Restaurant in Pontelongo, Italy
Two tasting menus, one Michelin star, genuine value.
Lazzaro 1915 earned its Michelin star in 2024 and makes a strong case as the top special occasion booking in the Padua province. The sibling-run restaurant offers two tasting menus — an eight-course DNA and a weekly-rotating four-course vegetable menu — at a €€€ price point that undercuts most starred peers in northern Italy. Book ahead: weekend dinner reservations are hard to come by.
Lazzaro 1915 earned its Michelin star in 2024, and the recognition is deserved. This is a family-run restaurant in Pontelongo — a small town in the Padua province that most visitors to the Veneto would pass without stopping , run by siblings Daniela and Piergiorgio Siviero. Daniela manages the room with the kind of front-of-house fluency that makes a long tasting menu feel relaxed rather than ceremonial. Piergiorgio runs the kitchen. For a special occasion dinner in the greater Padua area, this is the booking to prioritise. It is harder to secure than most diners expect, and the two-menu format means you need to choose your format before you arrive.
The building that houses Lazzaro 1915 has a specific history worth knowing before you arrive: it was originally a rest stop for horses and a hospitality point for workers from the sugar factory that once operated across the road. What you see now is a contemporary family restaurant that has absorbed that utilitarian past and turned it into something warmer. The space reads as welcoming rather than grand , there is no performance of luxury here, which makes it the right choice for celebrants who find high-formality dining rooms distracting. For guests drawn to the austere drama of a room like Osteria Francescana in Modena, the visual register here will feel lower-key. That is not a shortcoming; it is a calibration question. If the food is the event, Lazzaro 1915 delivers.
Lazzaro 1915 runs two tasting menus. The first, called "DNA", is eight courses and represents the kitchen's full technical range: regional fish and meat, prepared in ways that are creative without being obtuse. The second, "Campagna Liquida", is four courses, changes weekly, and puts vegetables at the centre. That weekly rotation is a meaningful commitment , it signals that the kitchen is working from what is available and seasonal rather than from a fixed showreel. If you are visiting more than once, the vegetable menu gives you a genuinely different experience each time. For a first visit focused on a special occasion, the eight-course DNA menu is the stronger choice: it covers more ground and gives you a fuller read on what the kitchen can do.
Wine pairings are handled by Daniela, who will steer you through a list that includes some less-obvious selections alongside the regional anchors you would expect in a Veneto restaurant at this price point. Trust her guidance , the list is curated rather than encyclopaedic, which usually means the recommendations are more considered.
Lazzaro 1915 is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, with lunch service on Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, and a slightly extended Sunday lunch running from noon to 2:30 PM. The restaurant is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. For a weekend dinner , the most in-demand slot for special occasion visits , plan to book well in advance. Booking difficulty is rated hard, which means walk-in attempts are not a practical strategy. Contact the restaurant directly to check availability; there is no online booking system listed. Sunday lunch is a lower-pressure entry point if your date flexibility allows it, and the extended window gives the meal more room to breathe.
No private dining room is confirmed in the current venue data, and seat count is not published. If you are planning a group celebration , a significant birthday, a business dinner, or a multi-couple anniversary meal , contact the restaurant directly and ask specifically about group arrangements. Given the family-run scale of the operation and the intimacy of the format, Lazzaro 1915 is more naturally suited to parties of two to four than to larger groups. For groups of six or more, the fixed tasting menu format works in your favour logistically: no one is negotiating a la carte orders, and the pacing is managed by the kitchen. Daniela's front-of-house presence is noted explicitly in the Michelin description as charming and professional, which suggests the room is managed with enough attentiveness to handle a celebratory party well. For larger private events, venues with dedicated private dining infrastructure , such as Le Calandre in Rubano or Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli in Verona , are better-equipped options.
Lazzaro 1915 is priced at €€€, which in the context of a Michelin-starred tasting menu in northern Italy represents genuine value. Comparable starred restaurants in the region, including Dal Pescatore in Runate, operate at €€€€. The Google review rating sits at 4.7 from 179 reviews, which is a meaningful signal at this review volume , it suggests consistent execution rather than a handful of exceptional nights skewing the average. For the price tier, the combination of a Michelin star, strong public ratings, and a weekly-rotating vegetable menu gives Lazzaro 1915 a strong value argument relative to its starred peers in the Veneto.
If you are building an itinerary around northern Italian fine dining, Lazzaro 1915 is the most accessible price point in this comparison set. Dal Pescatore and Osteria Francescana both operate at €€€€ and carry significantly heavier booking demand. Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler in Brunico is geographically separate and runs a more conceptually driven tasting format. Reale in Castel di Sangro is a long way south. For Veneto-based diners, the most direct peer comparison is Le Calandre in Rubano, which sits closer to Padua and operates at a higher price tier with a more established international profile. If Le Calandre is unavailable or outside your budget, Lazzaro 1915 is the most credentialed alternative in the province. Also worth considering for context: Uliassi in Senigallia and Piazza Duomo in Alba for regional Italian dining at the leading end, and Agli Amici Rovinj if your itinerary extends into Croatia. For guidance on where to stay or drink around Pontelongo, see our full Pontelongo hotels guide, our full Pontelongo bars guide, and our full Pontelongo wineries guide. The full Pontelongo restaurants guide covers the wider dining picture in the area, and the Pontelongo experiences guide is useful if you are building a full day around the visit.
Yes, at €€€ for a Michelin-starred tasting menu in the Veneto, it is well-priced relative to peers. Most comparable starred restaurants in northern Italy , including Dal Pescatore , operate at €€€€. The 4.7 Google rating from 179 reviews supports the view that quality is consistent, not occasional.
Pontelongo itself has a limited dining scene beyond Lazzaro 1915. For starred alternatives in the wider Veneto and northern Italy, consider Le Calandre in Rubano (closer to Padua, higher price tier), Casa Perbellini 12 Apostoli in Verona, or Enrico Bartolini in Milan if you are travelling further afield. See our full Pontelongo restaurants guide for local context.
It can, but you should contact the restaurant directly to confirm arrangements , no private room is listed in current venue data. The tasting menu format suits groups logistically, but the intimate scale of the operation makes parties of two to four the more natural fit. For groups of six or more who need a private dining room, Le Calandre in Rubano is a more infrastructure-ready option in the region.
The eight-course DNA menu is the stronger choice for a first visit: it gives you the fullest read on Piergiorgio's technical range across regional fish and meat. The four-course Campagna Liquida is a genuine alternative if vegetables are your preference or if you are returning. The Michelin star (2024) and consistent public ratings both support the view that the kitchen executes at the level the format demands.
No dress code is specified in the venue data. Given the contemporary family restaurant setting and the €€€ price point , rather than the white-tablecloth formality of a €€€€ operation , smart casual is a safe read. You are not likely to feel out of place in a well-put-together outfit that stops short of black tie.
The tasting menu format works for solo diners , you are not navigating a shared ordering situation. Whether there is counter seating or a preference for solo placement is not confirmed in current data, so flag your solo booking when you contact the restaurant. The front-of-house approach, described as charming and professional, suggests solo guests are well looked after rather than ignored.
It is one of the stronger special occasion options in the Padua province. The Michelin star, the family-run intimacy, and Daniela Siviero's attentive front-of-house presence make it better suited to a meaningful dinner than a quick meal. For a birthday, anniversary, or significant date, the eight-course DNA menu with wine pairing is the format to book. Secure your table well in advance , weekend dinner slots fill quickly.
| Venue | Cuisine | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lazzaro 1915 | Italian Contemporary | Although it is now home to a welcoming and contemporary family restaurant, this building was once used as a place to rest horses and provide hospitality to workers from the sugar factory opposite. Daniela Siviero oversees the front of house with charm and professionalism, while her brother Piergiorgio is at the helm in the kitchen. The restaurant serves two tasting menus: “DNA”, an 8-course menu showcasing technically creative cuisine that focuses on regional fish and meat options prepared in different ways, and the 4-course “Campagna Liquida” which changes weekly and on which vegetables take pride of place. Daniela will recommend the best wine pairing from a well-structured wine list that includes some real gems.; Although it is now home to a welcoming and contemporary family restaurant, this building was once used as a place to rest horses and provide hospitality to workers from the sugar factory opposite. Daniela Siviero oversees the front of house with charm and professionalism, while her brother Piergiorgio is at the helm in the kitchen. The restaurant serves two tasting menus: “DNA”, an 8-course menu showcasing technically creative cuisine that focuses on regional fish and meat options prepared in different ways, and the 4-course “Campagna Liquida” which changes weekly and on which vegetables take pride of place. Daniela will recommend the best wine pairing from a well-structured wine list that includes some real gems.; Michelin 1 Star (2024) | Hard | — |
| Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler | Italian, Creative | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Dal Pescatore | Italian, Italian Contemporary | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Osteria Francescana | Progressive Italian, Creative | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Quattro Passi | Italian, Mediterranean Cuisine | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Reale | Progressive Italian, Modern Cuisine | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
What to weigh when choosing between Lazzaro 1915 and alternatives.
At €€€ for a Michelin-starred tasting menu in a small Veneto town, yes — this is genuinely good value for the category. Comparable starred restaurants in northern Italy charge meaningfully more for a similar format. The 8-course DNA menu or the weekly-changing 4-course Campagna Liquida give you two price-point options, and Daniela Siviero's wine pairing recommendations add real utility to the experience.
There are no direct Michelin-starred alternatives in Pontelongo itself — Lazzaro 1915 is the destination here. If you are building a wider Veneto or northern Italy fine dining itinerary, Dal Pescatore and Osteria Francescana are the regional reference points at a higher price tier. For the Veneto specifically, Lazzaro 1915 is the most accessible starred option at €€€.
No private dining room is confirmed in the venue data, and seat count is not published. check the venue's official channels before booking a group celebration — a family-run operation of this size in a small town may have capacity constraints or require advance notice for parties larger than four. Tuesday and Wednesday closures also limit flexibility around multi-day group itineraries.
If you want a structured, chef-driven meal, yes. The DNA menu at 8 courses gives you the full kitchen range across regional fish and meat, while the 4-course Campagna Liquida is a weekly-changing vegetable-focused alternative — a better choice if you want something lighter or more seasonal. Both formats are supported by a wine list that Daniela Siviero navigates for you, which removes the guesswork. If you prefer à la carte, this is not your venue.
The venue data describes Lazzaro 1915 as a contemporary family restaurant with a welcoming tone, and Michelin's own notes emphasise charm over formality. A Michelin-starred setting in northern Italy generally calls for neat, presentable clothing rather than a jacket-and-tie standard. Dress thoughtfully, but this is not a white-tablecloth-formality situation.
Nothing in the venue data rules it out, and a tasting menu format typically works well for solo diners who want a structured progression without ordering decisions. Daniela Siviero's front-of-house presence — noted for charm and professionalism — makes a solo visit feel hosted rather than awkward. Book ahead; the restaurant has limited hours and a Michelin star, so walk-in availability is not guaranteed.
Yes — a 2024 Michelin star, a sibling team running both kitchen and floor, and two distinct tasting menus make this a credible choice for a birthday, anniversary, or celebratory dinner. The €€€ price point keeps it accessible relative to starred alternatives in the region. Book well in advance: the restaurant is closed Tuesday and Wednesday, and evening service runs only to 9:30 PM, so timing discipline matters.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
