A Culinary Journey Around the Lake

Lake Garda offers a rich tapestry of culinary experiences, from traditional trattorias to gourmet restaurants. The region’s cuisine is deeply rooted in local traditions, featuring fresh lake fish, handcrafted pasta, and renowned wines.

View Our Boat Tours

Relax, comfort & more

Bigoli with sardines, Coregone grilled whitefish, pike in sauce

Lake fish

The lake’s bounty provides an array of dishes:

  • Grilled whitefish (lavarello)

  • Pike in sauce (luccio in salsa)

  • Bigoli with sardines (bigoli con le sarde)

  • Risotto with tench (risotto alla tinca)

  • Lake fish soup (zuppa di pesce di lago)

Pasta and Polenta Traditions

Local specialties include:

  • Tortellini di Valeggio: handmade pasta filled with meat, served with butter and sage.
  • Polenta Carbonèra: a hearty dish combining polenta with cheese and salami.

Cheeses and Meats

A traditional dish from Verona, bollito con pearà features tender boiled meats served with a rich bread and black pepper sauce.
Hearty and flavorful, it’s especially popular in colder months and often found in trattorias around Lake Garda.
Once humble peasant food, it’s now a true symbol of Veronese culinary tradition.

Sweet Treats

Indulge in local desserts:

  • Fugassa gardesana: a sweet focaccia unique to the Lake Garda area.
  • Persicata: a peach-based jelly, traditional to the Lombard shore.

Wine and Olive Oil

The surrounding hills produce exceptional wines:

  • Lugana DOC: A crisp white wine from the southern lake area.
  • Bardolino and Chiaretto: Light red and rosé wines from the eastern shores.

Complementing the cuisine is the renowned Garda DOP olive oil, known for its delicate flavor.

From lakeside dining to rustic agriturismi, options abound:

  • Michelin-starred restaurants: offering innovative takes on traditional dishes.

  • Family-run trattorias: serving time-honored recipes.

  • Wine cellars and tasting rooms: providing local wine and olive oil tastings.

Embark on a gastronomic adventure around Lake Garda, where each meal tells a story of tradition, passion, and local flavors.

Are You a Restaurant on Lake Garda?

Would you like your restaurant to be featured on Garda Top Travel?
We’re always looking for local culinary gems to share with our growing audience of food lovers and travelers.

👉 Get in touch to showcase your dishes, tell your story, and attract new guests from all over the world.

📩 Contact Us to apply and join our curated selection of Garda’s best food experiences!