Restaurant Il Gatto Nero in Cernobbio… Tonight, we reserved a table at restaurant Il Gatto Nero with its Italian and Mediterranean specialties. Il Gatto Nero is located a little higher up in Cernobbio in the hamlet of Rovenna, not far from Hotel La Vignetta where we are staying. Our reservation was a last-minute decision, but luckily we managed to secure a table for two just in time. Online reservations require a credit card, as a no-show will be charged.
We don’t know much background about the restaurant. And to be completely honest, we were a bit skeptical. For example, Il Gatto Nero strongly advertises itself as George Clooney’s favorite restaurant. Too often, the friendly American is used in local ads on social media in the hope of luring tourists more easily. What we are sure of, however, is that Il Gatto Nero offers a fantastic view of the Como waterfront.
We parked our car in a private parking lot. The restaurant is housed in a simple building, one of many you can find. A glass veranda has been added to the house. A few planters bring in some greenery. On the front wall, there is a mural of a black cat on a balcony—you know, the kind of mural you often see in Italian restaurants. Next to the veranda, there is also a terrace and an indoor space. The beautiful view always comes included.
We are warmly welcomed by a stylish lady who shows us to a table in the veranda—or let’s call it the patio. Our eyes are immediately drawn to the stunning view of Lake Como. The window is wide open and a gentle breeze flows through the space, sweeping away the sultry evening heat. Soft music plays in the background. The interior itself is simple, with neatly set tables. A cozy setting with a pleasant vibe.
We order a glass of prosecco as an aperitif and dive into the menu. Several set menus are available, with about five courses paired with a glass of champagne and selected wines, priced between €200 and €300. There are also options featuring seafood or various types of caviar, always paired with champagne. In addition, there are à la carte choices for antipasto, primi piatti, and secondi piatti.
The prices average around €25, €35, and €45 respectively, with higher prices if you order lobster. The dishes are refined, mostly seasonal, from Lombard and broader Italian cuisine. Choosing feels a bit like losing, as everything reads quite delicious. For the starters, we go with Vitello Tonnato al punto rosa and Raviolo “Milano” fatto in casa. For the main courses, we choose Galletto Croccante marinato al limone e maggiorana and Tentacolo di Polpo croccante.
We look around us again. Can we talk about the view one more time? It feels like a gigantic super-deluxe television screen with a stunning, colorful panorama. To the right, Cernobbio with its beautiful church tower on Piazza del Risorgimento. In the center, Lake Como. To the left, the village of Blevio. In the distance, the Como waterfront with the illuminated football stadium, Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, where Como 1907 defeated Ajax 3–0 in the final of the Como Cup. But back to Il Gatto Nero.
By now, all the tables are occupied. Il Gatto Nero clearly appeals to gourmets who dare—and can afford—to look at the last pages of the wine list. Ladies ready for the catwalk, flamboyant greying Italians with their obligatory sunglasses. But also a family with young children, regular tourists, and us! Still, it’s the table a little further away that draws the most attention. A German family: father, his three teenage children with their partners, and mother—who seems to master the perfect selfie even better than her daughters-in-law. Mama wants to try every variety of caviar, papa lets the waiter pour him tastings of the best wines, while the son, dressed in white trousers and a blue blazer, devours a lobster.
A selection of breads and a delicious butter are served at the table. The starters arrive quickly. The Vitello Tonnato is excellent, but the absolute winner is the Raviolo “Milano”. Allo zafferano ripieno di ossobuco, fondo bruno e gremolada—it’s a dish worth licking your fingers for. The main courses also impress. The young chicken is served with perfectly roasted potatoes and a lime and pink pepper mayonnaise. The octopus comes with a spicy anticucho sauce, Peruvian potato, and corn emulsion. The plates are beautifully presented, and you can simply taste the love and experience in the cooking.
The service is extremely friendly, personal, and efficient. At Il Gatto Nero, all the gears fit together smoothly: from the driver who picks up important guests in the black Mercedes VIP shuttle, to the lady who offers a warm welcome, and the waiters who provide friendly and personalized service. We had read some negative comments about the service in reviews, but we did not experience that at all. We are certainly not the table with the highest bill tonight, yet the service remains just as attentive. We continue to feel equally appreciated as guests. And let’s be honest, that often plays out differently in many restaurants. It makes us think of our evening at Il Sereno, where attention seemed to be divided in proportion to the bill, and where, in our opinion, blasé attitudes took the upper hand…
Gradually, the music is turned up a little. Everyone is enjoying themselves, and there’s a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. Nothing pretentious or stiff at all. Il Gatto Nero doesn’t try to show off or come across as flashy.
We order a dessert to share: Tiramisù composto al tavolo. At the table, a delicious tiramisù is prepared. The biscuit is soaked with coffee from a Bialetti. From that same Bialetti comes a creamy mascarpone, finished with cocoa powder! Absolutely delightful and the perfect ending.
Il Gatto Nero is something special. It’s a hybrid restaurant, driven by a “fossil fuel” with its genuine focus on love for food and authentic Italian conviviality, yet also finding new energy in catering to affluent food lovers. On the website, you can clearly read about that focus. To quote: “Il Gatto Nero is a popular destination for famous visitors, including George Clooney and other well-known Hollywood stars, Italian and international politicians, world-famous athletes, and a broad local audience.” Hybrid in the sense that at Il Gatto Nero, things can really go in all directions!
Regardless of which box or category you’d like to put it in, we had a wonderful and enjoyable evening. We were welcomed warmly and kindly, and above all, we ate very well. And in the end, that’s what really matters. The bill came to €243, which is a very fair price for five dishes, an aperitif, two glasses of wine, and a digestif. We would absolutely describe Il Gatto Nero as highly recommended, and we’ll definitely be back.
Funny enough, a few days after our visit, we saw a photo on Instagram of Il Gatto Nero with its best friend George Clooney dropping by for a bite. So, it turns out it’s not just a marketing trick, but a true achievement!
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