Alva In Ballabio

It's impossible not to stop at Alva for a snack or to purchase their specialties. Their cheeses and cured meats are incredible.

A shop selling typical Valtellina products, where you can buy all types of salami as well as bresaola and typical cheeses and many other products such as biscuits and flours. In addition, you can enjoy sandwiches and drinks inside, comfortably seated at the tables provided. Recommended.

An authentic dive into the flavors of the mountains! We started with an appetizer of bruschetta with lard and bruschetta with finely chopped artisanal bresaola, served with a drizzle of olive oil and cheese shavings—a perfect balance of intense yet delicate flavors. Next came pizzoccheri, a true house specialty. But the real star was the taragna polenta dish with venison stew: a rustic yet enveloping combination. The taragna, creamy and rich in cheese, is prepared according to tradition, and the venison was tender and delicious! But can we even talk about their panna cotta? INCREDIBLE! The location is truly unique; you can eat both inside and outside where their animals are kept... a must-see at least once or twice a year.

The menu offers well-crafted dishes, using quality ingredients and original pairings. The dishes I chose were meticulously presented and tasted, truly excellent. The wine and beverage selection is also interesting and well-thought out. Overall, a place I recommend without hesitation. The €7.50 menu is excellent for a quick lunch, but it's a shame the portions are a bit small.

Typical cuisine. You order, pay and sit down to eat in a warm and informal environment. They don't do table service. Seating on benches inside and outside (large garden). Tastes from deer meat, to snails... to the mega cutlet that doesn't fit in the sandwich, it's so big! Before leaving, some purchases of meat, cold cuts and cheeses are a must. The venison bresaola is spectacular! Stop!

Have you ever seen a kid in a toy store? That's me every time I enter Alva. They stock every delicacy in terms of food, including cured meats and cheeses typical of the Valsassina region. If you find a line at the entrance, don't worry: the service is fast and the staff is kind and welcoming!

We stumbled upon this place by chance before climbing to Piani dei Resinelli, while searching Google for a local supermarket. As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by a culinary paradise: all kinds of meat, traditional dishes, and a "snack" menu (much more than a snack: a portion of pasta, a sandwich, and wine) at a truly reasonable price. So, we decided to stop for lunch on the way back. The polenta was excellent, as were the pizzoccheri and the grilled sausages/braciole. The desserts were also delicious, especially the almond and jam cake. The place is very unique, and the outdoor space is lovely, with tables and a children's playground. As someone pointed out, perhaps the organization could be improved (despite the line, we still waited a short time) and the cleanliness of the outdoor restrooms. We'll definitely be back to try other "traditional" dishes. A pleasant and tasty discovery!

Amazing and stop for a sandwich, a first course, bruschetta, pizzoccheri, meat, cheeses, IT'S WORTH IT!!

Gastronomia ottima presso la quale trovare salumi, formaggi, prodotti tipici e locali di ogni genere oltre a poter consumare nella sala interna e nella zona esterna i piatti cucinati al momento dai panini agli antipasti ai primi ai secondi, assaggiati buoni pizzoccheri di gastronomia ad un prezzo ottimo!

Ogni volta che andiamo a Margno l’ALVA è una tappa obbligata. Ottimo cibo da gustare nel giardino, ottimi e genuini prodotti da portarsi a casa, personale sempre disponibile e sorridente. Soprattutto Stefano, new entry, simpatico e professionale. Grazie ALVA!