The story
Perched on the shores of Lake Ceresio in the small hamlet of Cressogno, Osteria La Lanterna is the project of Chef Pamela Paredi. She opened the restaurant in 2012 with a clear vision: to offer a kitchen that balances the warmth of a traditional osteria with the precision of fine dining. The setting—between lake and mountain, just a few kilometres from the Swiss border—mirrors the cooking itself: grounded in the Lombardy landscape yet refined in execution.
Pamela Paredi trained in Casargo and then cooked across Europe—London, Paris, Switzerland, Germany—before bringing that experience home. Today she describes her cooking as “traditional at base, but revisited and presented in a modern form.” The menu follows the seasons and draws on local, often km0 ingredients. “The territory is the same one from which we obtain the raw materials,” she says, “treated with creativity but always with full respect.” The lepre (hare) has become the restaurant’s symbol, a nod to the natural surroundings and to the creative energy that drives the kitchen.
Osteria La Lanterna has been listed in the Michelin Guide since 2016 and holds the Michelin Recommended status for 2026, a recognition of the consistency and quality of its Italian country cooking. The restaurant is also a member of the Buon Ricordo association and a supporter of Slow Food.
The wine cellar follows the same philosophy: bottles selected to accompany the seasonal menus. Beyond the dining room, Paredi offers a range of services that extend the experience—private chef at home, photography treasure hunts with picnic boxes, and a “tasting in the dark” experience in a private room. The restaurant also hosts events such as the Gastronomic Triathlon and didactic Tuesdays, and in summer it runs a street food pop-up at Camping La Sbianca.
Recognition
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