Il Laghetto - SANTA MARIA DEL MOLISE

We last visited this restaurant in 2019 following a family trip to Spinete with sister and brother in law, we returned today same crew plus my in laws family that lives locally. We popped in for lunch, they set us up outside, thankfully we had a light breakfast!! Food was outstanding and it kept coming, it was delicious. We had antipasti, must of been at least eight plates, filled by gnocchi and pasta. Washed down with local beer and wine, what’s not to like !! Fantastic service and great food a must visit for anyone in the area.

I’ve had the pleasure of eating here several times, it is my go to restaurant in the province of Isernia. The food is always fresh and amazing and prices more than reasonable. Now that I live in Santa Maria del Molise, I make sure to bring any visitors, so they can eat like the locals.

Il Laghetto has parking, both indoor and outdoor seating and is surrounded by a green garden and a small lake. This was our first visit but will not be our last. The place has no menu and if you plan to dine here on the weekend it is best you make a reservation ahead of time. Il Laghetto and its owner-chef, Michelina Tedesco, proposes traditional cuisine with a touch of refinement. The best way to explore it is to start with a number of orders of antipasti (an endless collection of different preparations of cold cuts, cheese, vegetables, etc. which represent a journey in molisana culinary tradition. In our case, we were three persons and so we got two orders of antipasti. These were so delicious and filling that we then order as primo a small portion of pasta (paccheri al pomodoro and then skipped to the delicious dessert (tiramisu al limone if I remember correctly , espresso and amaro. We accompanied our meal with a great local house red wine. The service was both courteous and attentive and the prices are reasonable.

This is a wonderful place to eat. We actually arrived after lunch and before dinner, but were met at the door, seated on the patio, and after small talk, were told to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the dining experience. We were served 14 different small plates, two plates of pasta, and drinks in a non hurried, very relaxed environment. It was, by far, the best dining experience we have ever had. I am still laughing when we asked for a menu in the begin, and the manager said, no menu, I bring you food. It was amazing. Stunningly delicious too. We were a little worried, as up till that point we didnt know the prices, but when we asked for the bill, I couldnt believe how affordable it was...and given the experience, we of course will be back on our next trip to Rome.

Nice clean place. Beautiful outdoor garden. Best to make a reservation. Food is great. There is a menu that they just bring you the food, or you can order from a menu.