Restaurant Il Cigno - Trattoria dei Martini

5 stars for a unique experience. After trying to get a table at 8 different places, we wandered in disbelief into Il Cigno, our ninth try. A last-minute cancellation had made it possible, we had a table. Lucky us. As you walk in, you realize that you're entering into much more than just a restaurant. It's a carefully crafted experience. The moment you cross the door, you are greeted by an elegant and experienced maitre d' who escorts you in. After neatly hanging your jackets, you are led into the main dining room, stunned by the spaciousness of the beautifully decorated historic space. The place comes gently to life with Venetian vases, early 20th-century paintings, and blossoming orchids. A unique theatrical set that gets you into the positive mood required for what it is to come. As a starter, we had the 'culatta' and a salad made with endives and capers. The mains were a mix of pasta: Tortellini di zucca, Agnolotti with brodo, and tagliatelle. All beautifully homemade and humble in their taste. We also tried a traditional dish made with pickled chicken. The dessert was the cherry on the cake, cheesecake with strawberry sauce. A smile emerged; somebody had put their heart into preparing it. But my review would not be complete without a special mention of the team of waiters who delivered the experience. A thoughtful team that matched the rhythm of our dinner to the best classical music. The execution was pristine, with all kinds of details contributing to making our experience truly memorable. I hope that if you happen to stop in Mantova, you get to enjoy it too.

We spent such a nice evening in this fairytale of a restaurant on our first night in mantova. Very tasty and inventive food with the highest quality ingredients, amazing and so friendly staff, decorated with well selected design elements put together with exquisite taste, last but not least, absolutely not overpriced in regard of the overall quality. Grazzie Mille !

We had a fabulous lunch in sophisticated and stylish surroundings. The service from Danielle and her colleagues was outstanding. We hope to return.

Excellent restaurant serving classic Mantuan food. The service was impeccable - my wife and I speak limited Italian and arrived with our 1yo son and no reservation, but the staff welcomed us with no hesitation and made us very welcome. Highly recommended

a wonderful evening in a beautiful environment with a perfect service and a high quality menu! thank you, we cannot wait to come back soon!

One of the best restaurants in Mantova. Il Cigno is simply one of the best restaurants in the city - historical venue nicely decorated, great service and excellent food. The menu is based on historical recipes of Gonzaga family, presented in a modern and elegant twist. Wine list well curated. Beautiful garden. Prices are higher than the average, but the value for money is great. Extremely recommended.

This place was a pure delight. The service was impeccable, the dining room is lovely, and the owner, Mr. Martini, stands nearby in a suit and bow-tie, overseeing everything to ensure all is well. He came and checked on us once, and then stopped to share a story about dogs (we had ours with us). The food was all delicious. It was our first meal in Mantua so we went with as many regional specialties as we could eat. So far, they still have our favorite versions of both Tortelli di Zucca and Contechino. I highly recommend! It's a special and sweet experience.

Absolutely fabulous dinner! The staff, food and atmosphere all superb! An absolute MUST for anyone in Montova!!