A warmly run, tucked-away Lake Como wine bar offering excellent regional wines, carefully explained tastings, quality charcuterie and cheese, plus a memorable terrace and cellar setting.
Cantina Follie earns its standing through exceptional food quality and outstanding service knowledge, with staff consistently praised for wine expertise and personalized hospitality. The distinctive cellar setting and lake-oriented terrace create genuine destination appeal, though modest inconsistencies in speed and comfort prevent a higher tier. Strong execution across quality and service dimensions anchors a reliably excellent experience.
Hidden above the main street, Cantina Follie feels like a small discovery rather than a conventional restaurant: climb the stairs, settle into the cellar or terrace, and let the owners guide the evening. Reviews repeatedly describe a calm, intimate atmosphere, with one guest capturing the appeal as a tucked-away place where “time flew by” over wine, cheese and conversation. The kitchen is deliberately focused rather than ambitious: regional cured meats, bresaola, cheeses, piadine, a pizza slice, salads and traditional desserts are designed to support the wine. The real performance is the tasting guidance—staff explain provenance, tailor recommendations and make local products feel special without the formality of a full fine-dining room. It suits couples, curious wine drinkers and travelers wanting a slower, more personal Lake Como stop. Families are welcome, and one recent review specifically praises the owner’s attention to a three-year-old child. The menu has approachable options such as Margherita pizza, classic piadina, Caprese salad, gelato, cheesecake and crème brûlée, though this is fundamentally a wine-and-charcuterie venue rather than a children’s restaurant. Picky eaters should find a few safe choices, but the strongest experience is aimed at adults sharing boards and tastings.
Area vibe: Picturesque lakeside tourist corridor known for villas, ferry connections and scenic promenades.
Safety: Generally safe, quiet evenings, low crime but limited late-night services and lighting in small towns.
What's nearby: Near Tremezzo waterfront, ferry terminals, Villa Carlotta, lakeside promenades and boutique cafés.
The €12 local meat and cheese platters are the safest starting point, but the bresaola carpaccio and regional desserts are worth considering too.
Plan for stairs, a hidden entrance, and shareable rather than generous portions, especially if you choose a fixed package.
Hidden above the main street, it combines a cellar interior, lake-facing terrace, and unhurried wine-and-conversation atmosphere.