Local Shopping and Eating

 Supermarkets

Conad in Menaggio (on the road coming through from Nobiallo and close to the bus station) is a good place for staples and treats. There is another supermarket at the other end of the town near the ferry terminal.  

For a proper big shop, you can't do better than get in the car and drive north to Dongo. Drive past the village itself and you will come to the Iperal hypermarket. 

Further afield, there are hypermarkets on the main road towards Porlezza (Iperal and Carrefour) and at the  north end of the lake (navigate to Fuentes).

Local shops

Unfortunately our little general store closed down last year because the owners wanted to retire. Edo is a butcher so you may not want to go in, but the cheese is great and Edo is lovely.  He also sells fresh bread and various treats.  At busy times it's a good idea to order bread for the next day.  You can try speaking English, and his wife will probably be able to cope.  Or you could try 'Volevo ordinare il pane per domain, per piacere'.  'Un pane' is a loaf. The big round crusty one we like is called a pagnotta. (Panyotta).  Small rolls are called 'francesini', or round hollow ones are 'tarterughe' (tortoise). Lario Frutta is the greengrocers and run by Stefano who has quite good English.  Fruit and veg are pricey in Italy but excellent quality as you'd expect.  He puts everything into brown paper bags. We take them back down to use them again.  Across the road from da Luigi you will find Simone’s market garden - a sight to behold and source of fruit and veg with zero food miles. 

The wine shop is amazing - the lady who runs it is called Rosanna and she is a darling. She'll let you taste everything and will pour you wine from the barrel  into a bottle which you can bring back for a refill. 

Bars and restaurants

Bar Carlo, run by Beppe and Isa, is the most traditional bar in the village. Beppe is a great football fan, as you will see. They do great homemade ice cream. There is also the 'Dream Cafe'  on our side of the main road. Does good snacks for lunches. Has recently changed hands so a bit of an unknown quantity. Creme Caramel, down on the beach, is great for pizzas, although in the height of the season, you may have quite a long wait. Valentina at Creme Caramel works her socks off - does breakfasts and bar service as well. Closed on Wednesday.  Da Luigi, the restaurant on the main road, is all round good. Best pizzas. They do takeaway pizzas too.  Closed Tuesday. 

There's a lovely little ice cream shop in Santa Maria north of the village on the left side of the road looking up the lake, if you want to take a walk along the old footpath to Santa Maria and drop down to the main road.

Pharmacy 

On the main road to the north, just past Santa Maria. In case of medical emergency we suggest you go straight to Pronto Soccorso at Menaggio hospital.

Bank

At Santa Maria is the nearest ATM, a pleasant half hour walk away down the via regina footpath.