Il Cigno Trattoria dei Martini

This elegant, delightfully old-fashioned restaurant has been run by the Martini family since the late 1960s and is a temple to Mantuan cuisine. The setting is an attractive 16C building in the historic centre (yet slightly off the beaten track), which has developed around a 15C well, providing a magical ambience for alfresco dining in summer. With so many tempting options on the menu, it’s difficult to make a choice. Specialities include the region’s legendary pumpkin tortelli, delicious veal tripe cooked Mantuan style in a vegetable broth, traditional warm capon breast in a sweet and sour sauce, and a mouthwatering dark chocolate pudding served with a smooth zabaglione.