La Vinotheque is one of those magical neighborhood places where you feel at home and that you could find in the Marais in Paris or in Notting Hill in London, always ready to pamper you for a lunch, a dinner or a good glass of wine with friends.

Its style blends perfectly with that of the “Garden City”, the nickname of Varese, with the Belle Époque style sign in dark green iron that recalls the greenhouses of the end of the century and the typical chairs of French bistros.

A condensation of ideas and desires matured over time by Giorgio Nascimbene, a long-time host and chef with various experiences behind him in the city, who here in 2022 crowned his dream of sustainability, collaboration, simplicity, good food.

Giorgio offers, in fact, a varied and genuine cuisine, with seasonal proposals that wink at small producers and a raw material that combines nature and respect for the Earth.

On the menu we find dishes that look to the territory but with an international twist, such as the appetizers of raw amberjack or lake carpione fish, pappa al pomodoro and ravioli with chanterelles, and second courses such as wild boar arrosticini or turbot fillet with black sesame.

Here everything is taken care of in the smallest details and the result of an ethical or “passionate” choice, like the Miscela Donna Felice coffee, a Felmoka project to support women’s work.

As can be seen from the full shelves that decorate every corner of La Vinothèque, the place is also a rich and well-stocked wine shop thanks to the fantastic selection of labels chosen by Giorgio together with the sommelier Stefano Colombo. All bottles can be sold to take away, also in gift packaging.

La Vinothèque, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, is also open for aperitifs accompanied by col cuts platters and small bites, to be enjoyed in the summer outdoors on the tables arranged in the small dehors in front of the place.

Like all “neighborhood” bistros, La Vinothèque is a point of reference for small musical events and tastings, much loved by all its loyal regulars.

The Secret

Stendhal defined Varese as the ‘Versailles of Milan’ and Casbeno was famous above all for its Grand Hotel Excelsior opened in 1874, today the headquarters of the Province of Varese and the Prefecture.

Useful Info

La Vinothèque
Viale Sant’Antonio 65
21100 Varese
Tel. +39 379 1094330

Starters: 16 — 18 euro
First courses: 16 — 20 euro
Second courses: 18 — 28 euro