Osteria delle 3V in Gignese, mountain cooking and rooms
Osteria delle 3V is a small country inn with a restaurant and rooms in Gignese, Piedmont, a short way from the Borromean Islands. It has private bathrooms, parking and a garden, but the real draw is the mountain cooking. It suits anyone who puts a good table first, less those who want to pay by card.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Osteria delle 3V.
Where Osteria delle 3V is in Gignese
Osteria delle 3V is in Gignese, in Piedmont, on Via Funis. The village is a short distance from the Borromean Islands, so it makes sense as a base if you want to see the lake but prefer to sleep away from the bustle. The easiest way to arrive is by car, as the property has a private car park.
If you fly into Milan Malpensa, allow about 55 km of driving. I have no information on buses or trains to Gignese, so if you are travelling without a car, check how to reach the village first. For your satnav, the address to enter is Via Funis.
What the rooms and shared spaces are like
The rooms at Osteria delle 3V are simple and complete. Each has a private bathroom with a toiletry set, hairdryer and bidet, plus a flat-screen TV. Do not expect luxury, but the essentials are there.
Outside the room you will find a convivial dining room, a panoramic terrace and a well-kept garden with views. The old description talks of a small inn with the practical services of a modern B&B, and that seems the right picture to me. Several guests describe rooms decorated with care, with copper pots hanging from the ceiling and owls scattered around.
An honest warning. The reviews I read talk almost only about the restaurant and say little about the rooms. So I cannot promise you anything about night-time quiet or how comfortable the beds are.
What you can eat at Osteria delle 3V
The food is traditional mountain cooking, with fresh local ingredients, and it is the real reason people come here. Dining in the same place where you sleep, after a day of walks, is an advantage not to be underrated.
These are the dishes that come up most often in the reviews.
- The guinea fowl. It appears in reviews from different periods, and one guest counts it among the best they have ever tasted.
- Polenta with venison. A classic of mountain chalets, cited as the dish that steals the show.
- First courses. Risotto with toma cheese and green ravioli with ragù get praise, and so does the sliced steak (tagliata).
- Desserts and pizza. The apple cake is very popular, and one guest who had lunch recommends coming back in the evening to try the pizza too.
There is also a sign of flexibility. One guest says that when they asked for a blended meal for their grandchildren, the answer was yes with no problem. If you have similar needs, let them know in advance anyway.
What guests say
On Google the rating is 4.3 from 650 reviews, and most comments are very positive. Guests praise the food, the friendly and smiling staff, and the welcoming, rustic and well-kept atmosphere.
One family points out the large, well-equipped outdoor play area and recommends it to anyone travelling with children. Others appreciate that the dishes arrive well made but without unnecessary decoration, in the traditional way. One person came back after many years and found the same cooking as always.
For groups, a review from a few years ago describes a large table with a set menu agreed beforehand and fully honoured. That is old information, so ask the owners to confirm.
What to know before booking
The point that comes up most often is payment. One guest says the card machine does not work because the place is in a signal blind spot, and that paying in cash is the solution. Several negative reviews take it badly, though, and talk of cards refused for years and receipts issued only on request.
To be straightforward, bring plenty of cash and always ask for a receipt. One person judges the prices high precisely because of this, and it is better to know before you sit down to eat.
| The positive side | Keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Traditional cooking, highly praised | Payment in cash, the card machine does not work |
| Private car park, garden and terrace | Better to arrive by car |
| Outdoor play area for children | Reviews say little about the rooms |
Who it suits and what to do nearby
I would choose Osteria delle 3V for anyone who puts the table first, for families with children and for anyone wanting a quiet base near the Borromean Islands. I would not recommend it to anyone who wants to pay everything by card or who is looking for the services of a large hotel.
The most obvious plan from Gignese is to spend a day on the Borromean Islands and come back for dinner at the osteria. If you are comparing other options between Piedmont and Lombardy, also look at CaMelia B&B in Arconate, Casa al Lago in Lecco and the Canonica dei Templari in Piazzano.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
