Lake Garda has a centuries-old lake food tradition. Here are the fish and dishes you absolutely must try.
Garda fish
- Whitefish (lavaret): the most common fish in the lake, with a delicate flavor. It is served grilled, in a salt crust or as carpaccio.
- Tench: traditional fish of the lower lake. Baked tench with polenta is the signature dish of the Clusane area (Lake Iseo) but is also found on Lake Garda.
- Pike: traditionally prepared in sauce (with capers, anchovies and oil). A classic of Brescian cuisine.
- Dried sardines (aole): small Garda sardines are dried in the sun and then grilled. Intense flavor, to accompany with polenta.
- Trout: from the cold northern waters of the lake. Smoked trout salmon is a delicacy.
- Perch: fried perch fillet is a classic of Garda dining. Crispy outside, tender inside.
The must-try dishes
- Perch risotto: risotto whipped with perch fillets and melted butter.
- Bigoli con le sardine: long spaghetti-like pasta with lake sardine sauce, onion and oil.
- Grilled whitefish: perfect simplicity, with Garda EVO oil and lemon.
- Carpione: fish fried and marinated in vinegar, onion and herbs. Eaten cold, perfect in summer.
