Osteria Francescana In Modena

A once-in-a-lifetime experience! The menu may be a little too unique, but overall, it was an unforgettable experience.

The best restaurant and the best experience. Everything was perfect, the ambiance, the staff and the food and everything was definitely worth its price and justified the interest of the audience. After dinner, we were approached by chef Massimo, who is a very warm person and open to talking to guests. I will definitely be back. Thank you for everything to the entire Francescana Family and greetings from Zagreb.

The experience didn't live up to expectations. For my taste, the tasting menu features some top-notch highlights, accompanied by several options that didn't impress me, or perhaps I didn't quite grasp the meaning of. The idea seems to prevail over the execution of the dish, and I didn't feel like I was savoring unique ingredients with a history and sophistication I would have expected from a restaurant of this caliber. There were a few "pamperings" during the meal, such as a welcome from the chef or something to accompany the coffee. While unnecessary, these demonstrate thoughtfulness and are undoubtedly appreciated. When choosing the coffee, which is well-extracted, I would have appreciated details about the blend, origin, and available options. The wine, spirit, and beer pairings were satisfying, allowing me to explore products I was unfamiliar with. The dining room service was excellent, with young and knowledgeable staff, elegant but not stuffy, and ready to respond professionally to all requests. However, we noted some lapses in style from one waiter, who displayed excessive informality and confidence in various situations, such as explaining dishes with his hands in his pockets or leaning on the table with both hands. The premises are simple and elegant, but the lack of windows in the room where we dined made you feel a bit isolated from the outside. The service was beautiful. Overall, I was not satisfied. I wouldn't choose the tasting menu again, but I would opt for the à la carte menu.

Well worth the hype, this was easily the best culinary experience in my life. Every dish is superbly crafted, and genuinely surprising. Bold and delicate flavours, simple and complex forms, all juxtaposed with skillful balance and flawless presentation. Personally found all dishes to taste sublime, definitely do not lack in flavour and especially inventiveness. Wine pairing was... Surprising, and I came away having learned something new. Icing on the cake: the staff, the most caring, attentive and welcoming I ever experienced at this level. They made the dining experience flow effortlessly without pretence or pomp elevating the experience of every dish. At the end of the dinner we were given a personalized envelope with our copy of the menu and a note from Chef Bottura. Last note: the other guest had a dairy allergy and the chefs edited the entire menu to accommodate for it. DEFINITELY RECOMMENDED. Worth every euro, and personally I would say it's reasonably priced for what you get: an unforgettable dining experience.

Fantastic experience. Having Massimo there was the cherry on top.

There is a reason this restaurant has been voted best in the world. The dining rooms are small and very quiet but I would imagine it is so you can focus fully on the delights on offer. Be prepared and do your homework as this is expensive but for a good reason. A once in a lifetime experience for me as a treat from my son.

The standard ambience is consistent with others of this caliber. The service is excellent in every way, knowledgeable and responsive to every request, elegant and discreet. The wine selection and recommended pairings are excellent, and the menu overall is excellent, incorporating traditional elements. Although this is common at other establishments, I find the portions too small (my only negative point)...but that's just my personal opinion...for others, especially with a 15-course menu, it will be just right.

A wonderful experience! Common ingredients, crafted with creativity and skill, were enhanced and brought to life in every dish. The menu was an incredible crescendo! I'm honored to have had the opportunity to eat at the Osteria and hope to do so again. The staff was impeccable. The expense isn't for everyone, but we're talking about 3 Michelin stars, and it's worth it, at least once in a lifetime.

An unforgettable experience. It was a birthday gift for me, and I couldn't have received a better one. The food is truly exceptional; every dish tells a story and is meticulously crafted. It's a mind-blowing experience in every way. The entire staff, including the chef, puts a care and attention that is clearly evident in every detail.

3.5/5 Like so many other people who have written reviews here, coming to Francescana was a long-time dream. We had been to other Michelin-starred restaurants, but the expectations from Francescana were sky-high. We went for the tasting menu, designed by the chef in honour of Francescana turning 30 years old, so I can't speak for some of the iconic dishes as seen on TV, because we haven't tried those. However, one would expect the anniversary tasting menu to still be mind-blowing. Some of the dishes were sensational: the Zucca, "Terra e Mare", the "Jazz Duck" and "La Bonissima". Some were average, like the Fast Bees, Slow Honey, which tasted basically like yoghurt and honey. And some, like "La Genovese" were below average, with the pasta being more chewy than it should have been. The cutlery and glasses had stains and scratches on them, which we normally don't mind, but this is a restaurant that is held to the highest standards. The service wasn't, in our opinion, a 3 Michelin star service. We had the waiters behind us whispering and laughing. We had 4 different people explaining the dishes, and when they did explain them, they looked around the room, like children reciting a poem. Overall, I'm happy we had this experience but I expected more.