is a small but cosy, romantic spot. It’s anchored by a central, outdoor courtyard, where glasses of wine, mozzarella cheese wrapped in pastry, and pasta topped with scallops are happily enjoyed.
Leafy garden scenery at Osteria Da Livio
The outdoor courtyard at Osteria Da Livio feels like an urban tree house. Quirky and unusual, it comes with a menu of hearty dishes to keep guests full. Stopping by for cocktails and dessert is acceptable, but burgers topped with bacon and ravioli with sage and butter are likely to tempt you once you arrive.
Cobbled lane pit stops at Speck Stube al Castel
Quite literally hidden away in Limone’s network of cobbled streets, Speck Stube al Castel might take you a little time to find. Once you’re here however, you won’t soon forget it. Pizzas, bruschetta or plates of cold ham, cheese and olives are great accompaniments to a pint of beer, whether you’re just passing through or are looking to rest for a while.
Italian tapas at Casa L'Andrunel
Casa L’Andrunel exudes modern-rustic vibes. The wine here will undoubtedly tempt you, mostly because it’s stacked in bulk around the room. The menu is limited, but the experience is tapas-style, with carpaccio, cheese and dishes of bruschetta to share.
Spaghetti specialities at Spaghetti Haus
There’s plenty of spaghetti to go around at this elegant restaurant, located up in the hills and overlooking the lake below. There’s spaghetti topped with generous portions of seafood, plus fresh fish dishes, fried calamari, cold plates and more than 30 types of pizza.
Sweet treats at Gelateria Cento Per Cento
To round off our list, we’re ending on a sweet note with Italy’s favourite dessert – gelato. Feasting on this cool sweet treat is a rite of passage on summer holidays to the Italian lakes. Gelateria Cento Per Cento is Limone’s most popular gelateria, and rightly so – the flavours here range from coffee to coconut, mint chocolate and grape, all best enjoyed on a hot summer’s day.