Restaurant: La Rampolina
La Rampolina seems to have become the office-away-from-the-office for the language school. We've had a few fun dinners up here since last summer; we've talked about new plans for the school, talked about new tours and travels, and talked about food. And most importantly for me, we always talk only in Italian. It's one of the places we hope to bring students to as well.
This is the path to reach La Rampolina, so you can understand why it's difficult to see the restaurant from the road. The entrance is around the left side of that building, up some stairs.
Rampolina is definitely not a touristic restaurant. First of all, it's high up in the hills, 4km from Stresa, in the frazione of Stresa called Campino. Secondly, even once up here in Campino it's difficult to see the restaurant, as it is set down below and off from the road, reachable only on a long path of descending stairs and then up a back staircase into the restaurant. Parking is nearly impossible, unless you get super lucky or are able to maneuver your car into one of those creative parking positions that I've witnessed here. (continued ... )
The menu is posted in this glass case on the road, at the top of the path. In addition to the menu there are also specials each night.
Upon entering upstairs you'll find this three-sided bar, attractively lined with open shelves, glasses and bottles.
But in spite of all these reasons, or really, maybe for them, Rampolina has become one of my favorite places. Oh, and the pasta and pizza are really good. Even in the dead of winter La Rampolina was open, and busy. They were serving a special Raclette dinner and other warming, wintry foods when I was there in December.
They also had live guitar music in the corner that evening. The inside main room was filled. A couple of people had brought their dogs with them which, if well behaved, are welcome here.
I really enjoyed this cheese plate as an antipasta.
They also had live guitar music in the corner that evening. The inside main room was filled. A couple of people had brought their dogs with them which, if well behaved, are welcome here.
In addition to the main room there is another inside room which overlooks the lake. And outside in the garden, tables are set up on the grass in the summer, alongside the outdoor bar.
The view, well I think the view is one of the best of the lake from anywhere. From this height and position above Stresa we have a clear view of all three Borromeo Islands as well as the view uplake towards Switzerland.
These are the two inside rooms. There is live music in the room on the left on certain nights. The glass room offers stunning vistas over the lake.
The entrance path to La Rampolina is just to my right in this photo. Great food and a great photo opportunity.
The pin marks La Rampolina. It's necessary to drive up the winding via per Someraro from Stresa, Carciano, or Baveno to arrive here.
At night, the view of the islands and Verbania across the gulf is unparalleled.
Discussing some important school business. Or maybe just how good the pizza is.
If you don't have a car the way to reach here is by taxi, and this way you won't need to worry about parking. Arrange for the taxi to come back for you for your return to Stresa. By car the trip takes only 5 minutes. Hearty hikers can walk up to Campino; this would take a good hour from the center of Stresa. If you decide to come up for lunch, there is bus service from Stresa to Campino (schedule here) and the other frazione; this makes for a nice little excursion to see these charming villages, the views, and lunch at Rampolina.
Ristorante Pizzeria La Rampolina
Via per Someraro, 13
28838 Campino di Stresa (VB)
Telephone: +39 0323 92 34 15
closed on Mondays.
closed on Mondays.
all photos owned by Stresa Sights or La Rampolina
Category Article food, restaurants
