Osteria della Faina In Ameno

Cozy, super friendly people and simple but tasty food!

Sunday lunch with excellent polenta, I with wild boar stew and my husband with porcini mushrooms, everything excellent, kind and capable of satisfying the customers in the dining room.... we must definitely return!

You've landed in paradise! A very warm welcome, the food was delicious, as were the drinks and dessert. We felt very comfortable. This is a must-visit. A definite recommendation. Thank you very much.

What an excellent place. We booked on the same day as we were staying in Orta San Giulio. I highly recommend that you eat out of town if you want to eat decent food. The waitress spoke English and helped us with the menu. The chef came out to speak with us, even though we didn't speak any Italian. Somehow we understood each other, which was really nice. We had local dishes, all nicely cooked and full of flavour. I would recommend this place anytime. The level of service was great.

After Saturday in Orta San Giulio, on Sunday morning my wife and I explored the villages above the lake. Looking at the reviews, we booked a table at the inn. Alice welcomed us on the veranda, a lovely temperature, and lush greenery. Our appetizer was fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and anchovies (excellently balanced), wild boar salami, raw ham with melon, vegetables in oil, veal in tuna sauce, and two types of cheese. Clean flavors and a tasty selection. For the first course, like true Lombards, we went for the radicchio risotto creamed with Piedmontese toma. This dish was also incredibly tasty. The second course, given our age, was too much for us, so we overdid it with a homemade donut with cream and blackberry jam. What can I say, between Alice's kindness and the dishes... ttTop

If you are looking for an authentic italian Restaurant experience, this is the Place to go!

A definite recommendation for authentic Italian food! During our stay in Tabarino near Ameno (there's a charming Airbnb there, by the way!), we had the pleasure of dining there twice. Nowhere else on Lake Orta or Lake Maggiore have we been served such a magnificent meal, and we were treated so warmly to it. <3

We were in Ameno for a retreat and found ourselves at 5:30 PM on a September Sunday, starving with nowhere to eat (all the bars were closed). We took a chance and called Osteria della Faina. The place was closed, but Pietro, the owner, kindly replied that he could come over and make us an appetizer. I expected some bread, a crust of cheese, and an olive, if all went well. We arrived and were greeted by the music of Caruso, who was playing in a very characteristic place with its own identity. Pietro had us sit in the garden beneath the mature vines, which gave off a sweet, intense aroma. He immediately brought us delicious salami and goat cheese, and then surprised us with fresh pasta (made by him, I imagine), wild boar, and a superb panna cotta with mint and plum jam. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere was truly magical. Thanks Pietro!

The restaurant enjoys a spectacular location atop a forest on the slopes of Lake Orta, suspended between earth and sky. The terrace is delightful in spring and summer. In midsummer, the strawberry grape pergola is delightful. The staff is extremely kind and courteous. The owner-chef is truly passionate about his work, which is based on top-quality local and regional ingredients, unusual herbs, and exquisitely selected meats. Cured meats, cheeses, and desserts are served with perfection. There are some things that could be improved: the veal with tuna sauce isn't served on the same plate as the cured meats and cheeses; the wild boar ragù, excellent in many ways, could be more consistent and flavorful. These are suggestions that the chef's helpfulness and open-mindedness will certainly take into account. Coffee and house liqueur under the pergola: priceless! The bill is payable.

Very good food and welcoming and friendly staff