Eating in Lombardy: A Proud Tradition

Lombard cuisine is one of the most distinctive regional food cultures in Italy — and arguably one of the least well known outside the country. While Neapolitan pizza and Bolognese ragù have conquered the world, the food of northern Lombardy quietly goes about being delicious without much international fanfare. Somma Lombardo sits squarely within this tradition, offering visitors the chance to eat exceptionally well in unpretentious, welcoming surroundings.

Essential Dishes to Try

Risotto

No visit to this part of Lombardy is complete without eating a properly made risotto. The Po Valley — of which this area forms the western edge — is Italy's great rice-growing region, and risotto here is taken seriously. Look out for risotto alla milanese (with saffron), risotto with lake fish, or seasonal variations using local mushrooms and vegetables.

Polenta

Polenta is the other great staple of the Lombard table — golden, slow-cooked cornmeal served as a side dish, topped with cheese and butter, or paired with braised meats and stews. It is honest, filling food that has sustained generations of northern Italians through long winters.

Ossobuco and Braised Meats

The Lombard tradition of slow-braised meats produces some of Italy's most comforting dishes. Ossobuco — braised veal shin — is the region's most celebrated export, but local trattorias also prepare excellent braised pork, rabbit, and game dishes depending on the season.

Local Cheeses

The Province of Varese and its surrounds produce a range of excellent cheeses. Ask for locally made formaggi at markets or delicatessens — you may find aged varieties with complex, nutty flavours quite different from anything available in supermarkets abroad.

Wine in the Area

While the vineyards of the Oltrepò Pavese and the northern lakes are the nearest significant wine regions, the trattorias of Somma Lombardo typically maintain good lists of Lombard and Piedmontese wines. Key varieties to explore include:

  • Barbera d'Asti — a versatile, food-friendly red from just across the regional border in Piedmont
  • Bonarda — a slightly sparkling red, excellent with cured meats and local antipasti
  • Lugana — a refined white wine from the southern shores of Lake Garda, widely available in Lombard restaurants
  • Franciacorta — Lombardy's celebrated sparkling wine, produced by the traditional method, ideal as an aperitivo

Where to Eat in Somma Lombardo

The town has a range of dining options to suit different occasions and budgets. For the most authentic experience, seek out a family-run trattoria rather than a restaurant oriented towards passing trade. These establishments typically offer a short, seasonal menu, excellent local wine, and the kind of straightforward, generous cooking that has made Italian food famous worldwide.

The local bar culture also deserves mention — Italian bars serve excellent coffee, aperitivi, and light snacks throughout the day, and a well-made Aperol Spritz or Campari soda enjoyed in the piazza as the evening begins is one of the simple pleasures this town does very well.

Seasonal Eating

Lombard cuisine follows the seasons closely. Spring brings asparagus, wild herbs, and fresh cheeses. Summer means lake fish, grilled vegetables, and lighter preparations. Autumn is the season of mushrooms, polenta, and game. Winter tables are laden with slow-cooked stews, hearty soups, and the preserved meats of the artisan norcineria tradition. Whenever you visit, the local kitchen will be working with what's best right now.