Ristorante Vecchia Malcesine

"I recently had the pleasure of dining at a restaurant with a breathtaking view of Lake Garda. The food was locally inspired and perfectly paired with exquisite local wines. Highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the area!"

Danko Vukovic

"A refined dining experience in the charming village of Malcesine, perched just above Lake Garda with lovely views both over the lake and the picturesque castle framed by a tree-lined path that leads up to the restaurant.

The service was truly attentive throughout the evening. The restaurant offers two tasting menus as well as à la carte options with the flexibility to build a two- or three-course meal and add dessert, which is what I opted for.

The meal began with amuse-bouches: a tomato in trompe-l’œil style that was actually a fish tartare in jelly, and an artichoke-based bite. Both were visually intriguing and pleasant in taste, although they could have been pushed slightly further to truly awaken the palate.

As a starter, I chose homemade tortellini with shrimp and snails, accompanied by pesto. The pasta was excellent — delicate and fresh — and the seafood well-prepared, though the shrimp might have benefitted from a slightly shorter cook for a more tender texture. The pesto had a nice flavor but was a touch oily for my taste.

My main was catfish, served with a broccoli preparation, mushrooms, and a sauce. The fish itself was flavorful but just slightly overcooked, with a firmer texture than ideal. Still, the dish was satisfying and well-executed overall.

Before dessert, a creative pre-dessert in trompe-l’œil style arrived — I recall mandarin among the flavors, and it was a nice and refreshing transition.

For dessert, I selected the “apple” — another visual illusion — composed of various fruit elements. It wasn’t the most memorable in terms of flavor intensity, but it showcased great technical skill and was enjoyable.

To finish, the restaurant offered a selection of biscuits accompanied by a sabayon — a warm, comforting and indulgent finale.

All in all, this is a high-level restaurant with evident culinary craftsmanship. The price point may feel slightly elevated for the overall value, but the Michelin star is certainly justified. The chef briefly came to the dining room to greet guests, which was appreciated, even if the interaction was brief.

One small area for improvement: the restrooms could use higher-end hand towels or cloths instead of simple paper, to better match the overall standard of the venue."

Eric D

"Found this place in the Michelin guide and we had 2 different dinner sets. We had a table by the window with the late setting sun. The food was inventive, each dish had layers of flavors and textures, recommended wines were excellent. We loved it and will come back again. For a 1 Michelin star restaurant, the price for the set dinners were reasonable for the quality and service."

Kelvin Chin