Among the list of cosy bars and local hotspots, Bottega e Caffè Da Luciano in Laglio definitely deserves a place. A new kid in town? Not at all! Da Luciano is a true family-run business with a long history. In 1990, grandfather Luciano Motti and his wife opened a butcher’s shop in the centre of Como. In 1996, they moved from Como to Laglio, where they started running a local butcher’s shop in a charming building next to the town hall, recognisable by its vintage green-and-white striped awnings. Their passion for the butcher’s craft became the foundation of the Da Luciano family story.
Grandfather and his son joined forces, driven by their love for fine meat and everything delicious. Why not take it one step further? Of course! An espresso or cappuccino in the morning, an aperitivo platter with cured meats on the terrace. Loved by the locals and always good for a bit of small talk. Entrepreneurship clearly runs in the family, and Da Luciano keeps growing: Vespa rentals, a B&B, an artisan gelato cart… Over the years, as we drive along the Vecchia Regina, we have literally seen Da Luciano grow. Bigger, busier, and above all full of energy, hard work and genuine passion.
On the opposite side, several parking spaces were taken over and transformed with the addition of a glass veranda. Small hanging tables were attached to the railings along the edge of Lake Como. Old wine barrels and chairs were brought in to create extra seating areas.
Enough beating around the bush. Time to finally explore Da Luciano properly. Yesterday we already enjoyed a first aperitif after our hike to the top of Monte Colmegnone, but today it is the real deal. It is a beautiful sun-soaked Saturday morning at Lake Como. Da Luciano is pleasantly busy: the murmur of chatting couples and groups of friends, glasses clinking together, and waiters constantly moving back and forth from the small butcher’s shop carrying charcuterie and small hot and cold meat dishes.
We ask for a table, but are directed to a handwritten waiting list instead. Reservations simply are not possible. Our name and phone number are noted down. We will have to wait about an hour. We sit down on a bench by the water a little further along and quietly watch the people around us. Cosiness and slow living, keep that in mind. Gathering around good food and a drink while enjoying the calm you find along the shores of Lake Como.
After about an hour, we receive a phone call, jump up, and enthusiastically take our seats at a table in the glass veranda. The sliding windows are wide open and a gentle breeze flows inside. We browse the menu, which mainly features Italian cured meats, cheeses, and simple warm dishes. We decide on taglieri di salumi e formaggi locali, roast beef, vitello tonnato, and polpette, naturally accompanied by a glass of wine. You simply order as many small dishes as you like. Perfect if you enjoy sharing, as it allows you to taste all the delicious things Da Luciano has to offer.
Our choices turn out to be spot on. Beautiful and flavourful dishes made with honest products. We help ourselves from one plate to another with our forks, using pieces of bread to mop up the last bits of sauce from the dishes. No stiff fine dining, just an informal Italian atmosphere. Simple Italian cucina that brings people together.
Da Luciano has also come up with a takeaway formula for out on the water: you order your dishes online through an app and, half an hour later, you can dock your boat while the food is delivered straight on board.
Anyone who enjoys aperitivo and small bites should definitely add Da Luciano to their shortlist. Da Luciano is open continuously from Monday to Saturday. And yes, deliberately not on Sundays, because Da Luciano considers Sunday to be family day — and that applies to their own family as well.
