This week we’re in Lake Como with Davide Caranchini, chef of Michelin-starred Materia.
Davide is one of the leading chefs of his generation in Italy. He was named Best Young Chef of the Year by L’Espresso, included in Forbes 30 Under 30, and was named Chef of the Year by Identità Golose. His restaurant, Materia, has held a Michelin star since 2018 and has also been included in 50 Best Discovery.
I first heard about Davide two years ago from Niko Romito, the three-Michelin-starred chef behind Reale, ranked No. 18 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025. He told me Materia was one of the most interesting restaurants he had eaten at in Italy and that Davide was a chef to remember. I did.
In this edition, Davide shares:
The Lake Como restaurants he takes visiting chefs to, including places most would never find
Where he goes for aperitivo, from full Dolce Vita to the locals’ favorite on the water
Where to find Como’s best pastries and gelato
How to experience Lake Como like a local—from what not to miss to the best time to see the real Como
A Google Map with every location mentioned is included at the end of the interview.