Where to eat in Mantua and surroundings. The best restaurants picked by Gambero Rosso

Mantua, framed by the River Mincio and its parks, is a city full of history and culture, and a visit is a must to discover its artistic and architectural treasures. Then prepare to taste traditional local dishes along with local wines, including excellent Lambrusco. Here are the best restaurants in Mantua and its Province.

Where to eat in Mantua

Il Cigno Trattoria dei Martini

Restaurant. An institution in Mantua, run by the same family with changeless passion and care. This trattoria has always been a noble and refined interpreter of the “cuisine of princes and people” of the Gonzaga tradition. In vogue for decades, it still wins everyone over with its classic style and memorable pumpkin tortelli, although the menu offers much pleasure. Fine wine and impressive dehors.

p.zza C. D’Arco, 1 - 0376327101

Caro Govi Ristorante

Ambassador of an ancient gastronomic history, descending from the recipe book elaborated at the Gonzaga court, the restaurant is reached in the direction of the magnificent Palazzo Te, and boasts a relaxed garden to enjoy in summer. From a glorious culinary past come suggestions such as pike in sauce, warm capon salad à la Bartolomeo Stefani (court chef in the Renaissance), and the bitter tortelli of Castel Goffredo. There’s also room for river fish, to which a tasting menu is dedicated, and a large chapter of fresh filled pasta, from pumpkin tortelli with Gonzaga sauce to broth agnoli. Half portions are available. Meat courses include oven-braised pork cheeks with polenta and escalloped duck breast with port sauce and acacia honey, and endive gratin. The wine list is valid and variegated, with a good selection of French bubbles. Friendly and qualified service.

via Gorizia, 13b - Tel. 0376.355133 – carlogoviristorante.it

Osteria dell'oca

Trattoria. A rustic and warm atmosphere, with wooden tables and essential equipment, is the ideal setting to merge yourself in the most genuine Mantuan culinary tradition, in a journey of flavours that satisfies and convinces. If there are at least two of you, don't miss the rich antipasto misto with cured meats, “gras pistà” (lard with herbs), polenta and giardiniera. Then it's on to risottos and fresh pasta with generous toppings, carbonata or musso (donkey meat) with polenta, cotechino (pork sausage) and, at the end, a mouth-watering version of zuppa inglese trifle.

via Trieste, 10 – tell. 0376 327171 – osteriadelloca.it

(opening photo courtesy of Osteria dell’oca)

Antica osteria Ai Ranari

Trattoria. A cosy location with over a century of history, it has kept a consistent quality over time, becoming one of the most reliable addresses in the city. People come here to taste traditional dishes, which are written day by day on a blackboard. Don't miss the stewed snails, the “sorbir d'agnoli in brodo”, risotto alla pilota, tortelli burro e salvia, pike in sauce, bollito misto and fried frogs, a morsel fit for kings. Sweet ending with the unfading sbrisolona. There’s good drinking, beers included.

Via Trieste, 11 - 0376 328431 – ranari.it

Osteria Regale

Restaurant. Just outside the centre, a restaurant of understated elegance furnished with originality and good taste, with a large, well-kept garden where you can sit in good weather. The warm welcome and careful service accompany the layover, marked by judiciously creative dishes with focused and well-presented flavours. The menu includes both land and seafood dishes, the fresh pastas are handmade and the desserts are original and mouth-watering. More than up to the mark is the choice of wines, with references to suit all budgets. Comfortable rooms are available to extend your stay.

Via Leopoldo Pilla, 13 – 03761620477 – Instagram

Lo Scalco Grasso Osteria Contemporanea

Restaurant. An address that satisfies both lovers of typical cuisine and those who want to try something innovative, all in a relaxed and pleasingly convivial atmosphere. Dishes from the classic Mantuan repertoire sit alongside lamb tartare with its ristretto and black truffle, black spaghetti with scallops crispy guanciale and citrus fruits, and Iberian pork chop with spices. A nice surprise is the wine list, with around 200 references (from the region, Italy and beyond) and opportunities to drink by the glass.

Via Trieste, 55 – 349 3747958 – loscalcograsso.it

Where to eat in Mantua’s surroundings

Dal Pescatore

Restaurant. Almost a century of history for this restaurant that represents a fairytale: the one of Cinderella who becomes a queen, but without the shortcut of a spell, but rather by making a career without ever betraying herself. The Santini family's fairytale dates back to 1926, when Antonio and his bride Teresa opened an inn on the River Oglio, "Vino e Pesce", and has continued from generation to generation up to another Antonio, the first one's grandson, who today, with his beloved Nadia, that electrify this restaurant that has few equals in Italy - but perhaps in Europe - for consistency, atmosphere and happiness rate. From a traveller's trattoria to a temple of Italian (and other) gastronomy, the step seems huge, but seen with the yardstick of the century, it is simply a natural one. Which continues with the sons of the two, Giovanni in the kitchen with his mother Nadia and Alberto in the dining room with his father Antonio, who also t as sommelier. A meal at Il Pescatore is an epic tale over the course of a few hours, a walk in paradise. You can choose from three menus: the country menu at 150 euro, all vegetable (the absolute simplicity of the spring asparagus with citrus mayonnaise enraptures); the seasonal menu at 210; the fisherman's menu at 290, which features perfectly accomplished dishes such as lobster terrine with Oscietra royal caviar and Tuscan olive oil, such as petit gris snails from the plains with an herb and sweet garlic sauce, such as the ceaseless pumpkin tortelli with butter and Parmigiano cheese, such as grilled eel with green radicchio from the garden. Closing with technical and warm desserts such as meringue with Bronte pistachio mousse, almonds and Marsala zabaglione. The wine list is a wine atlas, with thousands of labels for all tastes picked from all over the world. The service, basically perfect, makes anyone feel like Cinderella at court.

Canneto sull’Oglio (MN) - loc. Runate, 15 - 0376723001 – dalpescatore.com

Hostaria del Teatro

Restaurant. A well-kept and elegant address that stands out for the consistent quality of its proposal. Overlooking the theatre, it extends amid the dining room and a nice summer terrace. From the open kitchen, Claudio Truzzi moves with authority among the great classics, such as donkey and tuna tartare or the spaghettone aglio, olio, peperoncino e bottarga (spaghetti with garlic, oil, chilli pepper and roe), and valid surprises such as the delicious fusilli al torchio with bread, French butter, Cantabrian anchovies, parsley and lemon. Balanced and at a competitive price is the tasting menu. From the leavened products to the mouth-watering pastries, everything is homemade, with care and measured use of fats and seasonings. The wine cellar is truly remarkable with a leaning clearly towards wine and bubbles from beyond the Alps (take some advice). Service aligned, well managed by the owner’s wife in the dining room.

Castiglione delle Stiviere (MN) - via B. Ordanino, 5 – tel. 0376670813 – hostariadelteatro.it

Da Pietro

Restaurant. Osteria by name, it’s actually an elegant restaurant: charming rooms with a fireplace, refined mise en place, carpets and antique furnishings in a beautiful ancient building. Even the dehors is nicely arranged. Giampietro, aka Pietro, is the host, while his sister Fabiana is at the stove. The cuisine is convincing for its successful blend of tradition, territory, quality ingredients and intelligent creativity, flavours that are consistent and balanced at the same time. From the menu: snails, herbs, red garlic, Storo polenta and long pepper; pigeon agnolotti, their sauce and Grana Padano; veal kidney, black pepper and Cognac on mashed potatoes; marinated strawberry tart with bergamot sauce. Impeccable service, well-structured wine list, with a chance of drinking by the glass.

Castiglione delle Stiviere (MN) -via Chiassi, 19 – tel. 0376673718 – osteriadapietro.it

Hostaria Viola

Trattoria. For four generations, the Viola family has run this restaurant, first in Castel Goffredo and since 1978 here in Castiglione delle Stiviere, offering precise and mouth-watering cuisine with an eye always turned to tradition. The food is therefore Padano doc: valuable cold meats and cheeses, pike in Mantuan sauce, the famous triptych with stuffed pastas, the “cotechino dei colli morenici” (pork sausage) with mashed potatoes. The desserts must absolutely be tried, sbrisolona in primis. The wine side also is a source of pleasure: the cellar ranges from local bulk wine to French Champagne, with the possibility of drinking by the glass. Having a good time, in a likely modern but sincere osteria.

Castiglione delle Stiviere (MN) - via G. Verdi, 32 – tel. 0376670000 – hostariaviola.com

La Locanda delle Grazie

Trattoria. It was not easy to take over and above all give endurance to the great work of Fernando and Daniela Bellintani, who made the Locanda a symbol of Mantuan cuisine, both in the proposal and in the spirit of hospitality. Yet the young people now at the helm carry on the place’s good name remarkably well, maintaining its “homemade” fundamentals with a caring welcome and the synergy with small local producers. Even the cuisine, only slightly remodelled in a more modern key, remains closely linked to the territory: cured meats, cheeses, stuffed pastas made comme il faut, some 'exoticism' such as polenta and scopeton (herring) of Veneto origin. Having always a good and relaxing time, without spending too much and washing down with well-chosen local wines.

Curtatone (MN) – fraz. Grazie via Pio X, 2 – tel. 0376348038 

L’Ambasciata

It is a meaningful and embracing hug of tradition that binds the Ambasciata with its territory: starting with the cuisine of Mantua, represented here in its masterpieces (the pumpkin tortelli are excellent), but not only. Because it is ahead the layout of the menu, with that reference to the "first and second sideboard services" that recalls the customs of the Gonzaga court, that chef Matteo Ugolotti intends to offer his guests a gorgeous stay over a Renaissance flavour. The strong point is the choice of quality raw materials together with precise and always recognisable cooking and combinations. The crispy moult duck with orange served at the table is worth the stop. A venue of unique and matchless charm. Service with moves and rythym of a time that no longer exists. Wide-ranging wine list with special attention to Champagne.

Quistello (MN) - p.tta Ambasciatori del Gusto, 1 (già via Martiri di Belfiore, 33) – 366 560481 - ristorantelambasciata.eu