The best restaurants in Langhe: here a list of our favourites

After a meal at Agriturismo La Morra, the last diners remained in silence on the outdoor terrace on a sunny summer day. It was peaceful, with a gentle breeze and clucking chickens nearby. The photo exclaims, “This is heavenly!” The food is simple, well-made, and delicious, with a young, welcoming, and knowledgeable staff and exceptional wines. There’s an article by Denise about it. Don’t miss the hazelnut cake with fior di latte gelato. Agricola Brandini’s Agriturismo, in a scenic spot in La Morra, perfectly blends tradition, modernity, and sustainability. There’s also a nice pool, but remember, you’re primarily here for the food!

Advice from Valentina

Hostaria dai Musi is a beautiful dining establishment in the very heart of Alba. It’s an elegant venue with an entire wall dedicated to wines. Their menu is always unique, with a focus on the local cuisine, but also with a significant presence of high-quality seafood. I’m completely in love with the saffron rice with raw shrimp and buffalo cream. Not to take anything away from the gobbi rice and grilled cabbage, which have a completely unexpected flavor! There’s a delightful surprise for dessert, but I’ll let you discover it directly at Hostaria.

Advice from Denise

Diano d’Alba is truly a haven of culinary excellence. We ended up at Osteria il Cortile for a warm February lunch. Here, you’ll find everything you’re looking for in the Langhe. Beautiful, pink veal with tuna sauce, check. A stunning view of the gentle hills, check. Local wines galore, check! The Osteria has large windows to enjoy the scenery as if we were in a painting (there’s even a swing with a view of the vineyards) and wonderful artwork. The menu, needless to say, is a celebration of all things Piedmont with top-quality products. I felt like I was drowning in the Castelmagno cheese gnocchi, as if I hadn’t seen cheese in ages. Everything was memorable, including the desserts!

Advice from Denise

La Morra is always in our heart… Whether it’s summer, winter, or one of those in-between seasons that seem to no longer exist, Locanda la Fontanazza is your ideal choice for a dinner and overnight stay focused on Tajarin with veal ragù.

The rooms are a gem, with an open view of the vineyards, the inn is warm and welcoming, and if you drink too much, you don’t even have to drive home. What more could you ask for? Well, I’ll tell you – the homemade focaccia they serve for breakfast. If you’d like, you can comfortably visit that colorful, not-so-pretty little church where people queue up for photos… but I recommend spending your time with a double round of focaccia.

Advice from Gianluca

This can truly be defined as a trattoria. Here at Bercau, tradition is at home. It’s that restaurant you go to when you know you want comfort food without gourmet portions and too many pretensions. It’s the place that, in the summer, has tables under the shade of colorful awnings and tree branches. Where you never know what to choose for your starter because you want everything, so you have the beautiful mix of starters brought to you; if veal with tuna sauce and hand-cut tartare are missing, there’s trouble! In Verduno, it’s a must to accompany your meal with Verduno Pelaverga, one of my favorite red wines that I even enjoy slightly chilled in summer. Special mention for the seasonal mixed fried dish!

Advice from Denise

If someone ever invited you to see the butterfly collection at the Drogheria di Langa, it’s not an indecent proposal, quite the opposite! Outside, a vintage-flavored sign on the wall reads “Osteria vino buono” and it’s right here, at the top of Bossolasco, where the Drogheria di Langa, a cozy corner made of patterned tiles and wrought-iron spiral staircases, will delight your taste buds and even your ears! Yes, because jazz music will pleasantly accompany every bite, whether it’s hand-cut tartare with truffle or “gobbi” (elongated ravioli, for the record) with nettles.

PS. Don’t forget to bring an empty bag with you because you’ll be able to fill it with all sorts of delicious treats, or else, what kind of “drogheria” would it be?!

Advice from Teresa

Overlooking a breathtaking corner of Langhe, Aromatario will welcome you in a magical atmosphere, with the added charm of the ivy-covered façade near the church. They offer a tasting menu so you won’t have to miss anything, and you’ll also find a menu dedicated to truffle, when in season. Beef tartare, Bergera salad, cotechino, and an egg cooked at 62 degrees are some of the starters awaiting you. The tagliolini with 40 egg yolks are a sure winner! An extra tip? A slice of braised beef in Barbaresco sauce to satisfy even the most discerning palates!

Advice from Clara

(pic by @la_v_)

Osteria More e Macine saved me during a lunch in Langhe when I hadn’t made a reservation anywhere, and I started calling places at noon. So, I’ll be grateful for life! It seems to be always open, and there’s a constant buzz. The dishes are simple and truly mouthwatering. They are written on the chalkboard, waiting for you to order them. It’s quintessential Piedmontese cuisine with limited emphasis on vegetables, but we food lovers are used to that! The flans, fried tripe, tajarin, and the cheeses nearly brought tears to my eyes – they’re that delicious!

Advice from Monica

Where should I go to eat if I’m heading to Barbaresco? At the top of the list, there’s definitely Casa Nicolini. The view from the garden is U N B E A T A B L E. In the same garden where tables are set in the summer, you can even spot the pool to cool off during the scorching Langhe days. I always enjoy coming here, as a couple or with a group of friends, because it’s always a great experience. Simple yet elegant service, an impressive wine list, and truffle dishes (when it’s the season). This is also a top choice for a first date, leaving everyone impressed (yes, it worked). I have so much love for the Fassona beef tartare, the plin pasta, and the fried mushrooms!

Advice from Denise

At the beginning of Barolo, a new, modern, and elegant establishment like Locanda La Gemella will introduce you to a fresh approach to tradition. The wine list is exceptionally strong, featuring an international selection, and the dishes guarantee excellence with a modern twist. Every element is carefully crafted to create a unique and unforgettable culinary experience. Let your five senses guide you as you explore dishes like Plin with a brown stock and even some that are a bit different from the classic Langhe cuisine. Don’t be afraid to be adventurous. Finish off your meal with a hazelnut cream with Dacquoise dessert. You won’t be disappointed!

Advice from Clara

As we patiently await the arrival of the beautiful season to take a dip in the fantastic pool with a view of the Barbaresco vineyards, we can leisurely pass the time by savoring the dishes and wines of this incredible agriturismo. Villa Garassino is the place you seek when you want to relax and have a comprehensive gastronomic experience, blending tradition and modernity, with offerings ranging from meat and fish to vegetables and desserts. The wonderful thing is that if you’ve indulged a bit too much at the table, you can always stop and spend the night in one of their meticulously maintained rooms, perfect for a romantic escape!

Advice from Mike

Gemma now has an Instagram account and some pretty good photos. When I first met her, she barely knew what it meant to be on the Internet, but it’s all part of the digitization wave, right? Well, no, I was kidding. The place I found is in Salerno… Gemma is probably the most famous “piola” in the Langhe, and to get a table here, you have to book months in advance. They serve homemade bread, unlimited breadsticks, and leave the salami on the table with a knife. The menu is extensive with a wide variety of appetizers, first courses, second courses, and dessert terrines left on the table at the end of the meal. House wine flows freely, and there’s plenty of hospitality.

Gemma makes “plin” and “tajarin” with her “friends” during the day, using the dinner tables as a drying rack for the pasta. And well, I’d just love to make “tajarin” with her one day!

Advice from Monica

The folks at Madama Piola gave me an incredible gift by deciding to open another branch of their beloved restaurant right near me in Cherasco! Gianluca had already spoken very highly of their first location in Turin, and I’ll do the same for the one in Cherasco. It has the same format, decor, and menu, but it’s in an amazing setting under the brick vaults of the historic Napoleon-era town. There’s an open kitchen and beautiful paintings featuring their iconic dishes. Veal with tuna sauce + the classic and incomparable “plin” pasta + a top-notch boiled meat dish = absolute delight. And if you add a good wine and dessert to the mix, you’re in heaven. So, here’s to the most famous “plin” in Turin, and now in Cherasco too!

Advice from Denise

Wait for the warmth of spring to not miss the spectacle you can enjoy while savoring Langhe delicacies from one of the most captivating terraces on the gentle hills. Lost in the Piedmontese flavors of the tasting menu, not only your taste buds but also your eyes will be satisfied by a landscape that’s enchanting. At Le Torri, the atmosphere is fantastic, especially at sunset, immersed in a setting reminiscent of the Sabaudian “dolce vita.” You won’t be able to resist the highly curated wine list (and accompanying cellar), which will take you well beyond the region to taste flavours beyond the beloved Piedmontese wines.

Advice from Mike

“Argaj” in Piedmontese translates to pleasure and satisfaction. This restaurant offers a delightful dining experience with a beautiful terrace for the warm months and tastefully renovated indoor spaces for the colder ones. Valentina, the floor manager, recommends outstanding sparkling wines. The cuisine is predominantly Langhe-inspired, but Chef Andrea loves to surprise and experiment, creating dishes like “ramen of tajarin,” various seafood options like “Gnocchi di pane, pomodoro, ricci di mare e mandorla” (bread gnocchi, tomato, sea urchin, and almond), and a touch of game like “Roast-“Beef” di cervo, barbabietola, caffè e yogurt” (roast venison, beetroot, coffee, and yogurt).

Advice from Valentina

Imagine a Sunday in December, a not-so-senseless craving for tajarin, and in the Scaparone area, the snow that caused chaos in the city but is a picture of tranquility there. Casa Scaparone is all about hospitality and the good life, where you eat well and drink even better. The light filtering through the large windows nestled between weathered walls, barrel-vaulted ceilings, and antique tables with colorful ethnic touches. It’s a cacophony of indulgent sensations for the soul and the stomach (which are sometimes one and the same for me). While you’re there, savoring a forkful of braised beef, it’s sweet to get lost in a glass of Barbera. And if you’ve indulged in Barbera, you can even stay overnight. Legend has it that in one of those rooms, love bloomed between a violinist and a Celtic guitarist, and on full moon nights, you can hear sweet music in the air. Let me know if you find out!

Advice from Teresa