Fodor's Expert Review The Market Place

This intimate restaurant near Como's historic center serves full-flavored modern Italian food, which you can sample in six- or eight-course seasonal tasting menus, complete with wine pairings if you'd like. The spartan interior here is beside the point; you'll be focused on the well-presented dishes, guided by youthful servers who thoughtfully describe each course. The playful menu might include red shrimp tartare with avocado and fried squid, eggplant ravioli with tomato coulis and Parmesan mousse, or pork loin with roasted pepper cream, spinach, and endive. The place is popular with both tourists and locals, so reservations are a good idea.