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Pricimo ScoreHidden Gem
Real-deal Italian dining at Il Portico (no nonsense, just skill)
Ristorante Il Portico is a refined Italian eatery located in Appiano Gentile, right by Piazza della Libertà. Come here when you want a proper sit-down meal where the kitchen clearly knows what it’s doing—people rave about the full experience from starter to dessert, plus wine and coffee, all hitting the mark.
The vibe is classic and confident: seasonal plates that taste like they started the same morning at the market. Expect beautifully handled local ingredients, thoughtful pacing, and that rare feeling that every course has a point. If you’re into chefs who cook with restraint and precision (not Instagram gimmicks), Il Portico delivers—some diners even call the chef wildly underrated.
WHAT: Italian restaurant. WHERE: Piazza della Libertà, 36. WHY VISIT: market-driven cooking and a polished, unrushed meal. PRICE RANGE: mid-to-high, but the value shows up in the craft—this is the opposite of paying extra for a pretty plate and nothing else. For Appiano Gentile restaurant options, this is the one that earns your euros.
Insider tip: Go for a long lunch and let the team guide you—build a meal across courses with starter-to-dessert, then finish with an espresso and you’ll understand why people keep coming back.
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Frieda Schellekens-Vreeman
a week agoSalvo Petrone
2 weeks agoHow do you say in these cases...? It was an experience, not just a dinner...! You absolutely have to try it to believe it.
diego
3 weeks agoA place that warms the heart and delights the palate. You can feel the true passion, from the management to the kitchen, which is executed with great skill. Well done to everyone, from the first to the last: the kitchen and the dining room work in perfect harmony. It's a great place to be, and the food is even better. Thank you for existing and, in these challenging times for the restaurant industry, for persevering.
Fabrizio Sommaruga
a month agoGreat experience
Angelo Giovanni Nardomarino
a month agoIn Como's touristy, mid- to low-quality cuisine, at ridiculously high prices, Il Portico is always a guarantee. Chef Paolo is as close to a humble artist as you can get. He takes exceptional ingredients and treats them with incredible grace and technique. His skill shines through in the simple things. I've tried his pickled chestnuts and horseradish giardiniera...and the incredible thing is that these dishes aren't even on the menu; they're a surprise before the meal. And when you start like this, you can only enjoy everything else. Truly incredible. I always love returning because it's a warm, welcoming place where the food is divine. You still have the same surprise you felt when you sat down at Grandma's table on Sundays and didn't know what you were eating, but you knew it would be delicious and warm your soul. A special mention goes to all the staff...very kind and knowledgeable. A discreet and gentle presence, yet extremely attentive. I brought my wife, who is celiac and pregnant, and despite their fixed menu, they prepared everything with unique delicacy. Thank you for existing.