Top Lake Como Dining Experiences

Discover the enchanting beauty of Lake Como from a unique perspective. Enjoy an exclusive picnic with curated selection of dishes from local farm. Immerse yourself in an aesthetic and gastronomic journey. The uniqueness of the activity in a hidden tranquil place with stunning views of the lake, this is qualitatively different from the lake embankment with crowds of tourists. Also a gastronomic experience with the opportunity to try traditional northern cuisine in a unique setting.

Immerse yourself in a private dining experience at a local's home, enjoy an exclusive show cooking and taste authentic recipes from Cernobbio treasured in family cookbooks passed down by real Italian Mammas. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people. Enjoy a 4-course menu including starter, pasta, main course with side dish, dessert with drinks included (water, selection of red and white wines from regional cellars and coffee). This experience is held by Cesarine: Italy’s oldest network of home cooks all over the country in more than 500 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.

Immerse yourself in the timeless charm of Lake Como with an exclusive evening inside the private home of Count Claudio and his family. Meet in the beautiful Piazza San Giorgio in the heart of Varenna before a short walk to a historic villa, a treasured family residence passed down through generations. Welcomed by your hosts, you'll discover the villa's elegant rooms, family stories, and terraced gardens before settling onto a panoramic terrace with spectacular views over Lake Como, Bellagio, and Tremezzo. Enjoy a homemade dinner with an aperitivo and wine, garden vegetables, traditional Italian appetizers, seasonal risotto, and homemade tiramisu. Share conversations with lifelong residents of Varenna and experience genuine Italian hospitality in a setting few visitors ever have the opportunity to enter. More than a dinner, this is a rare cultural experience offering an intimate glimpse into the history, traditions, and everyday life of one of Lake Como's distinguished local families.

Learn to create classic dishes of the Lombardy region with a small-group cooking class in Lake Como. A member of the acclaimed Cesarine network of chefs will welcome you into their home for a lesson in Milanese-style cuisine as you help prepare a 3-course menu featuring northern Italian favorites such as a seasonal starter, various kinds of fresh pasta, and a local dessert such as a *torta miascia*, *cutizza* pancake, or tiramisu. When the cooking’s done, sit down with your host and small group to enjoy the homemade meal with wine.

Use your time in Como to learn more about wine with a sommelier-led tasting session in the heart of the city. Taking place in an elegant wine shop near Como old town, the wine tasting includes plenty of samples along with all the information you need about each varietal. Nice touch: The group is limited to just 12 people for a more sociable and intimate experience.

Make two fresh pasta dishes by hand during a small-group cooking class in Varenna, Lake Como. You’ll skip the impersonal feel of a larger cooking class, and rustle up creations in the home of a local, who is part of the Cesarine network of Italian home cooks. Prepare and eat pasta and a tiramisu as you learn about the wider Lombardy region in the best place — an Italian home kitchen.

Join Valentina for a spread of her family's signature Italian dishes. Her home is cosy and colourful! You'll enjoy a 3-course meal, made from seasonal and fresh ingredients from the local market, before heading out for a walk by the nearby lake. You'll have plenty of time to get to know your host, to discover about life in Como and note down all her suggestions of places to visit in the area.

On your Lake Como vacation, make sure you see the lake from above to experience the natural beauty without the crowds. This small-group hike and picnic takes you high up into the hills near Varenna where the countryside and views take center stage. After a short hike, you’ll picnic on local food and wine from the Valsassina and Valtellina regions. Note that hotel pick up and drop-off are not included.

Discover the flavors of Italy in this immersive pizza and tiramisu-making workshop in Como. Guided by a host with roots in both northern and southern Italy, learn the secrets behind making perfect dough, authentic pizza, and classic regional desserts. This hands-on class blends local tradition, heritage, and Mediterranean flair, offering not just recipes but lasting cooking skills. It’s a warm, intimate culinary experience that celebrates Italy’s rich food culture.

Experience the best of Lake Como with a guided local market tour followed by a hands-on cooking class with a local expert. This experience is perfect for anyone looking to dive into Lake Como’s culinary culture and discover authentic local flavors. Whether you’re a food lover or simply seeking unique things to do in Lake Como, this activity offers an opportunity to experience Lake Como like a local. - Private, hands-on cooking class with a local in a cozy and elegant home overlooking the stunning Lake Como - In your Lake Como cooking class learn how to make fresh dough, roll out pastry, and shape handmade pasta from scratch - Savor your meal at an outdoor dining table, complemented by wine, dessert, and great conversation in a picturesque setting - An intimate and memorable experience in one of Italy’s most scenic regions - If you choose the market option, enjoy a guided tour of a vibrant neighborhood market to purchase fresh ingredients for your cooking class

Join a shared cooking class at a local's home and discover the secrets of Italy's most famous dishes while savoring your creations paired with local wines. Your host will guide you through preparing three authentic recipes, providing all the necessary ingredients and utensils. After cooking, enjoy the meal you've made, complemented by red and white wines. This experience offers the chance to enjoy traditional Italian food, learn regional recipes, and connect with a welcoming family. Cesarine, Italy's oldest network of over 1000 home cooks across 500+ cities, offers immersive culinary experiences rooted in family traditions and local specialties.

Step into the home of a local in the beautiful region of Lake Como, often referred to as the ‘pearl of Lombardy,’ for a private cooking class. Learn the secrets and techniques of Lombard cooking from your host as you get hands-on experience making a delicious meal. Then, enjoy the fruits of your labor paired with a selection of local red and white wines to cap off this amazing experience.

Your experience begins in the heart of Varenna, where you will meet near the ferry pier. From there, a short five-minute walk leads to the entrance of a historic private villa. Once inside, you’ll stroll through a beautiful terraced garden filled with flowers, cypress trees, and lush greenery. A gentle walk of about 15–20 minutes takes you through the garden terraces carved into the hillside. At the top, you’ll reach a secluded garden viewpoint overlooking Lake Como — a perfect setting for photos and quiet moments away from the busy village below. In a private shaded corner of the garden, a carefully prepared picnic table awaits. Each table is elegantly decorated with Italian tableware and refined details. Guests will enjoy a curated picnic basket with local cheeses, cold appetizers, seasonal fruit, small desserts, and your choice of wine or prosecco selected in advance. You will then have time to relax, enjoy the setting, and savor the picnic in complete privacy.

Gain exclusive insight into the world of Italian cooking during a private dining experience in Como. You'll overcome the language barrier as you browse a local market with your private guide and then watch as they whip up a tailored 4-course meal for you to enjoy. Unlike other typical cooking classes, you'll assist in the preparation of food but leave the cooking itself to a professional.

Get off the tourist track on this private, half-day cooking workshop. Enjoy a fully bespoke experience in the home of a Lake Como local as you master recipes for three different pasta dishes. Then, sit down to enjoy your freshly-cooked meal, paired with red and white wines from regional cellars.

In the two hours time , we will study the ancient tea culture in China and how it reflect the Buddhism / Dao and Confucius culture which are the three main philosophies that compose the Chinese culture which last form 10 minutes Then Go through the 6 main tea families and teh modern tea evolution in modern time which will take about 10minutes. After that I will share tea picking season and tea making procedure brief introduction . Then it would be the tea services and tea varieties pairing and learn how different water quality and temperature impact the tea water taste. When would be the best time to drink tea. You will get to practice 2000year old ancient style Tea ceremony (Kongfu cha) after the demonstration. Last we will study how to pair different tea with food and have some tea Dimsum tasting before finishing.

You can't visit Italy without trying at least one pasta dish... So, we'll teach you two! Learn how to roll 'sfoglia' (fresh pasta) by hand and how to prepare 2 simple different kinds of pasta from scratch with your local host. As the icing on the cake, you will learn to prepare also the iconic Tiramisu. Share your passion for the Italian cuisine as you make new friends in this hands-on cooking class. It's a great way to truly experience Italian culture. This experience is held by Cesarine, the oldest Italy’s network of home cooks available in more than 500 cities all over the country. Cesarine stands for "home cook", they are passionate and welcoming local hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences. The Cesarine serve only local specialties from their family cookbooks to tell the great story of their traditional regional cuisine.

Combine a Lake Como cruise with lunch at a scenic lakeside restaurant on this small-group tour. An experience designed to showcase “la dolce vita” of Lake Como, the combo-tour starts with a cruise from Bellagio by elegant Venetian water taxi, and finishes with lunch and red wine in Bellagio. An entry ticket to the gardens of Villa Melzi is an extra perk.

Pasta lovers—prepare to be amazed! This pasta-making class at a Cesarina’s home is the perfect way to learn new skills and taste incredible food too. Enjoy direct access to your teacher for questions during this small-group lesson. Learn the secrets of the region’s most loved pasta dishes, and make three recipes. The best thing about the experience is that you get to eat the food at the end with wine included.

Learn to make a traditional Italian aperitivo during this small-group drinks workshop in Como. Immerse yourself in the Italian practice of sundowner drinks and learn the art of making the perfect one yourself. You’ll also learn to prepare some appetizers to go along with your drinks, sipping a selection of red and white Italian wines throughout the session.

We only use the original recipe for Neapolitan Pizza. That means that every single ingredient is compliant with the specifications to call it Neapolitan DOC Pizza. As in the wood-burning oven we use only 100% beech wood and not mixed wood as usual in restaurants, the flavour will be really unique!

A mornig session on Lake Como to approach sailing and get some good knowledges. Morning winds can be challenging sometimes, but can you imagine yourselves only in the middle of the lake? Yup, it can be pretty cold too out there in winter, but that’s how you can feel alive and truly forget the rest for a while. Meet our sailboat and let her be your new friend. She makes a good coffee too! You’ll be sailing on the eastern side of Lake Como helping the skipper on board and gaining confidence with a sailboat. You’ll enjoy beautiful landscapes and mystic atmospheres. You can answer to your sailing curiosities and test yourself. It’s not all about “work” though! Ask for a coffee on board while you’re sailing… And when the sailing session is over stay with us at the Bay and enjoy some good Pasta for lunch. Like friends sharing a morning away from stress, boredom, problems and daily routine.

Become immersed in Italian culture as you learn to make traditional dishes during this cooking class in Varenna. This private class takes you to a local home where you can learn all about Italian cooking while making a number of dishes. Learn tricks and tips so you can recreate the dishes at home and sit down to the fruits of your labor paired with local wine.