5 italian rooms worth the trip across Germany, editor-ranked. All cuisines in Germany.
Alfredo ★ 4.5 · Cologne
altstadt · Tunisstrasse 3, 50667 Köln
Alfredo in Cologne's Altstadt is a Michelin-selected Italian restaurant near the Cathedral serving refined pasta and risotto in an intimate room.
Tip: On select Friday evenings the chef, a trained vocalist, closes dinner with an aria. Book the musical soirée for something extraordinary.
Acquarello ★ 4.5 · Munich
bogenhausen · Mühlbaurstrasse 36, 81677 München
Mario Gamba's Acquarello in Munich Bogenhausen has held a Michelin star since 2000 on cucina del sole; the Italian list runs over 1,000 labels in the cellar.
Tip: Lunch is a quieter and cheaper way in than dinner; the wine cellar tour is available for groups.
Acquarello ★ 4.5 · Munich
bogenhausen · Mühlbaurstrasse 36, 81677 München
Mario Gamba's Acquarello in Munich Bogenhausen has held a Michelin star on cucina del sole since 2000; the dining room is hushed, the Italian list runs deep.
Osteria Italiana ★ 4.3 · Munich
maxvorstadt · Schellingstrasse 62, 80799 München
Osteria Italiana on Munich's Schellingstrasse has been the city's grand Italian since 1890; the dining room runs ceiling frescoes, classic pasta and Tuscan.
Tip: Reservations by telephone only; Sundays closed.
Borsalino ★ 3.5 · Cologne
neustadt-sued · Zulpicher Str. 7, 50674 Koln
Borsalino on Zülpicher Strasse in Cologne's Kwartier Latäng is a neighbourhood Italian trattoria serving affordable pasta dishes to students since the 1980s.
Tip: Cash preferred. Large portions; one pasta course is usually enough for lunch. Busy during university term time.