Where to Eat in the South of Lake Garda

Are you planning a trip to Lake Garda and wondering where to eat in the south of the lake? The southern part of Lake Garda features charming lakeside towns like Gardone Riviera, Sirmione, and Salò, and offers a variety of fantastic dining experiences that highlight authentic Italian cuisine. A Calamarata Pasta with Calamari in a Tomato Sauce, or Bigoli con le Sarde, are just a few of the Lake Garda cuisine options that will get your mouth watering.

If you’re searching for the best pizza in Lake Garda, I highly recommend Locanda Agli Angeli—it’s one of my favourites. For a romantic dining experience with stunning waterfront views, Osteria al Porto is an excellent choice. If you’re in the mood for something truly special, consider dining at the Michelin-starred restaurant Lido 84. This region truly offers something for every food lover.

Where to Eat in Lake Garda

This food guide highlights the best dining spots in southern Lake Garda, Italy, including local favourites, trattorias, and osterias (traditional Italian restaurants), as well as a hidden gem. If you’re after culinary traditions and fresh lake-to-table ingredients, keep reading – you’ve come to the right place.

I had a wonderful two days in Lake Garda, exploring the landmarks and attractions while tasting the incredible food. Here are some of my recommendations for where to eat, in the south part of Lake Garda, Italy.

Table of Contents

Eating in Salo Lake Garda with my group

Bar Ristorante Canottieri – Saló

First up is Bar Ristorante Canottieri Saló, a local trattoria located near the lake with views of the Salo marina. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with the bar remaining open later after the food service ends. It is a favourite among the locals. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available, and the establishment is dog-friendly, making it an excellent option for visitors bringing their pets on holiday.

Bar Ristorante Canottieri Saló offers good local cuisine at reasonable prices, making it more affordable than some other restaurants along the waterfront. I suggest trying the carpaccio of salted meat with rocket and parmesan as a starter, followed by the homemade ravioli.

Address: Via Canottieri, 1, 25087 del Garda, BS, Italy

Locanda del Benaco – Salo

If you’re staying in Salo, Italy, or just visiting, consider having lunch or dinner at Locanda del Benaco. Located on Salò’s scenic waterfront promenade, offering covered terrace dining with stunning Lake Garda views. This Italian restaurant serves fresh Seafood and Mediterranean-style dishes, which can be paired with delicious wine.

I enjoyed a five-course meal featuring locally sourced ingredients, including a delicious fish tartare and pasta infused with fish flavours. Each dish was paired with a selection of local white and rosé wines. You can savour a delicious meal with a cold glass of Italian wine while watching people pass by, the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Locanda del Benaco was one of my favourite restaurants to eat at in the south of Lake Garda.

Address: Lungolago Zanardelli, 44, 25087 Salò BS, Italy

Experience a one-and-a-half-hour tasting of four Valtenesi wines paired with local food in Saló on GYG.

Having the infused pasta at Locanda del Benaco

Michelin Star restaurant, Lido 84 – Gardone Riviera

If you want to indulge a little, I suggest Lido 84, a 1-Michelin-Star restaurant founded in 2014 by brothers Riccardo (chef) and Giancarlo Camanini. The restaurant is recognised as a culinary gem, ranking 12th in 2024 and 16th in 2025 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.

Lido 84 is located in Gardone Riviera on the waterfront of Lake Garda, near Vittoriale degli Italiani. It occupies a former 1984 lido (beach club or beach location) and combines elegant Art Deco interiors with an enchanting outdoor terrace overlooking the lake.

The restaurant offers two tasting menu options: the Classici and Oscillazioni menus, as well as an à la Carte menu, which can be paired with wine if desired. Regional ingredients, including fish from Lake Garda, mountain dairy products, local olive oil, and wild herbs, deeply inspire the dishes. The tasting menu starts at £100 per person.

Address: Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli, 196, 25083 Gardone Riviera BS, Italy

Locanda Agli Angeli – Gardone Riviera

If you’re wondering where to eat in Gardone Riviera, Lake Garda, I highly recommend dining at Locanda Agli Angeli. It is conveniently located between the Botanic Gardens and the Vittoriale degli Italiani up a little cobblestone street. The staff are friendly, the views of Lake Garda and the town below are stunning, and the portion sizes are generous.

This charming, family-run restaurant serves traditional Italian cuisine, delicious pizzas, and a selection of local wines and beers. It reminded me of the local restaurant in Cortina d’Ampezzo. I enjoyed an aperitif with a great variety of cold starters, followed by a mouth-watering pizza that truly hit the spot, all complemented by some local sparkling wine.

Address: Via dell’Albera, 7, 25083 Gardone Riviera BS, Italy

Book a boat tour which includes cheese tasting and local wines from Gardone Riviera, Lake Garda with GYG.

Eating local pizza at Locanda Agli Angeli, Gardone Riviera

Caffè Grande Italia – Sirmione

Opened in 1894, Caffè Grande Italia is a historic café and bar located in the heart of Sirmione’s old town, just a short walk from Lake Garda’s main attraction, the Castello Scaligero di Sirmione. This family-run café has been owned by the same family since the 1920s and has been passed down through generations.

The café serves its own Gin Madame Bouganville, crafted by one of the heirs. Caffè Grande Italia is a refined café with a spacious sun terrace that welcomes dogs. It offers rich Italian coffees, a range of cocktails, and delicious desserts such as Coppa Italia. This is the perfect spot for relaxing and watching the world go by in Sirmione, with a drink in hand.

Piazza Giosuè Carducci, 24, 25019 Sirmione BS, Italy

Trattoria Clementina – Sirmione

If you’re after an authentic Italian restaurant, then the family-owned Trattoria Clementina is your perfect choice. Although it is a little further out in a village, it is considered a hidden gem and has been voted No. 1 on TripAdvisor for the best restaurant to eat in Sirmione, south of Lake Garda.

Trattoria Clementina in Sirmione offers Italian cuisine inspired by the Lake and lower Brescia areas, featuring high-quality ingredients. The generous portions are affordably priced. Recommended dishes include mixed garda fish appetisers, homemade pappardelle with ragù, and risotto with Tench fish for the main course.

Address: P.za Francesco Rovizzi, 13, 25019 Sirmione BS, Italy

If you’re in Sirmione, consider booking a private 2-hour walking tour with an experienced guide to explore and learn about Sirmione’s top landmarks.

Having a vegetarian Italian risotto in the south of Lake Garda, Italy, at Agriturismo Amea Restaurant

Osteria Silvestro – Garda

Osteria Silvestro is a local restaurant located on the southern shore of Lake Garda in the Veneto region. The restaurant is part of a charming hotel and is just a short walk from the lake, nestled in the historic town of Garda. It is easily accessible by car or ferry from Salò or Sirmione, making it an excellent choice for lunch if you are staying in the main towns.

The dishes offered are inspired by the cuisine of Verona and Lake Garda, highlighting traditional flavours. Osteria Silvestro utilises fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local suppliers and offers a diverse selection of pasta and seafood at affordable prices. Additionally, local wines are available for pairing with your meal upon request. I recommend trying the Calamarata pasta with calamari in a rich tomato sauce, or the polenta.

Address: Via S. Giovanni, 23, 37016 Garda VR, Italy

Osteria al Porto – Garda

Osteria al Porto, also known as Ristorante Al Porto, is a waterfront restaurant located along the Porto di Garda harbour. This charming establishment offers both indoor and outdoor seating, providing stunning views of the south of Lake Garda while you eat. Its spacious layout can accommodate both families and couples.

The restaurant specialises in traditional Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, with a strong emphasis on fresh, local seafood, as well as pizza and pasta. Additionally, it is well-known for its delicious ice cream, which is especially refreshing after exploring Lake Garda on a hot day. Osteria al Porto is an excellent spot if you’re looking for somewhere to eat while enjoying the sunset over the Lake.

Address: Lungo Lago Regina Adelaide, 48, 37016 Garda VR, Italy

Three portions of diced seafood – Ristorante Al Porto Lake Garda

Agriturismo Amea Restaurant

Agriturismo Amea Restaurant is a historic farmhouse just 10 minutes drive from Sirmione and 20 km from Verona. This is a great place to eat in the south of Lake Garda on your way to the airport, as it is conveniently located on the route. It also supplies accommodation with an in-ground swimming pool. Most of the farmhouses in Garda are wine producers, olive oil producers, or producers of other local products.

The concept of Agriturismo Amea Restaurant is to serve fresh, local food paired with good wine, either from the farm or sourced from the surrounding area. Meaning this is an excellent restaurant if you want to support local businesses. I had an eggplant parmesan, melanzane alla parmigiana and a Risotto for lunch. In warm weather, it’s nice to sit outside in the outdoor area, taking in the atmosphere. There is a car park here if you are driving, and dogs are welcome.

A good way to visit one of these is to book a 2-hour Garda Hills Wine Tour and Tasting trip.

Address: Località Armea, 25015 Desenzano del Garda BS, Italy

Agriturismo Sapori in Cantina

Another agriturismo is Sapori in Cantina Peschiera del Garda. It is conveniently located just off the A4 Torino-Trieste motorway, only 25 minutes from Verona Villafranca Airport. Making it another excellent choice for a meal on your way back home from your trip to Lake Garda.

Agriturismo Sapori is a winery that features an adjoining restaurant (Farmhouse Kitchen) and a showroom (shop). They serve traditional dishes made from recipes passed down through generations, all while reflecting the history of their century-old winery. Additionally, the menu includes a fine selection of wines produced on-site at the winery.

Sapori in Cantina offers tasting menus with wine pairings from Wednesday to Sunday, in addition to its regular menu. If you enjoy any of the wines featured, you can purchase a bottle from the showroom. The showroom also offers a selection of other products from the winery, including Acacia and wildflower honey, as well as extra-virgin olive oil.

Address: Via Str. Berra, 4, 37019 Peschiera del Garda VR, Italy

Eggplant parmesan melanzane alla parmigiana Agriturismo Armea Restaurant

Food Tour Suggestions for the South of Lake Garda.

If you’re uncertain about where to eat in the south of Lake Garda, I recommend joining a food tour to explore Italy’s finest culinary highlights. Here are some food and wine tour suggestions: