At the far end of Bellagio’s Villa Melzi garden is the little hamlet of Loppia where the restaurant Alle Darsene di Loppia serves up a perfect lunch. Picture this – a vine covered pergola, crisp white linen, fresh local seafood and wine on an early autumn day. While the weather may not always be as ideal as it was during my visit last month, I’d still make the Alle Darsene di Loppia a must visit eatery in Lake Como for its unpretentious cooking and warm and friendly service. The risotto with summer truffle and seafood pasta was just what we wanted after a morning of touring the lake’s villas.

Pricing was reasonable at around EUR 40 per person for three courses excluding wine. Reservations are recommended and can be made on the restaurant’s website.