Eating out in Madésimo

Madesimo has a dozen restaurants and cafes catering for all tastes. If you get the opportunity you should visit one of the traditional crotti, hollows in the rock where local cheeses, salami, cold meat and wines are preserved. These are some of the basic ingredients of the area's cuisine - typically made up of simple but nourishing dishes. Some of those which survive today and should be tasted include the local pizzoccheri, polenta, Alpine cheeses, traditional cakes and chestnuts. Gourmets will be tempted by the excellent brisaola from here and by the violino of dry meat, a refined goat ham. Il Cantinone on Via A. De Giacomi is a good place to start if you want to try some of these traditional foods. The restaurant serves local wines and has a signature dish, Pizzoccheri of Gordona, made according to the recipe of the grandmother of the family. La Meridiana is a better choice if you want a lighter snack, international dishes or fast food. It is located in the town centre, within easy reach of the ski-lifts. Soldanella is also central and close to the lifts. The family run restaurant offers both international and Valtellina cuisine and also operates a pizzeria-bar. For something special Dogana Vegia is located in the building which was the customs house of the Italian-Swiss border in 1600. The environment, heated by an open fire and lit by paraffin lamps, is very refined. The cuisine includes local traditional dishes as well as special tastings. Reservations are compulsory.