La Cantinetta

For 26 years we always stop and have a meal here. It is a benchmark. The best version of the food of the region and the wine list is both exceptional and reasonable. If you only have time to make one choice, this is it. Others are middling to very good, but this family deliver the best example year after year. Do not miss the superb pasta with the eggs or the delicate, delicious pannacotta for dessert. Both are unequalled in this town or others nearby. Make a booking as it has become busier every year. Buon Appetito!

Lunch at La Cantinella in Barolo was a delightful experience, framed by the restaurant's rustic charm and a welcoming, refined atmosphere. Nestled in Italy’s renowned wine country, it offers an authentic taste of Piedmontese cuisine with a modern touch.

The service was outstanding—attentive, yet unobtrusive, adding a special note to our visit.

The menu featured a standout dish, the fresh pasta with ragù, which was possibly the best I've ever tasted. Expertly prepared, the pasta perfectly complemented the rich, flavourful sauce, making each bite a culinary delight. The quail was another highlight, succulent and well-seasoned, though the accompanying mashed potatoes were slightly heavy for a lunch serving.

One shortcoming was the lack of vegetarian options, which could have enhanced the inclusivity of the menu. Despite this, the quality and execution of the dishes presented were impressive.

Since we were driving, we skipped wine, but this didn’t lessen our enjoyment of the meal. Our lunch at La Cantinella was memorable enough to ensure a return visit, hoping next time to possibly explore their wine list more fully.

To be honest, normally I don’t go to Barolo as it has somehow been ruined by tourism. However, a friend (whom I trust recommended this place), so we decided to go and try it. It’s a small place tucked away in a corner from the main pedestrian street. Looking very authentic in the right way if you know what I mean. The second you step inside you know that you made the right decision. The smell of food, the sound of laughter and a beautiful down to earth kind of feeling hits you. The friendly staff (all mature and no smartness) kindly escorts you to the table. We were seated in the back close to the open fireplace. How cozy is that? The menu is simple, but my god the flavours are some of the best I have ever had in the area. The risotto (takes at least 20 min😀) was cooked to perfection, the quails were deboned & cooked in Nebbiolo wine with potato mash and haricot vert on the side. We had a truly fantastic 2019 Barolo from Bartolo Mascarello & the food/wine pairing was
made in heaven. Just a note on the wine list - prices are extremely fair. Considering you are in the middle of Barolo. We paid € 150,00 for our Barolo and that’s a bargain.
We also had desserts and again I must say: “complimenti”. Best panna cotta ever😀. We were 3 people, had 3 dishes each, water, wine & coffee and the bill came to € 270,00. We all agreed that it was a bargain and we can’t wait to come back. Thank you for an amazing experience🙏

We had very tasty pasta for lunch here. The rabbit stew and stewed beef were delicious. The staff was friendly and very helpful.
Thank you for the marvelous pannacotta as well! ❤

What a good experience!

We were greeted by the owner and got a place to sit. The food was really good and there's an amazing collection of wine!

Food is local, and the restaurant has a great atmosphere.

Very recommended!!

Food here os of a very high standard and delicious...however as with everywhere in the regions it's limited for vegetarians

Perfect and very friendly service. Good was better than I thought because Barolo can be tourist sometimes.... But this restaurant is quite local and serve with heart. Right price as well, lunch 4 people with a bottle of wine(easy one, not Barolo), coffee and sweets, less than 25 each.

Great food! The raviolo with egg yolk is fantastic, great selection of wines. If you come here walk straight through the restaurant to the end as there is a lovely small view terrace at the end of the corridor.

Really loved this and a great place to bring a baby. The meat and risotto was excellent.

Brilliant in every way! Food, wine, service, location. The wild boar is out of this world. Why is there not a 6 star rating I ask

An absolutely outstanding restaurant. I cannot express how good the food here is but it trumps all other places I have been so far in Barolo.

We had a very leisurely lunch at La Cantinetta. The owners were extremely welcoming and generous. The food was delicious, especially the Uovo in pasta and the mixed dessert plate. Thank you for such a wonderful meal, I highly recommend!

Wonderful restaurant in the heart of Barolo, excelente service, the food was amazing

Fantastic food, fantastic service. Fair prices. My wife and I were very happy with our food and service. The owner (we believe he is the owner) is quite a funny guy with a great sense of humor. When we return to Barolo, we will definitely return to La Cantinetta.

Reality recommend this place! Taste the Uovo in Pasta! Sensationell!

Outstanding! Every dish! The ravioli with fresh egg yolk is so beautiful and delicious! Tarjarin pasta is so authentic. I really enjoyed the pate and red onion jam and the owners brought us a pannacotta which was light and heavenly. Service was excellent, staff is friendly and attentive. This is the place to dine in Barolo!!

A great, quick winter lunch od minestrone followed by gnocchi with wild porcini. A proper family restaurant with friendly atmosphere and both food and service easy and relaxed. Very good wine list too, a broad range of local growers.

We had an amazing dinner at this restaurant!
The place was recommended to us by Casa Svizzera.
The owner was very friendly, had us taste a lot of dishes and a great white wine, and we had an amazing dinner.
We will be back!

Amazing place, delicious food, great wine, kind stuff

We first went to La Cantinetta in 1999 on the advice of Gianni, who runs the wine shop opposite. We loved it and have been there every year since, holding a 60th birthday dinner there last year for my husband. I suggest you try the extremely reasonable degustation, though we never get to the meat course, preferring instead to skip to their incomparable panna cotta for dessert. I have never found one as good - and have tried many. Other highlights are the veal tartare, the vitello tonnato and the ‘pasta with the egg’.
Maurilio has an excellent well-priced wine list, and Paolo, his brother, just keeps producing his delicious fare reliably year after year. This time Maurilio warned us that he was finding the pace a bit challenging, so my advice would be to go there soon!