LA CUCINA della Darbia In Orta san giulio

I visited La Darbia for lunch. The place is stunning, nestled in nature, with breathtaking views over Lake Orta. The style blends perfectly with the surroundings. The food is made with top-quality ingredients, and the vegetables come from the on-site garden, which you can even see while dining. You can opt for a 5-course tasting menu, with the option to add the chef's signature dishes (around €100 each, portions for two). We went à la carte. The quality and taste of the dishes are undeniably high, but the portions are quite small. So either keep the prices with larger portions, or lower the prices while keeping the dishes small, allowing you to try more items; at the moment, they feel more like “bites” than full courses. Aside from this, the place is absolutely worth a visit: both the food and the view make the trip worthwhile—maybe next time staying in one of the suites for the full experience. Let me start by saying that I was here for lunch and did not stay at the hotel. The location is beautiful, surrounded by nature, with a breathtaking view of Lake Orta. The style blends perfectly with the surrounding environment. The food uses the highest quality ingredients, and the vegetables come from the garden, which is visible even while you eat. You can choose a five-course tasting menu, with the option of adding the chef's signature dishes (about €100 each, portions for two). We opted for the à la carte option. The quality and flavor of the dishes are unquestionable, truly top-notch, but the portions are too small, especially considering they aren't part of the tasting menu but were chosen à la carte. So either they maintain these prices with larger portions, or they lower the prices by keeping the dishes small so you can also try other dishes; for now, we can consider them more like "bites" than actual courses. This detail aside, the place is definitely worth a visit: the quality and view are worth the trip, perhaps in the future staying in one of the suites to enjoy the full experience.

Not worth the price. The chef’s tasting menu consisted only of vegetarian dishes, save for the last dish of the night. That’s great if you like vegetarian food, not so if you’re a meat eater, also not so for the price. The cocktails were superb. Everything else was just okay - lacking in depth. Food aside, the service was lovely (the blankets provided were divine) and the setting was beautiful. Would I go back? Maybe but stay away from the chef’s table - it’s was not worth it in our minds.

I spent my birthday here at La Darbia and I must say I was very happy with my choice.!! I was pampered... by the welcome, the service, the enchanting atmosphere, both for the eyes and the palate. Excellent food... You can perceive a work philosophy based on harmony, complicity, and collaboration among the staff... Congratulations, starting from Chef Matteo's welcoming and dazzling smile to all the staff... See you soon

Let’s start with the positives: the area is beautiful overlooking Lake Orta and the most famous 3 Michelin star in the region. From the moment you park at the designated car park for the restaurant, you will walk through their organic garden where they get all their fruit, veg and herbs. We came for lunch and ate outside which was a real vibe as we took in the view. Even if it rains, most tables are protected by the above trees which created an even more romantic setting. Now the negatives: I thought the food was very average; especially considering the high prices. La Darbia is clearly going for a Michelin star given the service, location and prices but there is a reason they don’t have one in my opinion. We had the tasting menu which is 5 course meal, and tried both the vegetarian and meat options. I thought the pasta course was the best followed by the dessert. The other courses I will forget about by next week, average at best. I will also stress than my partner’s vegetarian menu was better than the meat one. Service was good, staff mostly spoke English. Professional service. Overall: it was an ok meal, an amazing atmosphere but wouldn’t go back.

Llegamos sin ninguna expectativa específica, ya que no estábamos familiarizados con el lugar, pero nos quedamos completamente impresionados por el personal excepcional, el entorno impresionante, el ambiente cálido y acogedor, y la comida exquisita acompañada de menús de vinos perfectamente maridados con y sin alcohol.

Simply stunning. If you can, stay at La Darbia too! Also the bistrot in the kitchen garden outside is the perfect place for a drink before/after the meal.

Amazing atmosphere, service and food! Everything is thought through details and beautiful view

Magical place, impeccable cuisine and service.

Wonderful location with breathtaking views, especially in the Dehors, very professional and kind service. Fine cuisine and good service.

Location incantevole curata nei minimi dettagli. Personale attento ed accogliente. Cucina perfetta con piatti della tradizione rivisitati in modo impeccabile, come il morone e la quaglia che non si trovano in tutti i ristoranti. Chef Matteo Monfrinotti …talmente avanti che se si guarda indietro vede il futuro!!👏👏👏👍👍