Perched in the hillside above glittering Lake Como, Bellavista Ristorante serves up some of Northern Italy’s most authentic regional cuisine.
We visited the restaurant in celebration of our friend Deshawn’s 50th birthday, and it was an absolutely incredible day!
We started off with a beautiful private boat tour around Lake Como, where we gazed at the million-dollar mansions of Versace and George Clooney while sipping on Prosecco.
Next, it was over to the Funiculare for a fun-filled ride to the top of the hill. Plan on waiting in a long line if you are going to take the Funiculare, especially in the summer. While you are waiting, there is a little snack bar inside the station where you can grab an Aperol Spritz, coffee, or small snack.
Bellavista Ristorante, located in the town of Brunate, has some of the most stunning views of Lake Como. No matter whether you sit on the breezy outdoor patio, or inside in the lovely open air dining room, the views are just incredible.
We enjoyed a special menu for Deshawn’s birthday, which focused on the restaurant’s family recipes of regional cuisine and seasonal vegetables. Many are grown right here on the premises!
While you’re here, be sure to start with their appetizer selection of Italian cold-cuts and cheese, which are served with local jams. Since the dishes change with the season, there’s always something new to try.
During the winter months, you must sample the Pizzoccheri Della Valtellina. This regional comfort food is made with homemade wholemeal pasta, and served with a medley of hot cabbage, soft cubed potatoes, lots of butter and melted Casera cheese. It’s a must try when you are visiting the mountain region of Italy! (Check out our recipe for Pizzoccheri here)
Other standouts on the Bellavista Ristorante menu include the Porcini Mushroom Risotto with nuts and butter, and the Toma Cheese Tortellini with truffle cream and sausage. Both were delicious!
Main courses include Stewed Beef with Polenta; Rosemary-Lemon Chicken with Potato Cake, or the Local Whitefish in Orange Sauce with White Polenta. The whitefish is harvested right from Lake Como. Other popular fish dishes in this region include trout, perch and pike.
Wash your meal down with one of the restaurant’s 150 wines that hail from throughout Italy. Be sure to save room for their homemade desserts!
Bellavista Ristorante, Brunate, Lake Como, Italy. Piazza Bonacossa, 2 – 22034 Brunate (CO)
Phone: +39 (0)31221031
