La Cambusa In Varenna

06/10/2025: A landmark. The salted butter and spectacular appetizers. Osteria Il Camino is located at Via Provinciale 33, Ballabio (LC), not far from the exit of the tunnel that connects the Lario road with the climb to Valsassina—making it the perfect stop for a gourmet meal when heading up into the mountains. The restaurant presents itself as a reimagined traditional mountain restaurant: natural materials, wood and stone, warm walls, a large fireplace that gives the place its name and character, and a spacious dining room that manages to maintain a rustic yet elegant intimacy. In warmer seasons, there's also a terrace for those who prefer to eat al fresco. In short, the atmosphere exudes a sense of familiarity with style: it's not a "rough cabin," but a space where every detail—lighting, materials, table layout—is carefully considered. Il Camino's culinary philosophy is clearly local, featuring mountain dishes, reinterpretations of local classics, and a few forays into lakeside tradition.  The chef (and sommelier) is Pietro Agostani, a young and passionate man who also oversees the restaurant's wine selection.

25/09/2025: Well-kept and clean place, good service, good food too (perhaps the portions are a little small), anyway good value for money.