Salò’s best restaurant is without a doubt Antico Trattoria Delle Rose, a casually elegant spot in town, which is as likely to be filled with locals having a family meal as well-heeled visitors. Guests can dine in the main dining room, but the charming backyard terrace is the preferred spot to feast on uber-fresh cuisine, including everything from lakefish with soft polenta to homemade tortelli filled with local cheese and scented with thyme. Children are taken care of as well; picky eaters can order a simple bowl of pasta.

Head to Ciocolat for the best gelato in Gargnano. The gelateria stocks all the usual flavors (passion fruit, hazelnut) but it’s the creative ones that make it unique; those who like a kick to their chocolate will love the chili-inflected flavor.

Located in the historic city center of Sirmione, the Michelin-starred La Rucola welcomes patrons with its traditional interiors and haute cuisine. The restaurant is particularly special for an upscale lunch after touring Sirmione. Dishes might include scampi-filled ravioli and a haunch of suckling pig with beetroot puree and cocoa powder, but those who desire something simpler can opt for one of the pastas on offer, including a decadent cacio e pepe.

Opened in the late 1960s, this one-Michelin-starred restaurant is the big night out option in Gargnano. Diners can choose between two tasting menus or opt for the à la carte menu, which includes elevating but comforting dishes like a lemon risotto for two and lamb with rosemary and thyme. La Tortuga is a destination restaurant, and worth working into every trip to Garda.

The family-run Osteria di Mezzo occupies a quiet storefront just steps from the waterfront in Salò. Inside the charming dining room, punctuated by exposed brick accents and arched ceilings, locals and visitors dine on classic Italian cuisine like fish stew with sausage and fresh pastas (which can be made gluten-free) while sipping one of the local wines on offer.

After driving up a maze of impossibly narrow streets, Riolet is revealed at the top of a charming village on the Gardone Riviera. This family-run haunt is a favorite among locals (and in-the-know visitors) for simple cuisine and a homey atmosphere; for those who have visited, it will come as no surprise that the titular Ernesto has been manning the indoor grill for decades. The patio seating is no-frills, with white plastic chairs and checkered tablecloths, and the cuisine is similarly straightforward; grilled meats and fish and homemade pasta are the house specialties. And while the drive to the restaurant is daunting, those brave enough to tackle the hairpin turns are rewarded with stunning views of Isola del Garda and the lake below.

Located on an inconspicuous alleyway off the main street in Gargnano and identifiable only by a sign painted with three ducks, Trattoria San Martino is perhaps the most charming hideaway in town. Alfresco tables line the cave-like arched passageway, which leads down to the waterfront, where the best seats in the house, two lakeside tables, are located. While the hole-in-the-wall feels like a hidden gem, it is highly esteemed in the area and a favorite of visiting celebrities (Tilda Swinton, whose portrait hangs on the wall, is a fan). Meals are filled with such homey dishes as penne all’arrabbiata (served in a mini cocotte) and lemon chicken and are best finished with a stop at Ciocolat Gelateria, located just down the street.

Perched above the town of Malcesine and reached via winding stairs is the one-Michelin-starred Vecchia Malcesine, a colorful restaurant with stunning lake views. Local produce inspires the cuisine—the three tasting menus are inspired by the water, land and garden—which might include such dishes as braised pork with polenta and a decadent lakefish carbonara.