Experiences
MamaGina isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a feeling. A terrace above the clouds, a glass of wine at golden hour, and the kind of Italian food that makes you never want to leave.
Cooking Class: From Zero to Gnocchi Hero
Roll up your sleeves and learn to make authentic Italian gnocchi from scratch — guided step by step by our chef Gina, with Lake Como as your backdrop. This is not a show. You get your hands in the dough, you laugh, you learn, and then you sit down to eat everything you just made.
A relaxed, joyful, hands-on experience that connects you to Italian food culture in the most genuine way possible. Perfect for couples, friends, families, or anyone who believes that the best souvenir from Italy is a recipe you can take home.
“The cooking class didn’t feel like an activity we had to fit in. It felt like a moment added naturally to our days.”
Sunset Aperitivo on the Terrace
There’s a moment, every evening, when Lake Como turns gold. The mountains soften, the boats below become silhouettes, and everything slows down. This is when you’re sitting on our terrace above the lake, a Negroni or Aperol Spritz in hand, with bruschette and Italian antipasti on the table.
Our 180° panoramic terrace in Brunate is one of the most breathtaking aperitivo spots on Lake Como. It’s not just drinks — it’s the moment you realize why people fall in love with this place. And yes, your friends will be envious of that photo.
A Full Italian Day at MamaGina
MamaGina was designed to be lived, not just visited. Many of our guests arrive for morning coffee on the terrace and don’t leave until dinner is over.
Morning: A cappuccino and homemade pastry with a view that wakes you up better than caffeine ever could.
Lunch: Fresh pasta, polenta from Lombardy, fish from the lake. Unhurried, generous, exactly how Italian lunch should be.
Aperitivo: The golden hour. Cocktails, the terrace, the sunset. This is the part people remember most.
Dinner: Candlelight on the terrace in summer. The warm bistro room in winter. Our signature dishes, a bottle of local wine, and nowhere else you’d rather be.
The Brunate Experience
Getting to MamaGina is part of the adventure. Take the historic funicular railway from Como — a charming 7-minute ride that climbs 500 meters above the lake through lush forests. As you ascend, the panorama unfolds beneath you: Lake Como, the city, the distant Alps.
Once in Brunate — known as “the balcony of the Alps” — stroll through the quiet village streets, discover the Faro Voltiano lighthouse, and breathe in air that feels different from the lake below. Then find your table at MamaGina, where the view from our terrace makes the journey worth every step.
This isn’t just dinner. It’s an experience that starts with a funicular, unfolds through a mountaintop village, and ends with the best Italian food overlooking Lake Como.
Private Dining & Group Experiences
Whether it’s a family celebration, a corporate retreat, or a group of friends exploring Lake Como, MamaGina can host your special occasion with a personalized touch. Our team creates custom menus, arranges table settings, and ensures every detail reflects the importance of the moment.
With space both indoors and on our panoramic terrace, we accommodate intimate dinners and larger groups alike — always with the same warmth, the same quality, and the same unforgettable view of Lake Como from Brunate.
A Taste of Lombardy
At MamaGina, every dish tells the story of this region. Our polenta comes from a tradition that’s been alive in these mountains for centuries. Our lake fish — perch, pike, whitefish — is sourced locally from Lake Como. Our pasta is handmade daily. And our tiramisù? It’s become so famous that guests ask for it before they’ve even sat down.
This is not fine dining in the formal sense. It’s Italian food made with care, served with pride, in a setting that makes everything taste better. The kind of meal you’ll describe to friends back home — and the reason many of our guests come back year after year.
Ready to Experience It?
Book your table and let us do the rest. Whether it’s a sunset aperitivo, a full Italian day, or a private celebration — MamaGina is waiting for you above the clouds.