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Perched on the shores of Lake Como, Il Platano brings a fresh perspective to Villa d’Este’s celebrated dining collection. Blending Mediterranean ingredients with Japanese techniques, it pairs contemporary cooking with the relaxed elegance expected of one of Italy’s most iconic hotels. Whether for a leisurely lunch or dinner overlooking the lake at sunset, it offers a memorable setting that feels perfectly at home on Como.
A Different Side of Villa d’Este
Set beside the water beneath the centuries-old plane tree that gives the restaurant its name, Il Platano offers a noticeably more relaxed atmosphere than Villa d’Este’s formal dining venues. Its terrace makes the most of the lakeside setting, while the interiors retain the hotel’s timeless elegance with a lighter, more contemporary touch.
The mood changes naturally throughout the day. Lunches encourage lingering over the view, while evenings become livelier as cocktails give way to dinner beneath softly lit trees. The atmosphere remains polished without feeling overly formal, making Il Platano equally suited to a long lunch or a special evening meal.
That same balance defines the menu. Mediterranean cooking forms the foundation, with Japanese ingredients and techniques woven in thoughtfully rather than for effect. The result is confident, distinctive and unlike anywhere else within Villa d’Este.
Mediterranean Flavours Meet Japanese Precision
Il Platano’s menu combines regional Italian produce with Japanese influences that feel measured rather than experimental. Every dish reflects the restaurant’s contemporary style while remaining rooted in clean, well-balanced flavours.
Starters
Raw seafood takes centre stage, led by a ceviche of tuna, prawns and sea bass with coconut and yuzu, alongside Nikkei tuna sashimi finished with citrus-fermented soy, candied ginger and basil. The Wagyu sashimi offers a richer alternative, while burrata with marinated langoustine, panzanella and ginger brings together Mediterranean and Japanese elements with restraint.
Among the warm starters, crispy prawn tempura with lemon-spiced mayonnaise is an easy favourite, while the flowers and sprouts salad with ginger and furikake provides a lighter vegetarian option.
Main Courses
Italian classics receive subtle Japanese accents throughout the main courses. Spaghettoni with yellow datterino tomatoes, langoustines and nori seaweed balances familiar flavours with gentle umami, while the garlic, olive oil and chilli risotto gains added depth from katsuobushi.
Seafood remains a highlight, particularly the Alaskan black cod with miso barbecue sauce and oriental rice, sea bass with yuzu and black truffle sauce, and salmon served alongside mango salad and tajín. Meat lovers can choose the Wagyu rib-eye with wasabi potato and ingen-mame or Wagyu gyoza with plum sauce, while Nasu gyoza with miso sauce offers a satisfying vegetarian choice.
Desserts
Desserts continue the restaurant’s international outlook without becoming overly elaborate. White chocolate mousse with kumquat and tonka bean crumble, fried vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce, and the Selvaje coconut dessert with dulce de leche and sesame are among the standouts. A selection of mochi or a refreshing yuzu sorbet rounds off the meal on a lighter note.
Wines, Champagne and Cocktails
The drinks list reflects the kitchen’s international outlook. Signature cocktails include the Kinobi-tini, Asian Fashioned and Sakura, while the champagne selection features Louis Roederer Collection 245, Veuve Clicquot Rosé and Dom Pérignon Vintage 2017 by the glass. Japanese sake and whiskies reinforce the restaurant’s culinary direction, with dessert wines and Italian after-dinner liqueurs completing the experience.
Service with Quiet Confidence
Service reflects Villa d’Este’s longstanding reputation while matching Il Platano’s more relaxed character. Staff members are attentive without becoming intrusive, allowing meals to unfold at an easy pace whether visiting for lunch or an extended evening by the lake.
The team knows both the menu and wine list well, offering thoughtful recommendations without turning the experience into a performance. That easy confidence contributes as much to the restaurant’s appeal as the food itself.
During the warmer months, reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for dinner or one of the terrace tables overlooking Lake Como. Smart attire suits the setting, especially in the evening, though the atmosphere remains comfortably relaxed throughout the day.
A Distinctive Addition to Villa d’Este’s Dining Collection
Each restaurant at Villa d’Este has its own identity. Veranda celebrates classic fine dining in an elegant historic setting, while Il Platano presents a more contemporary approach through its Mediterranean-Japanese cuisine and relaxed lakeside atmosphere.
Its location also shapes the experience. The terrace invites unhurried lunches as boats pass across the lake, while evenings become quieter and more intimate as daylight fades over the water. The setting never feels secondary to the meal; it is part of what makes dining here so memorable.
For guests staying at Villa d’Este, Il Platano offers welcome variety alongside the hotel’s more traditional restaurants. Those visiting solely for lunch or dinner will find a restaurant that captures the elegance of Lake Como through a distinctly contemporary lens.
A Memorable Lake Como Dining Destination
Il Platano succeeds because every element feels carefully judged. The lakeside setting, polished service and assured cooking come together naturally, while the blend of Mediterranean and Japanese influences gives the restaurant a clear identity within Villa d’Este’s dining collection.
For those seeking refined dining on Lake Como with a contemporary edge, Il Platano is an easy recommendation. It delivers the standards expected of Villa d’Este while offering an experience that feels distinctive enough to return for again.
Location: Via Regina, 40, 22012 Cernobbio, Italy
