The story
Osteria del Borgo calls itself a “ristorante con le braghe corte” – a restaurant that takes its cooking seriously but doesn't take itself too seriously. Located just steps from the Castello di Galliate, a short drive from Novara, this intimate spot is the domain of Federico Libretti. For eighteen years, Federico has been the cook, the host, the talker, and the factotum, cooking what he likes. The result is a warm, no-frills place where the kitchen does the talking.
The restaurant’s approach to Italian Contemporary cuisine is rooted in respect for tradition, leavened with a healthy dose of creative liberty. The menu changes with the seasons and, as they put it, with the chef’s mood. You might find classics like Burgundy snails, or a more inventive Bigoli cacio e pepe with red shrimp tartare. The legendary “Costoletta in crosta di grissini” – a cutlet in a grissini crust – is a house staple. The tone is set by the menu’s own disclaimer: “No tricks, only good food.”
This honest, technically skilled cooking has earned Osteria del Borgo a Michelin recommendation. The recognition feels natural for a place that uses carefully selected, often local ingredients and makes everything in-house. The atmosphere matches the food: a few tables, mismatched chairs, and the sounds of conversation and laughter mixing with the smells from the kitchen.
The menu is divided into playful sections – “Sfiziosità…” (appetizers), “Entrate…” (entrées), “Proseguendo…” (continuing with pasta), and “Da non perdere…” (not to be missed). Dishes like the raw ombrina with fennel and citrus salad sit alongside a tender veal with soft tonnato sauce. The pasta is homemade, from the “Plin” alla piemontese to the potato gnocchi with eggplant cream and burrata. A tasting menu is available, and the chef’s dessert fantasy is a highlight.
The restaurant is small, so booking is recommended. It’s the kind of place where you bring your appetite and leave the rest to them.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
Location
Facebook
Instagram