Oggi siamo stati a Varenna ed abbiamo scelto di mangiare al ristorante Al prato. Servizio eccellente in considerazione dell’estrema gentilezza. Il cibo di estrema qualità: abbiamo preso il risotto Carnalori dop con barbabietola e tartare di gambero rosso, stracciatella e granella di pistacchio davvero splendidamente impiattato e dal gusto squisito. Di secondo abbiamo preso il branzino con patate e pinoli: buonissimo e con una bellissima decorazione. Il tutto accompagnato da un ottimo prosecco che ci veniva servito ogni volta che il personale ci portava le pietanze. Abbiamo concluso con due gustosi dolci: carpaccio di ananas e tortino al cioccolato. Lo consigliamo vivamente visto anche che il ristorante è aperto tutto l’anno.

Esperienza grandiosa. Non avevamo prenotato, abbiamo trovato un tavolo, siamo stati serviti subito con un benvenuto della cucina. Abbiamo ordini in tempi brevi e i piatti sono arrivati con altrettanta velocità nonostante il locale pieno. Bevuto del buon vino, due primi "locali" con pesce del lago, deliziosi! Poi abbiamo provato il dessert, una pannacotta alla lavanda, scenica, preziosa, gustosissima e veramente unica. Speso poco, rispetto alle aspettative. Il personale simpaticissimo e il proprietario cordiale e molto ospitale. Una giornata solare in un posto semplice ma unico. Il ristorante Al Prato é un gioiellino dentro il portagioie. Passate anche voi!

Varenna... piccolo borgo sul lago che non finisce mai di incantarmi. Dopo la romantica passeggiata a bordo lago in compagnia della persona più cara e una infinita di foto scattate ci guardiamo in torno, tra i colori delle fioriture e tutte le voci del mondo che si incontrano, per cercare un buon ristorante dove pranzare. La scelta è il Prato che neanche il tempo di sederci ed ordinare e tutti i tavoli si sono riempiti. Personale molto cortese, professionale, simpatico. Abbiamo scelto due primi, due bicchieri di bollicine (prosecco e franciacorta) il dolce un tiramisù favoloso e un caffè. Tutto ottimo Lo consiglio

Tutto ciò che abbiamo assaggiato era ottimo... inoltre il personale è molto gentile e accogliente, c'è una bella atmosfera. Complimenti e grazie ancora

Un ottimo ristorante situato vicino al centro di Varenna. Giovanni il proprietario saprà accoglierti nel suo locale e farti sentire come a casa ascoltando le tue esigenze. Cucina tipica mediterranea e del posto, buonissimi i piatto a base di pesce. È preferibile però prenotarsi prima.

Sempre una conferma, ho mangiato qui per la befana, piatti perfetti e equilibrati. Il prezzo é corretto per la qualità e il servizio, la posizione é perfetta anche se non si vede il lago é in un antro del paese molto affascinante.

Come sempre pranzare Al Prato è sempre un esperienza unica per l'eccellenza dei piatti proposti ma anche e soprattutto per la location e la cortesia, la professionalità e la simpatia del proprietario e di tutto lo staff. Consigliatissimo.

Ottimo ristorante che offre piatti di lago, di mare e di terra. Piatti ricercati e molto ben presentati senza tradire il gusto tradizionale. Servizio caloroso ma non invadente. Locale accogliente e per nulla caotico.

Una deliziosa scoperta. Camminando tra le vie di Varenna abbiamo notato un incantevole angolo riservato e elegante. Abbiamo apprezzato il menù ricercato che propone piatti freschi con ingredienti del territorio, per niente scontato e soprattutto dal gusto autentico e non turistico. Il personale cortese e preparato. Il servizio curato ed elegante. Se andate dalle parti di Varenna e volete regalarvi un esperienza di vero piacere passate a trovarli.

Damien Ricono

We had lunch yesterday and the food was absolutely amazing. The dish of the day was black pasta with prawns. The starter mixed cheese and charcuterie was very good too not to mention the the panacotta desert! Thks for the experience. Highly recommended.

bilgola1

In over 4 decades of travelling to Italy, this is, without doubt, my absolute favourite restaurant in all of Italy. We leave each time with wonderful memories, and when we return the meal surpasses those memories. It’s that good. Every single bite. Great host and staff, whose job I’m sure is made so very easy by the magnificent kitchen. Do yourself a favour. If at all possible eat here once before you die 😀

Francesco Astegiano

Great on all aspects, the food Is local, well prepared and properly explained when served. Everything was byeond good, you could feel a special touch on both the tagliatelle and the lasagna. A good wine and very nice service makes this place the one not to miss in Varenna. Thank you for a wonderful evening.

X. X.

The lamb chops were sooo good!! The bread they served was also fresh and delicious — I especially loved the green one, maybe it had pistachio in it. I’ll definitely visit this restaurant again if I come back to Varenna!

Paul Varrieur

This restaurant is one of, if not the best restaurants in Varenna. The food was prepared perfectly and presentation was breathtaking. Service excellent. And very reasonably priced

KJ J

I was super nervous that I wouldn’t be able to get a table as they don’t accept reservations online or by phone. For dinner, you can secure a reservation for a €100+ cash deposit. I arrived at exactly noon for lunch and despite their signage stating that they were full and stanchions blocking entry, I called over the host and asked for a table for two. He sat us immediately. Despite the restaurant being rather empty, the host did cherry pick who he allowed to dine there. I couldn’t really tell what the requirements were but he seemed to choose tourists that weren’t dressed like tourists, those that greeted him, and those with small parties. If a crowd formed, he would deny everyone lined up. Despite the reviews about the host and staff, they treated us incredibly well, stopping by multiple times to check in and ensure we were enjoying our meals. The food was also good! I got the lamp chops which i’d recommend. If you can’t get in for dinner, try lunch! I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re visiting Varenna.

Cromulent Records

Got a table towards the end of lunch without a reservation and it was one of the best (if not best) meals of the trip. The pasta was amazing, with the flavors of the cheese perfectly shining through. Eggplant Parmesan was incredible; everything about it felt elevated. Affogato was a delicious end to the meal. While we didn't need to put down a 100 Euro deposit for a reservation, I wouldn't hesitate to do it. This place is definitely worth it!

Denise Lee

We tried the grilled fish with seafood soup (£30), and lamb chops (£28). Both were super delicious! Lamb was cooked perfectly with no gamey taste. Came with complimentary appetizer and bread. No views of the lake in this area. Charge of service £3/pax.

Grace Tan

This was the best meal we had in Varenna. Delicious food, well plated and beautifully presented. It was a wonderful way to cap off our time at Lake Como. I tried to make a reservation before we arrived but wasn’t successful. It was worth stopping by early in our stay in Varenna and holding a table with a 100 euro deposit which was returned to me when we dined at the restaurant.

Linda Hardaker

You must make a reservation or be prepared to be disappointed and very very sad as this has to be the best dining experience in Varenna. Each dish was a work of art, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor, showcasing the chef’s creativity and precision. The tartare with truffle was a real standout dish for me. I love that the staff keep checking in to make sure everything is ok, but not intrusive.

Theofficelinebacker

While great restaurants are surprisingly lacking in the golden triangle of Lake Como, this one is a true gem. Most restaurants in this area seem to cater to the crowds, but this slice of paradise focuses on service, presentation and quality. This is reflected in their limited hours for lunch and dinner, only doing one turn for a limited number of seats. All courses were equally delicious (even the complementary pre-app), so make sure to get something for every course. We were staying in Bellagio, and taking the ferry over to Varenna for dinner was well worth it. Not sure how often we anticipate coming to Lake Como, but this is a must stop the next time we’re here!

+4

Olay Yu

I visited the same restaurant twice, and both experiences made me appreciate it more. ### First Visit From the start, the bread selection stood out. The purple bread surprised me with an intense sesame flavor and a hint of nuts inside—I totally expected taro or sweet potato at first. Both the wheat and white bread options were also delicious, making me want to try baking bread at home. We began with ravioli filled with cheese. The filling was rich and flavorful but not oily, so it didn’t feel overly heavy. The accompanying mushrooms and sauce partnered perfectly with the ravioli, making this dish a clear favorite. Next came chicken with potato. The potatoes were exceptionally good and caught me off guard with how tasty they were. The chicken, cut into four portions, was soft, juicy, and tender—the meat easily separated from the bone and the cartilage was a treat. For dessert, we tried the tiramisu. The cream was impressively light and fluffy, but the traditional finger biscuit was swapped out for sponge cake, which wasn’t really to my taste, though it was still decent. ### Second Visit This time, we received an appetizer of fish salad, which paired incredibly well with the bread. We ordered beef tartare, ink seafood pasta, and grilled fish. I’d been eyeing the beef tartare since my last visit. Unlike Korean yukhoe (usually thinly sliced), this tartare was minced, offering a different texture. The truffle butter on top was a revelation, especially when piled onto the crispy bread—an absolute flavor bomb. Having so much freshly sliced truffle was new for me; it takes some chewing to fully release the flavor, which was interesting. The grilled fish—especially the pink trout—was tender, nutty, and savory. A minor downside was not remembering all the types of fish served, and a few pieces had small bones. The ink seafood pasta was also a highlight. The cheese complemented the pasta, the shrimp tasted super fresh, and the yellow pepper and tomato on the side added nice bursts of flavor. Both experiences left me impressed and eager to return. There’s genuine skill and creativity in every dish, with standout bread and a great balance of flavors across the menu. If you’re into fresh, flavorful food, this place is definitely worth revisiting.

+6

Angela Yang

Loved the food!! Beautiful presentation. Hard to get a seat- go in person to reserve seats for next few days. We went at lunch when they just opened and got seats and amazing service.

+3

Rachel Eng Li Wen

One of the best meals we had in Italy, everything we ordered was a standout dish. Highly recommend the lake fish mains or the tasting platter which came with fish pâté, grilled fish and their smoked local speciality. We also enjoyed the lamb chops and porcini beef lasagna, which were plated wonderfully and packed full of flavour — even the sautéed veggies, potato gratin and small fruits on the side were top-notch! The pavlova and warmed peach cake with ice cream were the perfect sweet notes to end our meal. Really appreciate the service here too. The staff were so kind to seat us even though we arrived 30min before their closing time for lunch, and never rushed us through the meal even past their lunch opening hours. They remained friendly and attentive throughout! Thank you for a great meal here.

+3

Lei L.

This restaurant doesn’t accept reservations online or by phone. So upon arriving in the enchanting town of Varenna, I immediately left a €100 cash deposit in person to secure a dinner reservation for three nights later. When the evening finally arrived, we were completely blown away by the presentation and flavor of every dish. Service was friendly and attentive. The entire experience exceeded my already high expectations and was easily one of the finest Italian dining experiences I’ve ever had.

+3

Merry “Merrycyclist”

Sublime and spectacular. We shared the piping-hot melted tomme cheese and grilled vegetable starter. My husband devoured his gorgeous rib-eye steak while I had the sea bass. For dessert? A shared cheesecake topped with crumbled crisp meringue and perfect raspberries. We feel so well fed and cared for.

Gabriella E.

Lovely place and personnel! The presentation of the food was amazing and it was really delicious! The restaurant has a tradition in preparing home made deserts. I recommend making a reservation upfront, otherwise it won’t be possible to have a table.

Jaime T.

There is not much I can say about this place that have not been previously mentioned by others. This restaurant serves high quality, 5-star level dishes. The manager and staff were very friendly, accommodating, and constantly checked on our needs! Be sure to make a reservation as walk-ins are seldom entertained. This place is always fully booked because they pay close attention to serving high quality dishes! You will surely love it when you dine here!

+6

Shellie Ormerod

Hands down THE best food and best service of the Italy portion of our trip, which also included Venice and Verona. I’ve eaten at restaurants with 2 Michelin stars and am shocked this place doesn’t have at least one. I chose it for a very special birthday dinner for my father and could not have been more pleased with the food, service and overall experience. Be sure to reserve a table in advance as they fill up quickly. I’d give it 10 stars if it were an option.

Great on all aspects, the food Is local, well prepared and properly explained when served. Everything was byeond good, you could feel a special touch on both the tagliatelle and the lasagna. A good …

We had a wonderful dinner on Halloween at Al Prato . My fave was the grilled octopus on green bean cream - yum. Every dish was beautifully presented and delicious. Highly recommend and make sure t…

Wonderful restaurant. Service was warm and attentive. Food was delicious. Especially liked the eggplant parmesan. You need to stop by the restaurant to reserve that day.

Guiseppe was amazingly accommodating when we did not have reservations. The food was amazing and delicious. staff very attentive.

Al Prato is truly a wonderful restaurant! Situated on a quiet corner in Varenna, it offers truly unique dishes for all. Giovanni, Lorenzo, and Victor could not be more welcoming. With regard to …

Wonderful food and pleasant and profesional staff. The first course was clearly made with fresh pasta and delicious. The portions are good- so much that after a second course we couldn’t manage des…

Everything about this dining experience was wonderful. The food was exquisite, the wine was a great Amarone, the staff was attentive, friendly, and efficient. Al Prato is a must stop in Varenna!

Excellent food, service, and atmosphere. Located in a quiet area of Varenna, the chef owner greets guests and provides a menu and also daily specials. We went there twice during our stay because we…

Al Prato is on a quiet street just beyond the ancient port of Varenna. My wife and I have had the pleasure of dining here twice, on our recent stay in Varenna and five years ago. This restaurant do…

Abbiamo trovato questo ristorante passeggiando per il borgo. Il proprietario ed il personale sono cordiali e disponibile, i piatti sono preparati con ottime materie prime e sapientemente disposti per soddisfare sia l’occhio che il palato. Il conto, considerando la località turistica, non è eccessivo. Sicuramente ci torneremo!

Tess M

Aside from the food poisoning, it was a lovely experience. The host and waiters were so kind and helpful. Every course was beautifully presented on the plate, from decorative fruits to edible butterfly accents. Unfortunately, the lake fish ragú gave me food poisoning (yes, I’m sure it was the fish ragú as it was the only thing that I ate that the rest of my family didn’t that whole day). I thought it was strange that they added salmon in addition to the lake fish to the ragú—I’m not sure which one was contaminated, but one of them definitely made me quite sick. It was a very bad end to an overall enjoyable night.