Hosteria del Platano

The story

Hosteria del Platano, Bellagio: Authentic Lake Como Country Cooking

A Storied Hosteria on Lake Como

Just a stone’s throw from the lake, in the quiet village of Fiumelatte, Hosteria del Platano has been a fixture since the mid‑1800s. Originally a post station for travelers on horseback heading toward Valtellina or Switzerland, the building once housed a blacksmith for horseshoes and always offered a hot meal and a fine glass of wine. Over the decades it evolved into an inn, a tavern, and even a tobacconist, but never closed its doors. Today, the same stone walls and original doors from that era still stand, carrying forward a tradition rooted in the culture of the lake’s villages.

Simone, Riccardo, and Norma have been running the kitchen and dining room together for more than ten years. Their cooking is straightforward, honest, and deeply connected to the place: “We offer healthy, homemade, slow, sometimes simple, but always authentic cuisine,” they write. The raw materials follow the rhythm of the seasons, and the flavours stay true to the territory.

Cuisine Inspired by Lake and Mountain

The menu, described as concise, draws equally from the lake and the surrounding mountains. Naturally, freshwater fish appears alongside meat and a few vegetarian options. Pasta is made in‑house. Among the most appreciated dishes is the rice with perch in the old‑fashioned way—a direct link to the lake’s culinary heritage.

The dining room is intentionally small; the team prefers to serve tables of no more than six guests to maintain quality and attention. For larger parties, a tasting menu arranged in advance ensures everything runs smoothly. The wine pairings, listed among the restaurant’s offerings, complement the honest, seasonal plates.

A Terrace Overlooking the Water

From the terrace, the view opens across Lake Como toward the tips of Varenna and Bellagio, with the Tremezzina in the distance and the mountains behind. It is a peaceful spot, perfect for a quiet escape. The atmosphere inside is warm and unpretentious, furnished with the same simplicity that defines the cooking.

Hosteria del Platano has earned a Michelin Recommendation for 2026, a recognition that speaks to its consistency and the genuine character of its country cooking. It remains what it has always been: a place where travellers—and locals—can sit down to a solid meal, a good glass of wine, and a memory worth keeping.