La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi

We booked this restaurant because of a random recommendation and must say it was more of a miss than a hit. We were in a good mood in general but when in Como there are some high expectations regarding restaurants, especially from this hotel and I would rather suggest other place or at least to be seated on the lake but NOT upstairs. We delayed our reservation for half an hour where someone on the line told us they will do it for us but they are not very fond of it. When we arrived the restaurant had only 2 tables taken, the rest - empty. Ok. The food was an average at the best, drinks no, skip it. Aperol was so big and served in a 1/2L glass - there is nothing classy in that. nor upscale what I expected. The staff not so attentive, barely there. Atmosphere very dead, as soon as we were finished we left. Just the view was very nice.

The property and gardens of the grand hotel tremezzo where the restaurant is located are extremely pretty. The restaurant is good but honestly not extremely good which you may expect for EUR 250 per person exclusing drinks. The views and location do make up for much.

This was my first time dining at La Terrazza Gualtiero Marchesi at the Tremezzo 5 star hotel by Lake Como. The overall atmosphere of the hotel is beautifully and luxuriously decorated, and the restaurant itself is equally impressive in terms of layout and design, making you feel special from the very first step (congratulations for the candles at the entrance). We were 4 and ordered the 5-course tasting menu, and every dish was excellent, especially: • Astice alla crema di peperoni (1978) The lobster was perfectly sweet and tender, paired with a smooth sweet pepper sauce. The flavors were perfectly balanced and absolutely delicious. • Riso, oro e zafferano (1981) The staff explained the story behind this dish wonderfully, helping me appreciate its uniqueness. The saffron risotto with gold flakes was delicate, and every bite was a true feast for both the eyes and the palate. The other courses were equally delightful, the seabass more than the veal. In addition to the food, I also had the opportunity to visit the kitchen, which was spectacular and very clean. The executive chef greeted me warmly, making me feel welcomed and giving insight into the professional kitchen management. Other highlights: • Some staff were cheerful, friendly, and provided excellent guidance about the dishes and wine pairings, making the dining experience smooth and enjoyable. • The plating and wine pairings were well thought out, enhancing the flavors of the dishes. Areas for improvement: • Some team members seemed unenthusiastic, which slightly affected the overall dining experience. • The bread served was somewhat stale, as if it had been stored for a while, and lacked freshness. - The dessert, Millefoglie, was good to see but really nothing special, not the grand final that you expect from such a unique (and expensive!) restaurant! Overall, this was a highly impressive experience in terms of food, decor, and atmosphere, though there are many points that in my opinion should be improved, to fully satisfy the expectations of a particularly attentive client, like my husband and I.

We visited this place this summer and left quite disappointed. It had been highly recommended, so my expectations were very high. Unfortunately, the only friendly person we encountered was the hostess – and that was it. It took a very long time before a waiter came to our table, and when I mentioned that I was hungry and asked if I could finally get a menu, the head waiter replied that he was very hungry too and walked away. Such a “joke” was absolutely inappropriate for a restaurant of this level. The service overall was unpleasant, and it felt like we were being treated differently compared to other tables. With the tables where ladies were accompanied by men, the staff seemed warm and welcoming, but with my friend and me the attitude was completely different. The food itself was not particularly tasty, and I didn’t enjoy it. My mood had already been spoiled by the poor hospitality. Of course, the atmosphere and the views were beautiful – that was the only thing that saved the evening. It would be wonderful if the staff could treat all guests with the same friendliness and smiles, whether they spend €1,000 or €250.

Big expectations, big disappointment! Beautiful views and exquisite food, but we were disappointed with the service overall. This was supposed to be a memorable night celebrating our 17th anniversary, but it turned out not special because of the poor and snobby service. The hostes couldn’t find our reservation and had an attitude about it, like if we were lying. Not friendly, not welcoming at all! The sommelier didn’t offer any suggestions on wine and when we told him what we had chosen he was very rude grabbing the menu from my husband’s hand and just walking away like if we had offended him. He apologized later after we complained he gave us a glass of champagne, but still with the same bad attitude, not sincere. Our waiter Diogo was very nice and attentive, I think the manager should hire him to train others. I would say the whole experience felt too touristy and not personal. I would go back for drinks at the hotel bar with the same views, not to La Terazza. The hotel is beautiful with the most beautiful gardens!