Osteria Gatto d'Oro

Everything was perfect and the Lady was very hospitable and accomodating…. 1star less because of the price…..We are not new to gourmet but I believe the price is exaggerated……

Dining at Osteria Gatto d’Oro in Toscolano Maderno was an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a perfect blend of rustic charm and refined elegance. What truly made the evening exceptional was the owner. She welcomed us with genuine warmth and treated us like old friends. Her passion for food and hospitality shines through in every detail — from the thoughtfully curated menu to the personal touches throughout the meal. A highlight of the night was when she brought out a fresh truffle and gave us our own to grate over our dishes. It was such a special and unexpected gesture that made the experience feel truly unique and personal. The food was outstanding — every dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. You can tell everything is made with love and high-quality ingredients. Also the massive wine glasses were nothing like I’d ever seen! We left feeling completely taken care of, with full hearts and fuller stomachs. I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s a must-visit if you’re in the area.

What a great spot! While it’s clearly a cat-loving place, our dog was more than welcome—even got a warm hello from the lovely resident poodle. The food was fantastic, and yes, we fully enjoyed a mega pint (or two) of wine. The wine and spirits selection is wild—in the best way. The host was super welcoming, and we had some great, laid-back conversations. She even helped us rent a boat the next day, which was incredibly generous. If you’re on the west side of Lago di Garda (Maderno is, by the way), this place is a must-visit

The restaurant is a must visit! The interior is fascinating, the owner is super nice and the food is just amazing! Freshly made pasta by the wonderful chef, truffles, home made olive oil and so much more! EXTREMELY PET FRIENDLY, all pets are super welcome here! The red wine by the glass was perfect! Also tried the truffle pasta and the lemon pasta - both were unique!

Absolutely amazing experience! Yes, a little pricier than other restaurants nearby, but 100% worth it. We’ve been travelling around Italy for two weeks and this was by far the best food I’ve had. Huge wine selection you can pick from yourself, and our bottle was beautifully decanted. Service was warm and attentive, and we even got to meet the chef — she was so passionate and inspiring. Truly the highlight of our trip! An honourable mention to Roberto on the piano (the chef’s neighbour) he brought tear to both my partner and I eye.

We enjoyed our dinner so much. That's not going out to eat - that's going out to experience. The atmosphere of the place is very special - it feels very out of the ordinary and we loved it! Silver cutlery, beautiful dishes, endless details. The food was good and very special! We loved the blueberry pasta - something you wouldn't really expect to try The dessert was exceptional!

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 wife's head.