Discovering Dal Pescatore: A Three-Star Culinary Gem

A charming yellow restaurant building surrounded by lush greenery and a landscaped path leading to the entrance.

Hidden away in the quiet neighborhood of Runate, Lombardy, Dal Pescatore has long held a reputation as one of Italy’s most extraordinary dining destinations. Three Michelin stars consecutively since 1996? Quite the institution! The kind of place that gourmands rave about and admire. Worth a detour? You bet. It is a beautiful family story set against the charming countryside, where generations of the Santini family have turned a humble riverside tavern (circa 1926) into a temple of hospitality and grace.

Our own journey began on the rainy road from Parma. The drive, through fields and farmhouses that seem untouched by time, felt like something out of a movie. By the time we pulled into the gravel driveway and walked past the manicured gardens and rustic façade, it was clear that this would be more than just a meal, but a rite of passage.

We were welcomed at the door by name, as if long-time friends. Inside, a semi-private dining space complete with a garden backdrop (massive magnolia trees and all) awaited us. There, a grand table, fit for eight, was reserved just for the three of us. It was both regal and intimate, like being invited into the family’s dining room. Luxurious but without pretension.

The restaurant’s story stretches back nearly a hundred years, when Antonio Santini and Teresa Mazzi opened a modest tavern serving fried river fish and Lambrusco. From those simple beginnings, each generation added its own touch. Today, self-taught chef Nadia Santini helms the kitchen, while her sons Giovanni and Alberto carry the torch in both the kitchen and cellar. Dal Pescatore is the longest-standing three-star restaurant in Italy, and Nadia herself became the first Italian woman to hold that title.

The Santinis emphasize “zero-mile” cuisine. Founded in 2020, their organic farm, Cascina Runate estate, provides sustainability and a deep link to the land (vegetable gardens, orchards, nine families of bees, 15 pasture-raised hens, 50 laying hens, and a forest-certified FSC of over 6 hectares). Back at the restaurant, you’ll find legendary dishes that embody Lombardy on a plate. But despite the mind-blowing size of their reach and entire operation, you’ll also find warmth: staff who glide gracefully between tables and orchestrate service with precision.

The Food

We opted for the Menu del Pescatore, priced at €290 per guest, inclusive of tax and service. The restaurant catered to my son’s preferences, and we ordered à la carte for him. He was still included in the opening and closing bites, and the check at the end only included a slight charge for him, a practice I wish fine dining establishments in the U.S. would embrace.

Throughout the meal, one detail stood out immediately: the remarkable array of bespoke tableware. Much of it was crafted by Villeroy & Boch, custom-designed exclusively for the Santini family, with only a few notable exceptions. Even the espresso service—cup and saucer alike—arrived adorned with the restaurant’s distinctive branding, a subtle yet deliberate reminder of the family’s enduring legacy.

TERRINA WITH LOBSTER: Oscietra royal caviar and extra virgin olive oil of Tuscany

ARTICHOKE with fresh salad from the garden and citrus cream

AGNOLI tortellini with chicken broth

FOIE GRAS with passion fruit sauce

PUMPKIN TORTELLI butter and parmigiano reggiano

RISOTTO with saffron, spinach, and milk fondue

GRILLED EEL with fresh salad from the vegetable garden

OX FILLET (Cascina Runate farm) with fine herbs

Fantasy of fruit sorbet

HAZELNUT CAKE with pear, chocolate Guanaja, and vanilla ice cream

MERINGUE with mousse of Bronte pistachio, toasted almonds, and marsala sabayone

Mignardise

The most telling moment came not with the arrival of caviar or the famous tortelli, but with something as simple as a sorbet palate cleanser. When presented tableside, the staff welcomed my son to inspect it more closely and guided him through the presentation. It was a small gesture he enjoyed, and one that spoke volumes. We left that day with full stomachs and fuller hearts.

It’s easy to figure out why, after nearly three decades, Dal Pescatore holds on to those coveted three stars. It is not chasing trends. It is grounded in a philosophy of respect for ingredients, tradition, and the diner’s experience. Accolades aside, the restaurant’s magic lies in its ability to feel timeless.