Lake Garda Restaurants

Ristorante La Casa degli Spiriti (The Haunted Restaurant)

Ristorante La Casa Degli Spiriti
Tel: 0456200766
V. Monte Baldo, 28
Costermano (Verona) Veneto

The best of all Lake Garda restaurants is haunted. Nonetheless, if you aren’t scared of ghosts and are looking to eat well ,then this is a good choice.

This haunted house, come restaurant, dates back to the 18th century and the ghost has been here even longer.

The ghost is that of the Duke of Prada, vanquished in a dual with his best friend and all for the love of a woman (isn’t that always the case).

Despite the occasional visit by the ghost the atmosphere is marvelous and the setting is absolutely magnificent – the view across that lake is very, very difficult to beat.

Ghosts, great views and wonderful atmosphere are all very well; however, I can hear you saying “what about the food”? Definitely the most important aspect of the lot but I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed.

Seafood and local cuisine is the specialty and they do it well. Try the Festival del Mare as an appetizer. The sardines from Lake Garda are also excellent. This summer I had a dish that I really did not expect to like quail with black pepper ice cream – sounds weird but it was delicious.

I know a lot of my fellow citizens quiver and shake at the thought of eating donkey. If that's you then don't – it is wonderfully tasty and similar to venison. The signature dish of Ristorante La Casa degli Spirit is in fact Papardelle Sir Fredrich – made with donkey meat and truffles and in honour of the gentleman who killed the Duke.

Like everything else at this restaurant service is top notch and a carefully selected wine list, with some of the best local vintages, rounds off everything nicely.

The bill for a three course meal with a decent wine is likely to come in at €90 and upwards per head which is fairly expensive for me and means this is the sort of place I can only afford to visit on special occasions.