La Lanterna (Bellagio)
*Note: some restaurants in Bellagio (and Lake Como in general) are only open seasonally. Please make sure to check that the restaurant is actually open before going!
One of the most beautiful things about the town of Bellagio is the countless shops and restaurants scattered throughout its steep alleyways and staircases. Many family-owned businesses have been operating here for years, and each one has its own unique charm and specialty that they offer to visitors.
La Lanterna is a restaurant that focuses on traditional Italian and Mediterranean dishes. More specifically, they are known for their pasta, and visitors come from all over to try it. Another unique aspect of the restaurant is the countless painted bottles throughout the interior. While some are painted on normal wine bottles, many are flattened and hung up on the wall like paddles, giving each bottle a unique space for local artists to work on and display for guests. The hand painted bottles are for sale, and they are a popular souvenir for customers to bring home.
It is worth noting that due to the seasonal nature of the restaurant, the menu may vary slightly from time to time based on the availability of ingredients. While we don’t remember the exact name of the pasta pictured below, everyone in our group chose to get this item as it was highly recommended by our waiter. It is an olive oil based pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil on top. It sounds incredibly simple, and indeed it is. The taste is subtle, yet complex with notes of basil and tomatoes bringing every bite to a pleasant finishing taste. The tagliatelle noodles are fresh and have the taste of pasta made in Italy, which is explained more below.
We also recommend the bruschette as an appetizer, especially if you are sharing. It is a deliciously toasted bread that comes with burrata and fresh tomatoes. Emphasis on the fresh; everything here is cooked with the highest quality ingredients, and you can taste the difference from most American-style pastas as a result. This is due to the different cooking processes in both countries according to some Italian locals. Italian pastas are usually made in-house at restaurants and use fresher ingredients in comparison to American factories that produce pasta en masse. We were also told that some Italian pasta makers cut their noodles with bronze blades, which ultimately affects the overall sauce absorption and therefore the overall taste.
Lastly, if you enjoy wine we highly recommend their red wines. La Lanterna makes certain wines in-house and they are a unique option to try. While we are no wine experts, the smell and consistency of our red was sweet and complex, and the taste was somehow “fresher” than store-bought wines. It pairs amazingly with the pasta and bread and you cannot go wrong with the waiter’s recommendation.
La Lanterna is a charming restaurant that emphasizes high quality ingredients and an alluring Italian aesthetic. Whether you enjoy pastas or salads or just want to try the wine, La Lanterna is a great and worthy choice for your next meal.
