Antica Osteria Il Monte Rosso

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Antica Osteria Il Monte Rosso | Verbania | Classic Italian on Lake Maggiore

Antica Osteria Il Monte Rosso, Verbania

On the shores of Lake Maggiore, Antica Osteria Il Monte Rosso has been a fixture since 1854, making it one of the oldest osterie in Italy. After years of quiet, it was revived in 2011 by Cinzia and Stefano, owners of the nearby Estremadura Café, who set out to recapture its original warmth and character.

The dining room is furnished with pieces from the early 1900s to the 1930s — vintage down to the table settings. The manners, the owners say, are from a more courteous era. But the kitchen is thoroughly modern: an induction cooktop is fully visible from the dining room, and guests can choose a table directly in front of it to watch the chefs at work.

Chef Salvatore Tilotta leads the kitchen, bringing experience from the Hotel Danieli in Venice, the Mandarin Oriental in London, and the Armani restaurant in Milan. He joined the osteria in 2017. The menu is built around the traditions of the region, presented with a contemporary touch. Seasonality and freshness are the guiding principles, with a focus on classic cuisine and country cooking. A tasting menu of the lake is available.

The wine cellar holds around 800 labels, sourced from across Italy and France, with Piedmontese bottles taking pride of place. The restaurant holds a Michelin recommendation, a recognition that reflects the precision of the cooking and the care in the cellar.

The atmosphere is cordial and unhurried. The osteria is AIC-certified for celiac needs and attentive to all dietary requirements, including vegan and vegetarian.