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Lago Di Garda is a classic Italian restaurant located near Munich's Isartor. The first thing I noticed when my companion and I entered was the dim lighting. Not necessarily uncomfortable, but definitely noticeable. This impression is certainly heightened by the dark blue walls, the dark wood paneling, and the generally very sparse lighting in the seating areas. We went in and found a table in the back, separated by a floor-to-ceiling wooden shelving unit. The tables are made of dark wood, very simple, without tablecloths or decorations, yet still cozy. I sat on a simple dark wooden bench, adorned with a few checkered cushions in the corners. The shelving unit definitely dominates the restaurant and is filled with various bottles, cookbooks, art books, small figurines, champagne bottles, and much more.
When we sat down, numerous tables were empty. We hadn't made a reservation by phone beforehand, which wasn't necessary. Even the huge round table, which is placed in a alcove with a round corner bench, was unoccupied. Small wooden boats sat on the windowsills, and generally, the walls, shelves, and other surfaces had been decorated to create a more inviting atmosphere than the tables.
Our friendly waiter brought us the menus as soon as we were seated, and we chose our meals. For a starter, we opted for a potato cream soup for €6.20, which we shared. Admittedly, we weren't particularly impressed with its appearance when it arrived. However, it tasted very good with the accompanying bread, and the portion size was generous. The soup wasn't very thick and had more of a broth-like consistency, but it still tasted delicious. For our main course, my companion chose a Pizza Regina for €8.50. I opted for the fish with potatoes and vegetables for €17.50. I was pleased to see that the fish was first shown to me whole and then filleted for me upon request. To drink, we ordered a small bottle of still water (0.25l/€2.50) and two glasses of white wine – a Lugana (0.125l/€3.10 and 0.25l/€5.90). Lugana has been my absolute favorite wine ever since I drank this delicious drop with my boyfriend, and whenever it's on the menu and I feel like having wine, I order it.
The food was served simultaneously, the service was impeccable and attentive, always keeping an eye on our table and whether we had any requests. My fish tasted excellent, was beautifully presented on the plate, and the accompanying vegetables were also delicious. My companion's pizza was equally tasty. We can recommend both. The crust was thin, the toppings were plentiful, and the edge wasn't burnt – something that, in my opinion, more and more pizza places seem to think is appropriate or particularly Italian – but I don't know anyone who actually enjoys it. That's certainly not the case here.
We finished our meals and lingered a while over our wines. Before leaving the restaurant, we considered ordering one of the desserts from the menu, but then decided against it. The menus offer all the usual Italian dishes, providing a classic selection of pizzas, pasta dishes, and fish. Handwritten chalkboards on the walls also advertise meat dishes and additional items beyond the standard menu, such as grilled sirloin steak in truffle sauce with tagliolini. Honeydew melon with Parma ham and similar delicacies are also available at Lago di Garda.
We ended up paying €46 including tip, which certainly isn't cheap, but I also had a fish dish and we drank two glasses of wine. Of course, you can find simple pizzas for less, but a visit to this restaurant, which admittedly seems a bit uninviting at first, is definitely worthwhile. So, if you're ever in the city center and strolling around near the Isartor, you can pop into Lago Di Garda and see for yourself. On sunny days, you can also sit at one of the many tables set up outside and be served by the friendly staff. If you're looking for a classic Italian restaurant, then in my opinion, Lago di Garda is the place to go. While it doesn't quite create a truly authentic Italian atmosphere, we felt quite comfortable once we were seated. My tip, however, would be to use public transport (all S-Bahn lines and some tram lines), as parking in this area is never easy.
I'll be back: There's nothing inherently wrong with it. The food was okay. It was a bit dark, though, and the atmosphere wasn't quite cozy.
Place visited: Lake Garda
Address: Baaderstraße 2, 80469 Munich
Website
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