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The Grill offers one of the most relaxed dining experiences at Villa d’Este. Set within the hotel’s gardens overlooking Lake Como, this seasonal restaurant combines Mediterranean cooking with an elegant outdoor setting, making it an ideal choice for leisurely lunches and warm summer evenings. The atmosphere is informal by Villa d’Este standards, while the service and surroundings remain unmistakably five-star.
A Garden Setting That Feels Distinctly Villa d’Este
Located beside the Queen’s Pavilion, The Grill occupies one of the hotel’s quietest corners. Tables are arranged beneath mature trees across a shaded terrace, creating a peaceful setting that feels tucked away while remaining unmistakably Villa d’Este.
The terrace naturally becomes the heart of the restaurant during the warmer months, welcoming long lunches beneath the trees before transforming into an inviting setting for dinner as the evening cools. Indoor dining rooms provide an equally elegant alternative when needed, carrying the same understated style throughout.
Unlike the refined formality of Veranda or the historic character of Il Platano, The Grill focuses on relaxed luxury. The setting encourages guests to settle in and enjoy the surroundings without the ceremony of fine dining.
Mediterranean Cooking Centred on the Grill
Chef Nicola Campanella’s menu celebrates Mediterranean flavours with premium seasonal ingredients, placing expertly grilled meat and seafood at the centre of the experience.
The meal can begin with a selection of oysters, including Royal David Hervé from France, Italy’s Perla Rosa del Delta and Ireland’s Gold Regal Selection, alongside Kaluga Amur, Asetra or Beluga caviar served with classic accompaniments.
Among the starters, the Grand Selection of Raw Shellfish and Seafood brings together oysters, red prawns, scampi and scallops with Mediterranean crudaiola, olive oil and lime. Other highlights include lobster salad with chilled tomato soup, cucumber and basil, smoked salmon with crème fraîche and caper berries, beef tartare with bone marrow and ancient mustard, and Wagyu bresaola served with caprino bruschetta and peaches. Vegetarian dishes are equally considered, with grilled lettuce and Spello beans, basil spaghettone with roasted tomatoes, and Portobello mushrooms with quinoa, rocket and almonds.
Fresh pasta continues the Mediterranean influence through Rubia Gallega short rib tortelli with Castelmagno, tagliolini with crab, courgettes and lemon, and parsley risotto with salt cod and Angus amatriciana sauce. Seafood mains include Label Rouge salmon with courgettes, burrata and barbecue sauce, alongside octopus with green beans, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and pine nuts.
The grill remains the restaurant’s signature attraction. Choices include Bavarian Simmental Chateaubriand, 21-day dry-aged Simmental rib steak, Miguel Vergara Black Angus sirloin, Italian Pezzata Rossa T-bone, grilled lamb cutlets and Japanese A5 Wagyu, accompanied by Béarnaise, horseradish and sesame sauce. Grilled porcini mushrooms, truffled sweet potato fries, grilled vegetables and potato gratin round out the selection.
Desserts stay classic and balanced, featuring mascarpone mousse with coffee-soaked savoiardo, wild berry cheesecake, Piedmont hazelnut with apricot, dark chocolate with sour cherry, and pandolce served with vanilla ice cream, peaches, mint and lime.
Service, Wine and the Overall Experience
Service reflects Villa d’Este’s reputation for understated excellence. Attentive without becoming intrusive, the team allows meals to unfold at a relaxed pace, whether over a leisurely lunch or a long summer dinner. The garden setting encourages guests to linger, particularly as evening settles across the estate.
The wine list draws on Villa d’Este’s renowned cellar, offering an extensive selection of Italian and international labels. A carefully curated whisky collection is complemented by premium cognacs, armagnacs, rums and tequilas, while sweet wines, sustainably sourced teas and Hausbrandt coffee provide an elegant finish.
Although the grill defines the restaurant, the menu remains well balanced. Seafood, vegetarian dishes and lighter Mediterranean plates sit comfortably alongside larger cuts of beef, making The Grill equally suited to intimate lunches, family gatherings and celebratory dinners.
A Relaxed Lake Como Favourite
The Grill offers a more relaxed side of Villa d’Este while maintaining the standards that have long defined the hotel. The peaceful garden setting, confident Mediterranean cooking and polished service come together to create an experience that feels refined without becoming overly formal.
For hotel guests, it offers a welcome contrast to Villa d’Este’s more traditional dining rooms. For visitors exploring Lake Como, it remains one of the area’s most enjoyable places to spend an unhurried afternoon or evening.
Location: Via Regina, 42, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy
