fye_maithaiIt’s all in the details in Italy—from fine art to fine dining, not a thing is left unembellished
Como’s Got More Than Clooney
Como
I’d like to call myself a Como local since my family and I have been coming here for years now so we have tried and tested almost all the places in town! After all this, I really have to say that Como has definitely got more than just George Clooney! 😝
Updated 3 years ago
For heavenly fresh bread, baked goods and afternoon tea snacks head over to my favorite bakery in all of Como! The Italian women behind the bread counter are usually very patient with explaining each flavor of the goodies in the bakery, but if in doubt just point to the ones that look most delicious! I HIGHLY recommend ordering... 💕Nuvola: fluffy apricot brioche bread that makes you feel like you’re eating clouds smeared with apricot jam (MY FAVE) 💕Circular cinnamon afternoon snack: small little sandwich biscuit that doesn’t look that appealing but tastes beyond yummy 💕Pistachio Droplet afternoon snack: the most green snack on the counter
- +39 031 264159
Via Pietro Boldoni, 15, 22100 Como CO, Italy
Aka Como Cathedral NOTE: 🎄During Christmas this whole piazza/square is projected with Christmasy animation that is soooo magical 😍 This Gothic style 18th century (completed) cathedral is the heart of Como Town. The facade has hints of Romanesque Renaissance influence and consists of statues of Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger who were both natives of Como. Yes, touristy I know, but also a must when in Como because it really is so beautiful! Even if you don’t walk inside, the Duomo Piazza right outside of it is full of cafes that allows you to sip on your favorite drink and admire the beautiful facade of the Cathedral (the service is quite slow because it’s probably the most touristy part of the town). Worth a visit to take photos and admire the beautiful architectural features. But you probably don’t have to go out of your way to find it because you’ll end up bumping into it anyway whilst you’re walking around!
- +39 031 331 2275
Piazza del Duomo, 22100 Como CO, Italy
2
Fresh pasta heaven 😇 Not only do they do amazing fresh pasta including raviolis and all the other interesting pastas I don’t know the name of, you can also buy lots of sauces and pantry ingredients here! I.Love. Squid Ink. (Seppia Nero) 🦑 I usually buy my squid ink here where the price is according to the weight. Either you buy a little bit and they give it to you in a small plastic takeaway cup, or ask for a huge jar you can keep for ages in the freezer!
- +39 031 260583
Via Francesco Muralto, 11, 22100 Como CO, Italy
3
Rino aka TRUFFLE HEAVEN 😍 This cute little Tuscan restaurant is popular amongst tourists and locals. The ambience is cute for a cozy romantic date or also for a huge family gathering in a traditional Italian setting amongst tables dotted with candles. With a very honest menu that even labels dishes that use frozen produce, Rino’s menu does not disappoint. I find that any dish with truffle is absolutely soul fulfilling 😇 But if you do want my recs, I’d say go for the beef carpaccio with slithers of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and truffle shavings, and the fresh truffle pasta! For all the truffle lovers out there, you’re welcome 😉 *Best to book in case it’s full, it’s always a known favorite!
- +39 031 273028
Via Vitani, 3/5, 22100 Como CO, Italy
#1 The Grocery Triangle (This cute little piazza/square is where I go to get all my groceries done in town!) 🐙🐠🦑🐟🦞🦀🦐 All the fresh fish you need to cook an amazing meal! If you’re lucky you’ll be able to get hold if some fresh red prawns! 😍 They also serve ready cooked food if you feel like seafood for lunch! Super nice staff who even gave me a free bottle of water when I was chocking on their delicious calamari 👍🏼
- +39 031 267414
Via Francesco Muralto, 35, 22100 Como CO, Italy
#2 Grocery Triangle (To the right of the shop is a really cute walkway that is sometimes lined with fairy lights!) 🧀🥛🥐🥖🍞🍖 Literally translated as “The Dairy Shop” but apart from delicious cheese they also sell amazing cold cuts! My family and I have been coming here for years and, as one of the few Asians who buy fresh produce to eat at home in Como, they recognize us instantly! The man behind the counter is always so patient and even though there is a language barrier, we tend to us the language of pointing and smiling! My fave thing to get is their mortadella and Parma ham which they thinly slice in front of you and they can also vacuum seal it for you!
- +39 031 241638
Via Francesco Muralto, 39, 22100 Como CO, Italy
#3 Grocery Triangle 🍎🍐🍉🍇🍊🍓🍋🥑🍆🍑 Fresh fruit and nuts! Seasonal fruits are super delicious here! Very friendly even if we can’t communicate in the same language. Once again, if you don’t speak Italian just smile and point away! 👌🏼
- +39 031 261294
Via Francesco Muralto, 45, 22100 Como CO, Italy
3
NOTE: Only open on certain days!!! If you can’t find what you’re looking for in my Grocery Triangle, head over here for a wide selection of fresh groceries! Great seafood, great fruit, yummy cold cuts... but they don’t speak English 😁 Still worth a stroll if you love food and want to experience real Italian markets!
Via Giuseppe Sirtori, 1, 22100 Como CO, Italy
3
MY FAVE PANNA COTTA IN THE WORLD IS HERE 😍 The high ceiling and the antique organ at the back of the room gives away the fact that this restaurant used to be a small little church. If you dine in the main room you’ll feel as if you’re dining in a church but the small rooms to the sides are more cozy and romantic. Take your pick! The food is cooked in traditional Sardinian style where you feel like it’s quite home cooked however the food is more upgraded yet not superfluous like most fine dining restaurants. You’ll be greeted with a glass of complementary champagne paired with crispy thin bread (a traditional ‘music paper’ bread from the island of Sardinia) that’s sprinkled with salt and drizzled with their own special olive oil which, in my opinion, is a great start 🤤 Everything I’ve ordered on the menu so far is super delicious, but noteworthy dishes are: 💕Mash potato with Bottarga: if you don’t like fishy stuff don’t go for this. But this dish is just so addicting (paper thin slices of salty Bottarga melts away in your mouth as the creamy mash potato completes the dish) if you love seafood! 💕 Rack of Lamb: tender, juicy, wholesome 💕Panna Cotta: just order it. Please. It will make your life a lot more beautiful and it will also change your opinion of Panna Cotta forever 😍 Alberto and his sister Silvana always warmly welcome their guests into the restaurant as if guests are their friends and the restaurant their home. If you have a chance, tell them a Thai girl with the last name Maithai recommended this place to you and you’ll probably be able to buy a bottle of their heavenly olive oil 😝
- +39 031 262703
Via Armando Diaz, 40, 22100 Como CO, Italy
2
Fine dining with amazing quality food and presentation that would put PowerPoint to shame! Also, it won’t leave your wallet too empty! 😉 Although the name is sure a strange one, I came here just to try it out because the menu looked interesting. I was not disappointed. The chefs allow Italy’s seasonal produce to shine through all the dishes and they also present them in reaaally nice dishes. The atmosphere is also really cute and cozy with attentive staff smiling and honestly recommending you their favorite dishes. If you’re looking for a reasonably priced fine dining experience for your date, look no further!
Via Armando Diaz, 54, 22100 Como CO, Italy
2
This borderline dodgy looking Napoletana pizza place looks like somewhere you end up when you’re on a night out with the girls and you’re absolutely smashed but still conscious enough to be hungry 🤷🏻♀️ BUT if you want takeaway pizza this is the place! I was skeptical at first but honestly just drop all your prejudices and try it! They even won an award for one of the best pizza in a competition! *Beware though, they only serve the circular pizzas for lunch and dinner, so if you go at a random time you’ll only get the squared sliced pizzas which are okay but not as good as the whole pizza!!
- +39 031 267522
Via Armando Diaz, 41, 22100 Como CO, Italy
2
🍰 Last year I was desperately looking for a birthday cake for my friend that would wink at me and scream “take me home”! Luckily, I came across this tiny bakery that did the best birthday cakes in Como! The styles were all very modern and colourful but most of all, it was so tasty! The staff were so sweet and they managed to put together a customized cake (similar to the second photo) for me overnight! My friend absolutely loved it!😊
- +39 347 764 5694
Via Vitani, 7, 22100 Como CO, Italy
3
Another family favorite, Villa d’Este is truly treat! Definitely more on the expensive side, this private hotel is one of the best hotels on the lake. Apart from the stunning views of the lake that you can admire from beneath the cool shade of the trees, you can also enjoy a very delightful meal here! Fresh pasta here is out of this world and the fish is as fresh as it can get! The menu keeps changing so ask the waitress for their recs! *NOTE: make sure to call and book in advance, sometimes they’re funny with letting outside guests in Memory of summer 2016: My family and I were having lunch here when suddenly my sister goes “omg that laugh. It’s Chrissy Teigan.” As we all turned toward that noise we saw a very happy John Legend and Chrissy Teigan having lunch together with their friends. Anyway, after their meal my brother managed to get past John Legend’s bodyguards and took a selfie with him! My only regret now is that I didn’t know how funny and amazing Chrissy Teigan was back then or else I would have struck up a convo! If she ever reads this I just wanna say, STAY AMAZING AND IF YOU COME TO BKK AGAIN I CAN BE YOUR FOOD GUIDE! 💕
- +39 031 3481
Via Regina, 40, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
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