Osteria Gatto d'Oro — Restaurant in Comunità Montana Parco Alto Garda bresciano

Review: Osteria Gatto d'Oro – A Whimsical Wonderland on Lake Garda

Nestled in the charming town of Toscolano Maderno on the shores of Lake Garda, Osteria Gatto d’Oro is no ordinary dining experience—it’s a journey down the rabbit hole into a world that feels straight out of a Lewis Carroll fairy tale.

From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in a truly majestic and magical interior that’s as eccentric as it is enchanting. With a striking cat-themed décor, every corner of the restaurant tells a different story. Antiques, trinkets, and curious treasures abound, creating a visual feast that feels like dining in an imaginative dreamscape curated by the Mad Hatter himself. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for us, it added a distinctive charm that felt rare and utterly memorable.

Equally captivating was the table setting, which spoke of a commitment to elegance often forgotten in contemporary dining. Impeccable silverware, along with crisp white cotton tablecloths and matching napkins, gave a sense of formality and occasion without ever feeling stuffy. It’s a detail that many fine dining establishments have abandoned, but here it felt both nostalgic and refreshing.

The restaurant’s magic is embodied in its owner—a wonderfully vivid and charismatic woman whose personality mirrors the décor perfectly. Her passion is infectious, and her presence added an intimate and personal touch to our evening. She not only brought the space to life but also expertly guided us through the menu.

And the food? Just as unforgettable. Her recommendations brought us to dishes that were uniquely inventive takes on Italian classics. A special mention must go to the Blueberry and Bacon Pasta—a daring and delicious combination that surprised and delighted us. The homemade desserts are also worth savouring, each one a little masterpiece to round off a meal that was full of discovery.

In all, Osteria Gatto d’Oro is more than a restaurant—it’s an experience. One that we would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone in the area who enjoys dining with a touch of whimsy, personality, and...

TLDR: Amazing vegan options (I counted 15) that are NOT marked, but just talk with the owner and they will set you up. I have a picture of the English menu with the vegan options highlighted in green from my memory of the owner telling me about while we were there. There may be more or less when you visit.

Atmosphere: Cat motifs EVERYWHERE. Cat paintings, sculptures, pillow cases, cushions, and so much more. If you hate cats... well do you even have a soul? It is over the top and cozy and eclectic and fun and we loved it!

Service: The owner is very nice and speaks multiple languages including English and German. The menu is translated in Italian, French, German, and English for easy reading. I asked the owner why the vegan options are not marked, she said they didn't want the menu to look messy and for people not to order the vegan options because they are afraid of the word. I totally get that and recommended to her that they should create a small menu for vegans separately that people could ask for and easily order from. I really hope they do that!

Food: Delicious! We ate there for lunch and dinner as there were no good vegan options in the area and we were not disappointed. The red sauce as a tad too sweet for our liking and the truffle pasta has a little too much salt, but that is just a matter of taste. Literally, every dish is made from scratch right then and there so be prepared to wait and enjoy. They are NOT doing the typical assembly line prep of a professional kitchen. This is like your family cooking for you and you feel the love! Overall, everything was delicious, huge, and super interesting! The menu is filled with unique takes on classic dishes that no other restaurant in the area has. 10/10 and would definitely visit again!

P.S. if you like wine... they have REALLY generous pours in glasses larger than my...

The interior is honestly stunning & original, well thought-out, and a real experience. The food started off well too. So we were initially excited.

But then came the shift. The owner is extremely skilled, not in hospitality, unfortunately, but in gently pressuring guests to spend more money. A true professional in passive-aggressive upselling. Maybe it was our fault not doing better research about the prices before coming here. But almost being pushed to order an aperol spritz (for 17€) and comments like” a table outside, for an expensive bottle of wine”, made the tone pretty clear. Even when paying, we got a pointed “Do you want the change back?” after we had already paid over €80 for a modest meal.

The service wasn’t outright rude, but it became noticeably faster and less attentive the moment it was clear we weren’t going to order a cocktail (€20), a bottle of wine, or the priciest dish on the menu. We didn’t feel welcome, the message was subtle, but clear.

Now, about those prices: €25 for a simple pasta dish with pretty standard ingredients, €4 per person cover charge, €17 for an Aperol Spritz, and €10 for a local alcohol-free beer. This isn’t Milan or Paris - and even there, those prices would raise an eyebrow. For Italy, it’s honestly absurd.

We left feeling a bit uncomfortable, a bit judged, and the next morning… with stomach cramps. Possibly unrelated, but hard to ignore.

Bottom line: gorgeous decor, decent food, but an atmosphere that prioritizes profit over genuine...