Italian cuisine is irresistible to everyone in the world. Those who discover it return to their favorite dishes in their kitchens, local restaurants, or Italian eateries wherever they travel—and Hollywood superstars are no exception. Some even have Italian origins which makes them particularly selective. Hollywood stars, even those with homes in Italy, choose specific posti del cuore (favorite places) where they can easily hide and enjoy total privacy and pampering. If you are lucky enough on your next trip to Italy to visit one of these restaurants, you may have a celebrity sighting.
Al Gatto Nero
In this brief review of stars’ beloved Italian restaurants, a place of honor belongs to George Clooney’s pick. The most famous American celebrity on the shores of Lake Como, Clooney is an honorary citizen of Laglio, the home of his enchanting Villa Oleandra residence, where he stays in the summer and a few other times throughout the year. George has been seen for years at Al Gatto Nero in Rovenna di Cernobbio thanks to his friendship with owner Paolo. The view is truly one of a kind upon Lake Como. The food is just as mesmerizing. You can find fresh burrata from Andria with arugula and cherry tomatoes and an exquisite risotto with porcini mushrooms and blueberries. Not to mention the timeless classics and contemporary excellence of beverages such as Franciacorta Ca’del Bosco and Super Tuscans Sassicaia and Tignanello present in the fine wine cellar.
When he’s not dining at the Black Cat, George loves to relax at La Colombetta, a restaurant in the center of Como. Sardinian Chef Marianna spoils him with simple yet delicious foods. Robert De Niro, Mick Jagger, and U2’s The Edge are also loyal customers. And when handsome George migrates to Venice he stops at Ivo’s where you can taste spaghetti con caparozzoli and risotto with cuttlefish. Another worthwhile stop is Terrazza Danieli, which is like George’s second home. If you want to feel like a true A-lister, pay a visit and eat at the seven-star Aman Canal Grande Hotel, whose name means tranquility. It is also where George and Amal Clooney were married in 2014.
Antica Pesa
Nestled in the winding cobblestone streets of Trastevere on the west side of the Tiber river, you’ll find a posh meeting point for celebrities including stars such as Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Craig, Scarlet Johansson, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lopez. The star with the best story at this restaurant is surely Leonardo DiCaprio. For the screening of The Revenant, Oscar winner DiCaprio requested, or possibly forced, Antica Pesa to open early.
Run by the Panella family with a sister restaurant in Brooklyn, Antica Pesa celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. High-quality ingredients from the Lazio region allow for delicious creations: fettuccine with artichokes and caciofiore, trippa alla Romana with mint sauce and Pecorino-Romano cheese, veal saltimbocca with sautéed escarole, pine nuts and raisins, and seared rack of lamb with aromatic herbs, raspberry sauce, and puntarelle.
Ristorante Santa Lucia
If you ever wondered where Julia Roberts salivates over pasta and orders her meal in Italian in the movie Eat, Pray, Love, here it is. Ristorante Santa Lucia is much more than a place to have a meal. It offers an exquisite atmosphere of comfortable refinement. The furniture is simple yet filled with personality. Julia tried dishes such as scialatielli with cheese, pepper, and mussels, spaghetti with octopus and pecorino, fettuccine with black or white truffles and orecchiette with lamb sauce.
Gelateria Lo Squero
If your goal is to enjoy gelato at least twice a day in Italy then you must pay a visit to Venice. Angelina Jolie, like millions of people around the world, fell in love with the city while filming The Tourist. The American actress, together with her children, stayed at the Nani Mocenigo Palace Hotel, a noble Venetian building with antique furniture and touches of elegance. She chose Lo Squero as her gelateria, where she was spotted enjoying a scoop of lemon gelato, her favorite flavor, while treating her whole family.
Ristorante Pagnanelli
Keanu Reeves, Nicolas Cage, Daniel-Day Lewis, and Katherine Zeta Jones have one thing in common. They have all fallen in love with Ristorante Pagnanelli. There must be something special about this restaurant since it has been in the Pagnanelli family for 140 years. From one generation to another, the restaurant’s accolades have guaranteed its quality. This charming institution, overlooking Lago Albano in enchanting Castel Gandolfo, has been listed several times in the Michelin’s Guide, l’Espresso Guide, and Gambero Rosso making it no surprise that it is one of the Hollywood stars’ favorite restaurants in Italy.
From the terrace overlooking the lake, you can enjoy a breathtaking view as you order tuna tartare with citrus fruits and balsamic, chicory pancakes with stringy honey, or pumpkin soup with crispy bacon in a bowl of bread. These are just some of the stunning dishes you have the pleasure to try, along with the nearly endless wine list.
Barbara Benzoni
Barbara Benzoni was born in Milan and lives between Rome and Tuscany. She is devoted to USA, the land of courage and innovation. She’s Peter's super-lucky mum and Ale's wife. Cinema, art, good food and only beautiful things are the themes of her existence. With a degree in Italian literature and a Masters in Sports Management she can both enjoys books and basketball matches. In 25 years she has been organizing sport events all over the world and she’s been lucky enough to meet the greatest champs ever. Curiosity in everyday life and people are her drivers. Her personal icon is Mohammed Ali : "It's not bragging if you can back it up".