Ristorante Tancredi

Mind blowing. I honestly didn’t expect the amazing experience. I thought it was going to be just another episode at a Michelin star restaurant, but I was wrong. I feel bad for not dressing up enough for Tancredi. From the last minute reservation, to the welcome, the atmosphere and ambiance, is from the heart, I believe. And when you visit the bathroom, everything is well thought out with the comfort of the guest in mind. Fortunately my husband was equally impressed and I hope we can visit again next time we’re in Gardasee. Gracia mille!

Definitely worth a visit if in the area. Beautiful atmosphere with seats facing out towards the Great Lake. We went for the “Mind” tasting menu with wine pairings, which was slightly on the pricey side, but boy was it worth it! The service was impeccable, nothing was too much for the staff and they were very knowledgeable about the incredible variety of cuisines they were serving. Every dish was an absolute delight, and I left wanting more! The wines were described in great detail, but not in horrible language which wasn’t understandable to a complete amateur (myself!). The favourite dish was a special of the new head chef, who had moved over from a previously Michelin starred restaurant. If you get the chance, even for a la carte, pay this place a visit!

We visited the restaurant for my partner’s 30th, we were disappointed by the food compared to our Michelin star restaurants we’ve been too. We went for the wine pairing and whilst the name and region and year of the wine was explained there was no explanation of why it was paired with each course. We initially had to ask for courses to be slowed as they were flying out and then they became incredibly slow. We sent 4 emails after our experience and the restaurant did not reply at all. Given a €500 euro bill for 2, we were less than impressed On the plus side the bread course was excellent

Outstanding. I chose to celebrate my birthday at Ristorante Tancredi and requested vegan options beforehand. The restaurant went above and beyond to accommodate my dietary preferences, offering to make the entire tasting menu vegan. The entire meal was thoughtful, creative while at the same time not losing hold of the traditional regional cuisine. The venue itself is as dreamy as they come, the al fresco dining gets you as close to the lakeshore as possible without getting wet feet. I wholeheartedly recommend this experience!

❌ First Impressions: Cold and Unwelcoming We arrived slightly early for our reservation and found the doors still closed. The staff’s attitude during this moment was indifferent at best—no effort to greet or explain, just a cold “we're closed.” Upon returning a little later, we were led directly to an outdoor table with no option or inquiry about seating preferences. Not a great start, especially considering this is a Michelin-starred establishment. 🍽️ Drinks & Starters: Confused Service, Lackluster Offering I asked for a non-alcoholic beer—none available. I was instead offered a fermented tea-like beverage, which was passable but uninspiring. My colleague had a glass of champagne, and others at the table requested a wine pairing. This led to confusion: the server didn’t seem to grasp the request and simply offered a bottle instead. After further prodding, they managed to serve only one glass per person, defeating the idea of a “pairing.” Also disappointing: no one ever offered me anything beyond water for the rest of the evening. I don’t drink alcohol, but does that mean I’m relegated to tap water for a fine dining experience? 🥖 Food: Outdated, Boring, and in Some Cases… Awful Here’s where it really fell apart. For a Michelin-starred restaurant, the food was remarkably uninspired. Think “fancy 1990s dinner party” food—chorizo with fish (done to death), a green taco that tasted as strange as it sounds, and stale bread. Yes, stale. Some dishes were outright unpleasant. Others just bland. Nothing creative. Nothing fresh. The desserts, too, were underwhelming and under-portioned—barely a sweet note to end the evening. 👎 Atmosphere & Service: Stressful, Inhospitable Several critical issues compounded the poor experience: Smoking: A neighboring table of five chain-smoked throughout the evening. We were outside, yes—but for a high-end restaurant, there should be a non-smoking dining policy, especially during food service. Lighting: Table lights were turned on, immediately attracting swarms of mosquitoes, which landed in drinks, food, even the bread basket. Staff Attitude: The waitstaff were not friendly and seemed impatient, especially when English or non-Italian was spoken. That made my international guests feel uncomfortable—hardly the elegance you'd expect. 💸 Value: Not Worth the Money Given the poor service, uninspired dishes, uncomfortable setting, and inattentiveness to even basic guest comfort, the value here is non-existent. This was meant to be an enjoyable and impressive client dinner—it ended up being a minor embarrassment. ✅ Final Thought Out of courtesy, I left a tip—because I’ve been a waiter myself. But I cannot recommend Ristorante Tancredi. Not for business, not for pleasure. Certainly not for anyone expecting modern, thoughtful cuisine and a Michelin-grade experience. Verdict: One star. Not worth the trip. Not worth the price.

Nice view of the lake. I had a raw seafood plate, which was good but I wish had less fish and more shellfish. A few natural wines and orange wines on the wine menu.

Stopped here for lunch. The staff were very friendly. I think we had 4 different staff stop by our table while we there. The food was delicious. I would here again in a heart beat if didn't already have other plans.

Degustation journey of wonderful flavors layered with incredible service in a beautiful setting and is pescatarian friendly. Highly recommended including letting the sommelier decide what to pair with the food. We loved it.