La Darsena Ristorante Pizzeria Como — Restaurant in Como

Disappointing experience

I visited La Darsena and clearly mentioned upon arrival that I have coeliac disease (severe gluten allergy) and needed them to be careful with cross-contamination. I was assured this wouldn’t be a problem.

However, I was first served a pasta dish that looked very glutenous (thick tagliatelle). After checking with the staff, it turned out it did contain gluten — luckily, I hadn’t eaten any yet. They quickly replaced it with a gluten-free version. Halfway through the dish, I started experiencing stomach pain and found a full strand of regular tagliatelle mixed in. When I brought this up, the response was: “We’re so sorry. Yes, we use the same spoon — that might be why.”

We left shortly after due to my stomach pain.

The waiter was kind and understanding, and we weren’t charged for the dish, which I appreciated. The wine was nice, the food itself was okay — not particularly special. However, I suspect the kitchen wasn’t very careful that evening.

Update: Later that night, my fiancée and I became very sick, experiencing symptoms including vomiting. We suspect we may have gotten food poisoning...

Came in for a late lunch last week & walked away wishing I had gone somewhere else. First of all, the older gentleman posted outside who yells towards customers across the street to try to get them to come in was annoying to say the least. We got seated next to the open windows & heard him yelling "Buongiorno, please come in, we are the best" the ENTIRE time we ate. By the way, their food was definitely NOT the best but subpar. We were 1 out of the 3 tables of people that were in that restaurant during the time so the kitchen was definitely not busy & the food came out somewhat bland (at least it didn't wow us like other places had). Once we were seated the wait staff was taking their sweet time & once the food was served almost disappeared completely... & again, the restaurant was empty so not sure why they weren't more attentive.

The restaurant itself is really nice but DO NOT get swept up by the veiws. Get away from that main street & try something on a back road like we should have. I've had better luck doing that so I'm mad at myself for...

Having decided on another pizzeria along the waterfront earlier in the day, it was coming back from a day trip that we were greeted by Giorgio as we glanced at the menu to see if it was the place I'd seen earlier. It wasn't, and as we started to walk on, I was asked what it was I fancied. That evening it had to be a 4-meat pizza. Giorgio assured me it would be no problem and it wasn't. I am beyond pleased that we stayed. Their pizzas were incredible. I had one with salami, special aged piccante salami, bresaola and prosciutto. Heaven. My wife had a funghi. In fairness many of the restaurants along Lake Como will most likely offer delicious food with equally picturesque views of the harbour. What set La Darsena apart however was the outstanding customer service and friendliness of the staff and as a bonus, free WiFi. We were made to feel very welcome, with nothing being too much trouble at all. I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough and should we visit Lake Como again, will make a point of returning...