Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 One of the restaurants that open a little bit early so we have decided to try it out. We got there 10 minutes before and people started coming after us. We got the seat even we didn't have reservations. I ordered risotto with fried perch (minimum 2 orders), lake fish sampler entree, and white wine to pair with fish dishes. Risotto flavor was good but the texture was a bit hard for my taste. It was different from the one I had in Venice. I don't know which one is authentic but I don't really like the texture of this one. Lake fish sampler also great on seasoning but then again some fishes have small bones which I didn't like. So if small bones bother you like me, I suggest don't order this dish. Also order "Miascia" with figs jam and pumpkin ice-cream. Which tasted balance with ice cream and taste of fig jam. Overall experience was ok but it was a bit over priced. read more

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Absolutely delicious and wonderful service. Make sure you get a reservation! We booked one through our hotel concierge a month out since we went during peak summer season. Good wines too! read more

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There was not much selection of restaurants on Varenna in Lake Como. So we stumbled across this restaurant without reservation for dinner. We were seated as soon as they opened; which was very nice of them. We ordered their Risotto and Grilled fish and ended our dinner with sweet dessert that they have. Their Risotto was not my favorite because the rice was tough to chew and fish had tiny bones in them. Risotto had good seasoning but texture was not what I prefer. Grilled fish platter was decent but fish had a lot of tiny bones that I didn't like. Seasonings were great! Service was good and staff were talking in English and smiling and friendly with people. Table settings were in family style and this place is good for large families. read more

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Delicious food paired with a quiet ambiance in the quaint town of Varenna, what's not to love! We made a reservation here through our hotel for dinner on a Tuesday night and were seated promptly upon arrival. We got to dine outdoors along a cute cobblestone street that was nice and quiet throughout our meal. For pastas, we had the lasagna and the beef ravioli with eggplant chips, both of which were fantastic. I especially enjoyed the beef ravioli and loved the texture of the eggplant chips on top! Then, my fiance and I shared the breaded pike perch fillet plus a side of mixed grilled vegetables -- the fish was perfectly tender on the inside with a nice panko crust on the outside, and the vegetables were good as well. read more

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We came here for our last dinner in Lake Como. We ordered a bunch of dishes and everything was so good. My favorite was the risotto. I don't normally like the risotto but I was shocked by how they made it here. It was seasoned perfectly and I kept reaching for more. All the other dishes were also very delicious. I highly recommend coming here to eat if you are visiting Lake Como. It was one of my favorite restaurants when I came here. read more

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Off the beaten path, the restaurant is in the most perfect location away from the crowds. The main larger restaurant is along a street above steps from the main road, but the smaller and more quaint area is literally off of the steps. It's a bit slower (though excellent) service here due to the waitstaff having to carry the food from the main restaurant, but if not in a rush, it's worth it All food was fresh and full of flavor. With interesting flavor combinations and unique dishes, be sure to visit while in Varenna! read more

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We climbed up cobblestone steps in Varenna to a less touristy spot to find this wonderful restaurant . Here we enjoyed one of the best meals we had while visiting Lake Como. The service was a bit slow but well worth the wait. Everyone was polite and friendly. Of course delicious bread was brought to the table , we really enjoyed the bread sticks ! We ordered wine then started with the eggplant and sweet caramelized onion appetizer , it was fantastic . Presented beautifully and so flavorful . My daughter had the Tagliatelle with Lake fish , she said it was so delicious! I had Ravioli with crispy eggplant and zucchini, with a tomato and basil sauce .Exceptional dish , perfectly prepared simple yet so special! I highly recommend this very lovely restaurant! read more

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I was staying in Varenna on Lake Como with my partner and we came to dinner here. The city is very small so you definitely need to make reservations in advance for dinner, especially during busier times since the restaurants do book out. We made the reservation the night before and were able to book a table outside at 8pm. This restaurant is super cute and has a few areas: two indoor areas and one outdoor area in a quaint street. The outdoor seating is very romantic, with the quaint buildings and cobblestone street as your backdrop. The service was amazing! Our waiter was so nice, fun, and attentive. He also was very honest in terms of gauging how much we should order and he definitely did not lead us astray. They specialize in fish dishes and they use fresh catch from the lake! For food we tried: - Antipasto misto del nostro lago: very nice starter to get a sample of a few different fish dishes from the lake. This came with some toast with fish pate which was mild and creamy, pickled fish with sweet pickled onions inside that was very unique and worked well, fresh smoked salmon, fried sardines with pickled vegetables, and finally polenta with some smoked trout on top. Everything was very good and unique! My favorite was probably the mildly sweet polenta with salty trout in top, the combination worked very well. - Risotto al pesce persico: you need a minimum of two people to order this dish but it is well worth it. This was my favorite dish that I ate while in Lake Como. The risotto was perfectly al dente, and had a rich creamy consistency that was comforting and delicious. The thin pieces of bettered fish not only added a beautiful element aesthetically but also went incredibly well with the risotto, adding a little bit of texture, umami, and mild sweetness from the batter. It came with a drizzle of pesto which was divine. The portion is very very generous but it will make you leave very happy :) would come back here again just for this, no question! - Chocolate dessert: they had a selection of different desserts including a tiramisu which looked very good but we opted to get the chocolate shell with dark chocolate foam inside and raspberry sauce. This was a rich and decadent dessert, perfect to end our meal! The chocolate shell had the right amount of sweetness and the chocolate mousse had the creamiest, most delicious consistency. It was well balanced by the tart flavor of the berries. This all came over a biscuit that was not too sweet and tied everything together. Overall, we had a fantastic dinner here, it was our favorite from Lake Como! The service was excellent, the food is as elaborate, intentional, satisfying, and of exceptional quality, and the ambiance was just so quaint-- this is exactly what you would hope out of a dinner during your Italy vacation. Do not hesitate to come here if you find yourself in Varenna! You will not be disappointed. read more

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Nice restaurant in a quiet area. All the food was fresh and well prepared. A good choice if in the area and in the mood for seafood and local cuisine read more

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This was the BEST meal we had during our trip to Lago di Como! I would recommend this place over any of the little bistrots looking over the lake. The food was exceptional and the service was amazing. Everyone was very kind and they accommodated my gluten free needs with no issues. The ambiance was quaint and romantic even while dining with our 2 kiddos. read more

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We had an 8 o'clock, reservation, peak, season, on a Monday, and were seated right away. It's super easy to make a reservation, just call the restaurant at least a week in advance and ask for a table. We sat inside. The staff was nice. The service was quick And the food came out extremely fast. I thought the food was good for being in Italy, I thought the pasta would be better. The Bolognese was quite dry and the ravioli was just all right. Wish there was more of a pasta selection on the menu. Pros: cute, convenient, quick service Cons: menu selection limited read more

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This lovely Katerina is tucked away on the hill. We had reservations for 6:30, made earlier in the day. Our table was in the main dining area. Slightly brightly lit, but cozy with stone walls and intimate tables. I chose the Beef Filet, my husband had the tagliatelle. Very courteous, borderline snooty waiter, but lovely servers. Cocktails and dolci were standouts. Tiramisu was excellent! read more

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Excellent service with Gluten Free Friendly dishes. Wine selection off the charts! We are upstairs in a smaller more quiet dining area- recommend this section for a romantic evening!! read more

We were lucky to get a table on a Tuesday night at 8pm. There was still a wait even though it was October, and some of the other restaurants in the area were completely full for the night. The wine list was great, with pretty reasonable prices on the bottles, so we went with a 2013 Arpepe Valltelina. They start you with grissini, bread, and an amuse of a carrot purée with crisped bacon. - Grilled Braciere cheese with sautéed porcinis and a puff pastry disc. I've never had braciere, and the texture was definitely enhanced with the griddling. It's on the saltier side, so it's good with the porcinis and bread - Quadrotti: ravioli filled with smoked trout, sour cream foam, fried leeks, trout eggs - it had an interesting hint of acidity from the foam to balance the richness of the tribe - Spaghettoni: with clams and bottarga. The spaghetti texture was great - Mixed grilled vegetables: we just needed some veggies We were partway through our dinner when we realized our train was leaving 30 min earlier than expected and that it was the last train of the night. The servers were extremely gracious helping us pack everything up (including our decanted Arpepe!) so that we could rush out of there. Between the main dining room, outdoor tables, and the cellar area down the stairs, they can actually seat a fair amount of tables. There aren't a lot of good dinner options in Varenna, so if you have your eyes set on this place, definitely make a reservation, especially during peak tourist seasons. Thank you again to the team for getting us out in time! read more

Great atmosphere. Great food. God service. Enjoyed our meal. Interesting desserts. Good wine list read more

We enjoyed our visit to Osteria Quatro Pass. The service was solid and efficient. The setting was very lovely on the inside of the restaurant as well. The food was good, but not exceptional enough to earn five stars. The steak tar-tar was a bit bland and somewhat of a disappointment. The texture of the meat was not exceptional and felt closer to ground chuck than to tenderloin. Definitely would not repeat that dish. The tuna entree was exceptional, as was the pasta and bolognese. However, my beef filet with thyme was once again lacking in flavor and adequate seasoning. read more

We enjoyed our time here greatly ! Our air bnb host recommend this place as the best food in Varenna. We knew it would be perfect for our last meal in town before we moved on. He said reservations were necessary, but was able to call us in a 7pm reservation for the same night (Friday) so I don't think they're that hard to get. We had a GREAT meal. The place wasn't buzzing until 8 pm. We let the waiter lead- stefano- and pretty much ordered everything he recommended!! Plates are a little small. I would recommend for 2 , sharing an antipasti, and then each getting a primi, and secondini. The lago misto fish mixed app was fresh and interesting! Just what we were looking for. We couldn't decide which pasta was better - squid ink or goat cheese ravIoli. Squid ink definitely had a fishy taste !! Lamb chops were cooked to perfection. We shared the plate - my husband wished he had my portion too. The dessert was the star of the show. Chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce. Again, we wish we had two! Oh yes- for wine- we tried what is typically made in this region- Lombardy- Nebbiolo! It was dry and had a bite- but was great with our meat! You will enjoy this meal if you go. The wait staff was kind and attentive and atmosphere was very romantic! read more

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Had a great little meal here the first night we were in Varenna - ended up being out best meal in Lake Como. Situated in one of the alleyways, the cute restaurant had some outdoor as well as indoor seating but due to the small size reservations are recommended. Highlights included a peppercorn steak, lasagna, and grilled veggies. No view of the lake, but highly recommended. read more

Elegant place for dinner in Varenna! The ravioli was maybe the best I've ever had and grilled octopus is always a good time read more

Osteria Quatro Pass - Italian Near Me - Varenna, SO

delicious spot especially for lake como! we got seated right away and it came with a complimentary appetizer and we ordered the artichoke tortellini and rabbit ravioli along with a cheese plate and apple tart and chocolate dessert. the pasta was absolutely elevated and the interior felt very high class. the prices were also quite reasonable and the plating was beautiful. i wish they served the cheese plate with some crackers but their house made jam and local honey was a very nice touch. if you go to one place in varenna, i would recommend this spot! read more

This spot was the perfect place for lunch in beautiful Varenna. We did our homework and found this place away from all the tourist areas on a narrow but picturesque pedestrian only street. We ordered a bottle local wine, Seriz La Costa. This part of the country isn't really known for their wine so it was good not great. We started our meal off with an array of cheeses. I'm a sucker for a cheeseboard so I loved that they were as fresh as can be. For our main course we ordered two types of pasta to share. The first was a ravioli dish with fresh tomatoes, basil & fried eggplant and it was delicious. The other dish was a tortelloni with a saffron sauce with walnuts on top. I really liked the sauce but my fiancé was not a fan. Opposites attract! Overall this was a great spot to stop for lunch and did not disappoint. read more

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The food was amazing! We each had a nice salad. My husband had the rabbit ravioli and i had the tortellini with meat sauce. For dessert we had tiramisu and all was homemade and delicious. The service here was impeccable and the ambiance was romantic. read more

Two lunches. Two exquisite lunches in two days. 09MAR2020 Soave Classico San Michele, 2018, €10 for 2 glasses. Average not much to it. Carpione Misto Lago - fried lake fish is lightly breaded, fried and then marinated. "Three-day old fish." We ate everything but the bones. Sassorosso Grumello Valentina, 2016, €30. Italian alpine styling from Piedmonte. Very good. Fileto di Manza - beef tenderloin with a cream sauce and spicy green peppercorns. Fantastic. Cooked medium rare. Very tender. Apple tart Coffee, grappa, limocello + Excellent service from our waiter Fabrizzio Sadly, they told us that the restaurant will be closed until April due to lack of business due to the Covid19 lockdown. €100.50 for lunch for two. 08MAR2020 Amuse bouche of marinaded octopus. Very good. Fresh. Foie Gras - cold. Perfect texture and taste. A large portion. Lake Fish - so delicate and fresh. Chef's Choice dessert - profiteroles. Fabulous heavy whipped cream and berries. Coffee and grappa. + Excellent service from our waiter Fabrizzio. + atmosphere - a bright cave. Seats 30 + 12 upstairs. + Wi-Fi + cloth napkins + table linens €zero as we treated by our AirBnB host Giorgio. read more

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Best restaurant in Varenna. Love the ambiance, food, staff, and relaxed atmosphere. We had foie gras, the squid ink pasta, the pumpkin ravioli, and much more. They kept our umbrella even though we forgot it and came back for it. The location is perfect and we love what they did inside the building. Chao ! read more

Osteria Quatro Pass - foie gras, pears, and toast - Italian Near Me - Varenna, SO

We had a delicious meal, great service and there is a unique and nice menu selection. We enjoyed the atmosphere as well. The food was divine. read more

I feel like we got lucky to get a reservation here. We rolled into town on Friday and most every restaurant was fully booked for up to two weeks. Amazingly, we got a table for six right when they opened for dinner service. We got a nice room around the corner from the main restaurant with just one other large party. I did three courses starting with grilled octopus which was so good. Then I had the tagliolini Nero with the squid ink and shrimp. I finished up with a mixed grill of fish. I personally would have enjoyed a little smoke on it like mesquite, but fully appreciated the simplicity of the dish. I also had a delicious Italian saison beer before dinner and a very crisp Lugana white wine with my meal. Everyone in our party enjoyed their food. The service was attentive and friendly, too. read more

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Excellent! We loved everything! Fassone beef tartare, ravioli of the house & slow cooked duck. We will be back.

Strolling thru the hillside streets of Varenna, we found this cozy restraunt just opening for lunch. Our instincts told us this was the place as we scanned the mid-day offerings, yet we were compelled to not select the first establishment we stopped to scan the menu. So we walked on to view maybe 10 more options, each time we stopped we both said I like that 'one' better. So 30-45 min later we were back. They hit a homerun!, stellar service, sidewalk ambiance, a slight cool breeze partnered with great food... WOW. Words can't really effectively communicate the level of palate happiness this establishment created. My only complaint I'm not a fan of a short wine pour, at 5€ per glass it was easy enough to have a second. A bit on the pricey side we had an appetizer, a primary, and a secondary with 3 glasses of vino and 2x coperto... ended our lunch date at a bit below 80€. It was well worth it. read more

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We ate here our first night in the area as most of the other restaurants we tried were full and no longer seating as we went out later in the evening. The service was great and they were very accommodating with our limited Italian. We started with the lake fish starter of which the salmon was mine and my husbands favorite of all the fish. My husband got the beet ravioli with fish and I had the shrimp spaghetti with asparagus cream sauce. We fished the night with tiramisu which was delicious and very light which was a perfect way to end the meal. I loved the quaint setting in the alley which was so picturesque! This was a great first night to celebrate our honeymoon in Varenna. read more

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Tucked back behind waterfront this meal was superb and the service was impeccable. We sat upstairs in an intimate space with just a few tables that had the feel of old Italia. read more

We came here for my wedding rehearsal dinner with family, about 25 people total. Not many restaurants can accommodate such a large party, and even less can do so with delicious food in the area! Quatro Pass was such a delightful surprise! My wedding coordinator suggested this place for my rehearsal dinner and everything from there was smooth sailing. The owner emailed me choices, and while I thought I was meant to pick only 4-5 options for people to choose from, when I picked the menu, I didn't realize I picked a 7-course meal! And the best part was that it was so inexpensive for such a lavish meal! Everyone was stuffed by the end, but kept on wanting more! Every dish was delicious, and the owners graciously let us take over the restaurant as more family wanted to stop by and join the dinner! I felt bad for the other restaurant guests as our party ended up crowding everyone out. But the hosts were so gracious and kind! This place has such a cute charm and the value is hard to beat. Besides, the food is their main attraction, and it's really good! So go, enjoy a romantic dinner here, you won't regret it. :) read more

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It was our last night here at Varenna. Decided to have dinner here. We were told it was the best by the housekeeper at the place we were staying in Varenna. I believe this is a family own and run resturant which seats about 24 people inside and a couple tables outside. The starter we ordered was fresh fish from the lake tartar. It was amazing and that crispy crunch with the bite of fish. The second was a shrimp and bacon pasta, very good flavors and fresh made pasta. For our entrees I had the veal and my girlfriend has the goose leg. The veal was very soft and tender, super rich in flavor it was cooked just right. The goose leg wasn't dry. We also got the homemade tiramisu which was delicious. The service was great and on point. It is a tad pricy but your also receiving top quality food. It was a good evening and dining experience to end our last night in Italy. read more

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Our second night in Varenna on Lake Como and another excellent dinner. Just a few steps down from ll Cavatappi our fist night dinner. The restaurant is very nice inside with a few outdoor tables. Either choice is good. The restaurant is on two levels and the servers are going up and down stairs all night. For starters we chose the melon and prosciutto and octopus. The prosciutto was lean and the melon ripe, sweet and delicious. The octopus was grilled nicely and had great flavor. Great start to the meal. The mains kept up the pace, my wife had the squid ink pasta with lobster and I had the calamari and assorted seafood. My wife said her pasta and lobster was one of the best ever, I had a taste and agree :). My seafood was also delicious. For dessert we shared a yummy tiramisu with fresh whipped cream and peaches. Also had a bottle of Vermentino, good match with the food. Service was friendly and helpful especially help with picking out a suitable wine. Osteria Quattro Pass is a good choice if staying in Varenna. Like most places in Italy, be sure to book a reservation in advance. read more

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A waiter from a different restaurant had recommended this restaurant and it was definitely a great recommendation. The decor is really beautiful. The restaurant isn't that big, so it would be best to make a reservation. I ended up getting one of the fish raviolis and it was absolutely divine! I enjoyed it so much. It was a little pricier compared to the other restaurants that I tried in Varenna (if you are on a budget). However, to me, it was worth the price! I've never tried such a fantastic ravioli. read more

Osteria Quatro Pass - The fish ravioli - cannot find the exact name of the dish, but it was so good!!! - Italian Near Me - Varenna, SO

Wonderful Veal. Great service. Ate outside and really loved it. The wife had the Tuna and it was awesome. Great atmosphere and really fun. Would highly recommend this place. read more

Osteria Quatro Pass - Amazing Veal - Italian Near Me - Varenna, SO

It's a medium-sized restaurant along the main pedestrian-only walkway in town. The restaurant decor was homey and inviting, with stone walls, tiny wooden tables, and white tablecloths, with wine bottles as decorations covering the shelves. We had a simple caprese amuse bouche (basil, tiny mozzarella, cherry tomatoes on sticks), then local lake fish grilled and marinated in vinaigrette, fully edible except for fins and the headbone, served with somewhat tasteless polenta cakes, then a fairly cheesy baked bolognese, and pan-fried lake fish, which again lacked seasoning, with fragrant, toasted almonds and somewhat mushy, tasteless rice. A good first meal, but not remarkable. Friendly service. read more

THIS WAS THE BEST. SERIOUSLY. GO. If you can get the bolognese lasagna, do it. A bit out of the way from all the hubbub and it was worth it.

Had a great time tonight at the restaurant. Excellent service, very polite and helpful and very quick. Food was excellent as well. Not a large space but it was easy to have a good conversation without getting too loud. We were very much impressed. Would recommend and would dine here again. read more

Osteria Quatro Pass - Italian Near Me - Varenna, SO

Food was OK. Not the best meal we've had on the lake, but the lobster spaghetti is divine. Pricing is standard tourist pricing (10-20 euros for primi, 15-25 euros for secondi). No views as its on an alley on the hill of the town, not by the water side. read more

This charming place is a gastronomical delight. We had the polenta/salted herring appetizer which is a local specialty and lobster with spaghetti and tomato sauce. The service is outstanding, the ambience warm and inviting and the food cooked well. Highly recommend this little gem in Varenna. read more