10 Spots Where Enjoying an Aperitif With a View on Lake Como
Lake Como: glorious mountains, incredible colors, slow life, timeless charme and elegance throughout. There’s no doubt that our lake is one of the most beloved destinations in Italy and attracts thousands of tourists every year.
Useless to say, there are plenty of charming spots to experience a relaxing aperitif: here’s our selection of 10 awesome locations on the shores of Lake Como!
Cremia, Lo Scalo: #100%local
Lo Scalo is definitely THE place to be if you look for an aperitivo with local flavors. And by local we mean that… even the lavender planted between their tables is used for making cocktails!
The terrace overlooks the former shipyard of Cremia, in one of the most intimate and romantic corners of the area.
Pic by Alberto Vailati (IG: @alberto__vailati)
Among the best cocktails we recommend the Bregagno Spritz (which bears the name of the mountain top above Cremia) made with Campari, Braulio reduction and balsamic vinegar from Modena.
Where: Cremia, San Vito 9
Como, Terrazza 241 (Hilton Lake Como): #Glamorous
A completely different location, more glamorous, directly in Como city: we’re talking about the Hilton Lake Como rooftop, with its enviable infinity pool and its terrific lake view.
This cocktail bar is called La Terrazza 241: here you can taste the mixology classics and signatures, but also indulge in a snack or a real dinner.
Where: Hilton Lake Como, Via Borgo Vico 241, Como
Laglio, Da Luciano bistrot: #BuyEatDrink
If you’re in Laglio you can’t really help stopping by Da Luciano Bottega e Caffè, a deli shop (actually an old family butcher’s shop) offering delicious local cold cuts, meat, cheese, and a wide variety of Italian wines with honest prices.
The bistrot is built around the "buy-eat-drink" formula: you can just buy the products, or stop by and enjoy them directly in loco.
Besides the classic cutting boards with cold cuts and cheese, on the menu you can also find other cold dishes: don’t miss the tartare, prepared every day by Luciano himself!
They don’t accept bookings, so be prepared to a bit of queue, especially on weekends.
A plus: you can get to Da Luciano directly by boat, as there’s a small floating pier right in front.
Where: Via Vecchia Regina 6, Laglio
Tremezzo, Casa Acquadulza: #CraftBeer
Casa Acquadulza in Tremezzo means three things for us: delicious craft beer, cool hamburgers with local fish, and a super nice interior (a former inn, now carefully restored, dating back to the 19th century!).
Image by Gunther Stuffer
The view is not directly on the lake, but you can smell its scent from the courtyard, since it’s just 20 meters away.
Fun fact: here you can taste a quite unusual Spritz, made with one of their amber craft beer, Regia.
Where: Via Mazzini 3, Tremezzo, Tremezzina
Cernobbio, Harry’s Bar: #VIPs
Harry’s Bar has made the history of Cernobbio, having been there for more than 50 years.
Its elegant veranda (a stone’s throw from the waterfront) is often a destination for VIPs, including George and Amal Clooney.
Their formula is very classic, with only a few cocktails and wines (including a limited series of Brut La Cuvèe by Laurent-Perrier): as we say in Italy, “pochi ma buoni”, few but good.
Where: Piazza Risorgimento 2, Cernobbio
Tremezzo, Cantine Follie: #HiddenGem
Cantina Follie is a quite hidden gem in Tremezzo, nestled in one of the narrow alleys of the historic center, not directly on the lakeshore (but really a few steps away!).
Image by Amiamo Lago di Como blog
We’re talking about a wine bar obtained from the cellars of an old townhouse. Here you can enjoy a good glass of wine or something else, choosing to stay in the cellar or on the terrace under the vineyard, enjoying a platter of delicious local cheeses or cold cuts.
Where: Via Alessandro Volta 14-16, Tremezzo
Argegno, Bar Motta: #Casual
What’s really nice about this café/pub is the fresh, casual, funny vibe you can always breathe: young (and very knowledgeable) staff, good music, open until late at night. We keep saying that Argegno is the beating heart of the west coast of Lake Como, one of the most lively locations of the area: and Bar Motta does its (great) part in this.
Pic by Elena Bernasconi
In summer you can sit in the outside tables, either on the front (with 180° lake view) or along the typical stone staircase that leads up to the old town.
Where: Piazza Testi 1, Argegno
Pianello: Porto18 #OnTheBeach
At Porto18 you’re really on the beach, in front of the harbor in Pianello del Lario.
There’s nowhere better for a stopover if you’re having a relaxing walk along the stunning promenade that links Cremia to Musso on the northern coast of Lake Como.
Super, super easy vibe: you can go with your flip flops and just unwind.
Where: via statale 30, Calozzo
Carate Urio, Millesimo Winebar: #Intimate
Millesimo is a little gem in a spectacular waterfront location in Carate Urio, southern Lake Como.
Pic by Millesimo
Their list of wines is absolutely interesting.
Pic by Millesimo
The service is generally a bit slow, so when you go there… just take it easy and relax enjoying the awesome view!
Where: Via regina 45, Carate Urio
Ossuccio, Chiosco Malagufi: #HappilyCrowded
We end this roundup of aperitivo-friendly places with Chioschetto Malagufi (aka Lido di Ossuccio), located exactly in front of Isola Comacina in Ossuccio: by far one of the best venues you can really find on the western/central coast of Lake Como!
Pic from Lido di Ossuccio official website
Chioschetto is often quite crowded, due to its spectacular location, and it’s aways full of young people.
Where: SS340 km23, 22010 Ossuccio (CO)
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