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As some of you know, I have spent a fair amount of time in my home town in Italy during these past couple of years. Though I was there to take care of my Mum, and did not have a chance to explore much at all, I did get some breaks here and there to see friends, usually for lunch.
These moments of escape gave me the opportunity to discover some really good restaurants I am happy to recommend. Some I have known for many years and are consistently reliable, some are new – at least they are to me.
Should you ever explore that part of Italy, you might want to keep this list handy.
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This area of Northern Italy is known as “Terra dei Sette Laghi”, or the Land of the Seven Lakes, as there are indeed seven lakes all within the Province of Varese: Lake Varese, Lake Maggiore (the best known one), Lake Ceresio/Lugano, Lake Comabbio, Lake Monate, and the much smaller but also charming Lake Ghirla and Lake Ganna.
And just on the other side of Lake Maggiore, heading west into the Piemonte Region, is also the beautiful Lake d’Orta. Driving east on the opposite side is super famous Lake Como. Yep, lots of lakes up there.
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WHAT THIS LIST WILL INCLUDE
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AREA OF FOCUS: Varese and surrounding area, in Northern Italy + Ticino, Switzerland
Pretty much eateries in Varese town and within 1 hour max driving distance from it. Anything beyond that would become a road trip, not a lunch/dinner outing, and also belong in a separate category.
This list will include restaurants, pizzerias, patisseries, ice cream shops etc. These can be simple and cheap, or fancy and more expensive ones. It doesn’t matter: if it’s good, it gets listed.
I will also be adding as many photos as I either have or can get hold of (that are good), just so you can drool and get hungry as much as I did while prepping them.
Teleportation, anyone?
I will start with Varese town and radiate out from there, and the eateries given will be in no particular order of merit. I will provide names, link and a quick note for each.
In this list, you will also find:
- places that looked really good but that I did not have time to visit, though they are on my go-to list for next trip
- places that I have not been to personally, but are recommended to me by my nephew Massimo, whose taste in food I definitely trust
I also intend to keep this list updated by and by, so you can always come back to it as a reference.
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VARESE PROPER
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La Posteria | Via C. Cattaneo 3, Varese (image at the top of the post, right above and below)
Mid-high end, gorgeous courtyard and covered patio area, great wine list, excellent food. Higher price range.
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Il Gestore | Viale Aguggiari 48, Varese (two images below)
Excellent food and wine list in the elegant ambiance of a turn of 1900 villa in Liberty style. This family has been cooking with consistent quality for many, many years. Wonderful garden and lovely, airy covered patio.
Save room for dessert, as their assortment shows up on a rolling cart, so your eyes will pop out for wanting them all.
Higher price range.
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Ristorante La Perla | Via Carrobbio 19, Varese (two images below)
Elegant ambiance in an old part of town, with a courtyard at the entrance. Excellent food and wine list. I have dined there several times with both family and friends, though not in a while. I look forward to enjoing a meal at La Perla again soon. Higher price range.
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Premiata Pizzeria della Motta | Piazza della Motta 1, Varese (image below)
Possibly my favorite pizza in town, though I know it’s not the only good place for pizza. Medium-low price range.
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Pizzeria Fradiavolo | Via G. Donizetti 6, Varese (image below)
Several locations around Italy, so a chain of sorts. Pizzas (Neapolitan style, both classic and creative ones) are the main thing here, plus a few simple appetizers and a couple of dessert. Everything is excellent. Medium-low price range.
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Officina dell’Hamburger | Via Veratti 11, Varese (images below)
Amazing burgers (and more), very American style but with a touch of Italy thrown in to round things out. And that’s the way it should be. If you think the two burgers in the photos below are big, you should check out the others in the menu!
Photo on the right: the round ball in the center is a deep fried burrata, aka heaven!
Ambiance is airy and modern. Besides this one, they have three other locations within the Province.
Medium price range.
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The Scotsman Pub | Via G. Garibaldi 25, Varese (images below)
If you are in the mood for pub food with a strong Scottish/British influence and some serious ales, this is the place for you. Because even in Italy sometimes we crave something different. Save room for dessert, too! Medium price range.
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Sweet Tea Time | Via S. Silvestro 70, Varese (images below)
This light and airy tea room and patisserie is a lovely nod to Bridgerton and very Instagramable. You can have breakfast, a light lunch and afternoon tea here. I am not fond of cupcakes, but theirs are oh-so-good: my favorite is the Peach and Lavender. They also come in mini sizes, a bite and it’s gone. Other classic Italian mini desserts & pastries also available, as well a wonderful assortment of tea. This has become a go-to place for my friends and I. Best to call for reservations as they are always busy, especially on weekends. Convenient parking right across the street. Medium price range.
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Pasticceria C’est La Vie | Via Carlo Croce 4, Varese (images below)
A small but airy and intimate space in the center of town is the location of this patisserie. Some classic Italian pastries and desserts with a touch of French. Viennoiserie for breakfast, as well as an assortment of macarons. Plus seasonal Italian specialties of course. Really excellent.
No espresso machine, so for that you can take a short walk to around the corner.
Medium-high price range.
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Pasticceria Pirola | Via Carlo Giuseppe Veratti 10, Varese – (images below)
This patisserie is a tradition as they have been around since 1963. They feature all the classic Italian pastries, cakes etc., including the traditional and local Dolce Varese (top right in the images below), as well as some more contemporary ones. A popular go-to place also for a quick lunch and aperitivo, they also offer event catering. They have catered many of my family’s events. Indoor and outdoor seating areas right in the center of town. Medium-high price range.
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SURROUNDING AREA WITHIN VARESE PROVINCE
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Ristorante Crotto Valtellina | Via Fiume 11, Malnate (Va) (images below, and full blog post here)
This place has been around a long time and it is currently in its third generation, with the kitchen being managed by a rather renowned chef in Italy: Roberto Valbuzzi, also known on TV and IG as @notordinarychef
Excellent food in a unique ambiance that includes a grotto, and amazing wine list. The kitchen still serves the classic dishes of the Valtellina tradition (an Alpine valley just slightly north of Varese), but with a slightly updated twist, as well as chef Roberto’s many other creations. Higher price range.
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Osteria degli Angeli | Via Brusa 5, Malnate (Va) (images below)
Upscale Italian food in a soft ambiance and with an excellent wine list. I have only been once and can’t wait to return. They have been at this location for just over 20 years, but they are currently restoring a new location and will be moving there within a year or so. Higher price range.
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Osteria Galli | Via Roma 4, Cantello (Va) (images below)
A young team serving dishes from the local Italian tradition that follow the seasons in a pleasant and rustic ambiance, and good wines. I have been twice already and look forward to going back.
Medium price range.
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ll Sole di Ranco | Piazza Venezia 5, Ranco (Va) (images below)
Founded in 1850, it’s safe to say this restaurant has been in the Brovelli family for a few generations. My family and I have been several times and I keep seeing photos of their food posted by friends on social media. It has been one of the best restaurants in the area consistently for years.
Located in a tiny village right on Lake Maggiore, this restaurant offers both indoor and patio dining in the garden overlooking the lake. So not just good food and good wine, but spectacular location and views. It’s a boutique hotel, too, so you can stay there as well if you like.
Higher price range.
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Lo Storico Café | Via A. Costa 2 (at corner with Via Pegoraro), Gallarate (Va) (images below)
This tiny little café is a gem. I went there for lunch with friends one day and they offer a lower-priced lunch menu. The price may have been low, but the quality high. Everything was home-made and fresh. The friend that suggested it said that she has also been there several times for dinner and aperitivo, as well as tried their catering, and this husband and wife team do an amazing job. The place is small and gets really busy, so give them a call before going.
Low price range at lunch, likely medium at dinner.
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Gigi Pizza | Via Sacro Monte 4B, Induno Olona (Va)
This tiny little pizzeria is not at all fancy in appearance, but the pizza is amazing. One of my chef friends took me there and it was as good as she said. Instead of single pizzas, we ordered their pizza by “meter”, selecting half meter (50 cm / 1 & 1/2 feet) with two different sets of toppings so we could share. Sooo good! They also offer excellent gluten free options, and they deliver!
Lower price range.
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Pizzeria Cavour | Via Matteotti 11, Casciago (Va) (images below)
This is my go-to pizza place when I’m at my Mum’s house in Italy. They are nearby, pizzas are wonderful, prices are on the lower end of the spectrum, and they deliver. They also offers other items (some require 24 hours notice) so take a look.
Take out and delivery only.
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Pasticceria Cardy | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 57, Gavirate (Va) (images below).
Wonderful patisserie in downtown Gavirate, they offer some Italian classics in contemporary style. We have enjoyed everything we bought from them, and will certainly keep stopping by. Medium price range.
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Gelateria Il Muretto | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 89, Gavirate (Va) (images below)
Essentially next door to the patisserie listed above. This is one of my very favorite ice cream shops in the area and feature a wonderful selection of ice cream flavors: classic ones, of course, but many more creative ones, which I favor. They are also a bar (coffee shop) and have some patisserie items like breakfast pastries, brioches et such, and also create wonderful ice cream cakes. Airy and bright interior with some outdoor seating as well. Medium price range.
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JUST THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER: IN NEARBY LUGANO, CANTON TICINO, SWITZERLAND
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Historic Grand Café Al Porto | Via Pessina 3, Lugano (Ti), CH (images below)
This is our go-to place whenever we visit nearby Lugano, which is just over the Swiss border nearest to us, about 45 minutes drive away, let’s say 1 hour if you consider parking. It is a historic café, restaurant and patisserie. The interiors are stunning and I especially love their bakery. If you click on the link it will take you to a full and photo rich blog post where I tell you the story and offer a full review.
If you are visiting Lugano, it’s not to be missed. Higher price range.
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EATERIES ON MY “GO CHECK THIS OUT” LIST FOR NEXT TRIP
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Ristorante La Terrazza | Via Merano 4, Varese (images below)
I have been hearing about this for a while from a friend, and when I finally had a look I thought: “Oh yes, this looks scrumptious!”
Clearly a higher end place, both in style of food and price.
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Caffé del Borducan | Via Beata Caterina Moriggi 43 | Varese (images below)
This is another historic café that is also a boutique hotel and restaurant in a stunning spot. It is located within the medieval village of Santa Maria del Monte (Sacro Monte di Varese, a UNESCO heritage site), and the views from up there span Varese and surrounding towns, at least three lakes, the Swiss Alps and – on really clear days, you can see all the way to Milano.
Incredibly enough, I have only stopped into their little shop-café once, during one of our many hikes up to Sacro Monte (you can drive all the way, too, and park not too far away).
Borducan is an exquisite space in the Liberty style that is typical of the old villas of the area and, to be honest, the architecture and design are my main reasons for wanting to go back for a fuller experience. The food looks good, too, from the photos, so I am hopeful, but I will only know after I have been.
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Locanda Cá Dei Santi | Via Molini Trotti 7, Varese (images below)
This is one of my nephew Massimo’s recommendations.
Besides a restaurant-bistro, the Locanda (locanda is the Italian word for inn) is also a boutique hotel with annexed spa. Cá dei Santi, which means to House of the Saints, used to be an old mill from the 1300. It has been carefully renovated, maintaining many of the original features, including some frescos. It is family operated and Chef Luca has taken over the kitchen in 2022.
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Corte dei Brut | Via al Lago 21, Gavirate (Va) (sorry I was unable to find usable photos for this)
This is also one of my nephew Massimo’s recommendations.
From the (not so good) images I see on Google and on their Instagram, this restaurant and small hotel looks quaint and rustic in the style of the area, features some lovely courtyard dining, a piano and fireplace. My nephew tells me the food is also excellent, so I look forward to experiencing it all on my next trip over.
Mista – Patisserie, Câfé, Boulângerie | Via Novara 2, Gallarate (sorry no viable photos for this either)
They popped up on my Instagram stream just a few days before I flew back to California, so I have not yet had a chance to visit this new bakery, but it is at the top of my list for next trip.
Two friends who live in Gallarate and had a chance to pop in for a quick lunch told me it’s really good, and I can easily believe that just from the images. I may have to get myself a pied-a-terre next door!
They feature only reels on their Instagram, hardly any images at all on FB, and though their website is stunning and very modern, there are no images I could screenshot to show you (with credit). I will take my own pics when I visit next time. In the meantime, browse and drool.
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This conclude my list for now. By all means these are not the only good eateries in the area, just the ones I have been to recently and I am happy to recommend. More to come as I return and explore more.
Just as a gentle reminder: most restaurants in Italy appreciate reservations. Some require it, either because of the way they are organized, or because they are super busy. And a quick call takes no time or energy. As a former restaurateur and chef myself I am also recommending that you be considerate and be on time. If you need to cancel, that is fine, stuff happens. Just avoid not showing up without notification.
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I no longer feature single restaurant/eatery or even shops posts because – excepting those multi-generational family businesses – so many of them shift, change or even close at the speed of light. I do all that work and then have to delete the post within a couple of years. No, thank you.
Groupings like these are more interesting for you and much easier to manage for me.
If a new place of notice shows up and is good, I am happy to add them. And it is equally easy to remove one should they drop in quality or close.
I hope you have enjoyed this list and that it will help you eat well in your explorations of Northern Italy. To help you even further, I have put it all into a new PDF e-book I created and you can download it for free by clicking on the image-link below. You can save it on your devices and take it with you wherever you go.
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Buon Appetito!
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