Olona - "Da Venanzio" dal 1922

The story

Olona - Da Venanzio dal 1922: Four Generations of Lombardian Country Cooking in Varese

A Family Legacy Since 1922

In the small town of Induno Olona, just outside Varese, the Venanzio family has been welcoming guests for four generations. Their restaurant, Olona – “Da Venanzio” dal 1922, is a living testament to the enduring power of tradition. The family’s motto, “ristoratori da quattro generazioni,” speaks to a deep-rooted commitment that goes far beyond the kitchen. The dining room, with its outdoor seating for warmer months, radiates a quiet, unpretentious warmth — the kind of place where the food itself tells the story.

The Cuisine of Memory and Place

The kitchen here is firmly anchored in Lombardian country cooking, drawing on the rich culinary heritage of the region and the bounty of nearby Lake Maggiore. The menu changes seasonally, but certain dishes are constants. The “Lasagnetta al ragù della tradizione, Ricetta di Nonna Giuditta dal 1922” is a direct link to the family’s origins — a delicate pasta parcel filled with the same ragù that has been made for over a century. Equally cherished is the Chitarrina all’uovo al ragù della tradizione, another nonna-approved recipe.

Lake fish features prominently. A tartare of lightly smoked trout is brightened with kiwi gelée and mint, while the filetto di gardon del Maggiore appears in a sweet carpione with raisins and pine nuts. The “Lucioperca del Maggiore” (pike-perch) is served with maître d’hôtel butter and a pea tortino. For meat lovers, the “Petto d’anatra Canette de Barberie con albicocche caramellate” has been the restaurant’s “Buon Ricordo” specialty since 2023.

A Wine List to Match

The Venanzio family’s passion extends to the cellar. The wine list is carefully curated, with a notable selection of Italian and French labels. An aperitivo of Champagne Demay-Didier “Cuvée Venanzio” Brut or a Franciacorta sets the tone, and the menu itself offers thoughtful pairings. The restaurant’s tag as having an “Interesting Wine List” is well earned.

Recognized by Michelin

Olona – Da Venanzio has earned a Michelin Recommended distinction, a mark of the consistency and soul that the family brings to every meal. It is not a restaurant of flashy techniques, but one of honest, deeply flavorful cooking rooted in Lombardian tradition. Whether you come for lunch or dinner, you leave with the sense that you have shared a meal that matters — a meal that has been passed down through generations.