Food and scenery are two things Italy does extremely well, so it’s not hard to find a restaurant with a view here. We’ve picked out eight of the very best – from fine dining venues overlooking Verona’s medieval sights, to Michelin-starred meals next to Lake Como. Don’t forget your camera…
Hotel Caesar Augustus, Capri
Lucullo Terrace, the new poolside restaurant at the Caesar Augustus, makes for a memorable dining experience. Set by the hotel’s infinity pool, it has gorgeous views over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.
It’s a relaxed spot by day, and at night, it becomes one of the island’s most elegant restaurants. You can also book a romantic terrace for two for a sunset aperitif or candlelit dinner.
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina, Sicily
From the dining room and terrace of the Timeo Restaurant, you can enjoy incredible views of Mount Etna and Capo Taormina.
The Italian and Sicilian dishes are delicious, with seasonal ingredients such as Pachino cherry tomatoes, Bronte pistachios, capers from Salina and red garlic from Nubia. You can taste some of the finest regional wines, too – try Nero d’Avola and Moscato di Pantelleria.
Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, Lake Como
For Michelin-starred cuisine in Bellagio, there’s one place to go – Mistral. It’s incredibly elegant with a lovely terrace overlooking the lake.
It’s the only restaurant in Italy with a full molecular cuisine menu. Chef Ettore Bocchi uses his scientific knowledge to create exciting variations on Italian classics such as liquid nitrogen ice cream, turbot cooked in melted sugars and sugar-free meringues.
Grand Hotel Capodimonte, Sorrento
There are two fantastic restaurants here, Le Ginestre and Le Querce. From both the dining rooms, you can see spectacular views of Sorrento and the Bay of Naples.
The menu offers both traditional Neapolitan fare and international cuisine. In the summer, they serve dinners on Le Querce’s terrace and there’s a weekly ‘Sorrento Soirée’ where you can try delicious local dishes.
Belmond Villa San Michele, Florence
The 15th-century La Loggia restaurant has one of the best views of Florence going. The Belmond Villa San Michele is set up in the Fiesole hills outside Florence, so the restaurant’s arched terrace has sweeping views right across the city.
Come for dinner and watch as the sun sets, painting Florence’s terracotta rooftops gold, before the city’s twinkling lights start to come on. In terms of the food, dishes include duck breast with an orange honey and caramelised peach sauce, lobster risotto and, of course, bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak).
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice
Hotel Monaco’s Grand Canal Restaurant sits, as you’d expect by the name, right next to the Grand Canal. It boasts one of the prime spots, too – across the water are the islands of Giudecca and San Giorgo, plus the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.
The menu focuses on Venetian dishes, which means plenty of fresh fish (the seafood risotto is the best I’ve ever tasted!).
Due Torri Hotel, Verona
The Due Torri’s new Gourmet Grill restaurant is the perfect place for any budding Romeos to whisk their Juliet to. It’s perched on the hotel’s private terrace, high above the city’s rooftops. The views from here stretch right across Verona, taking in the Lamberti Tower, the Duomo and St. Peter’s Castle.
Mains include wild duck with spicy pear and pork chop with apple mustard, while the tempting dessert list ticks off classics like tiramisu and white chocolate mousse.
Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco, Tuscany
The Renaissance Tuscany might be set in its own 1,500-acre estate, but the views from its fine dining restaurant, Le Salette, reach right across the Serchio Valley to the medieval town of Barga.
The focus is on authentic Italian cuisine, using homemade pasta and organic ingredients sourced mainly from the local area (you can even head out to the market with the chef to pick the ingredients for your own personalised menu).
Have you found any great restaurants with a view in Italy?
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