Osteria Francescana (Modena, Italy)

Osteria Francescana had been at the top of my wish list for many years, so I was incredibly excited to finally visit Modena and experience it for myself. Given its three Michelin stars and legendary reputation, I expected nothing short of perfection. The dishes were undeniably beautiful, some of them felt more like works of art. However, the overall experience didn't quite live up to my expectations, especially when compared to other three Michelin-starred restaurants I've visited. One of the highlights of the meal was the Jazz Duck, which was an absolute masterpiece. Unfortunately, despite the creativity and presentation, I left feeling hungry, something that has never happened to me at any other Michelin-starred restaurant. It genuinely felt as though another main course was missing from the menu. Another small disappointment was that the servers spoke very quietly while presenting the dishes, making it difficult to fully follow the explanations behind each course. I would also add that there wasn't the usual warmth in service I have felt while dining at similar establishments. I want to emphasize that this is simply an honest reflection of my experience. For a restaurant of this caliber, I expected to leave feeling completely satisfied, both by the meal itself and by the overall experience. That said, I truly appreciated Chef taking the time to visit every table and personally speak with the guests. It was a thoughtful touch and a memorable part of the lunch. Despite my disappointment, I would return in a few years to see if the experience has improved.

An elegant and amazing experience. The ambience was terrific. The staff were beyond prepared and extremely knowledgeable from wine and food combinations to the dishes themselves. Chef Massimo Bottura of Modena, Italy has created an incredible menu that is detailed and really encapsulates Italian cuisine. After the meal he introduced himself to our table and gave us insight on his dishes he has created. It was a wonderful experience getting to meet him. There is a reason this is a 3 star Michelin restaurant. I 100% recommend you reserve a table if you are in the area.

Lovely experience, with fantastic food and staff. The menu is interesting and diverse, with many great dishes, but also a few that did not match our taste. For a very special occasion, I think it may be well worth the expense. I think the title of “best in the world” can lead to over blown expectations; I would suggest coming with just expectations for unique and well thought out food, and enjoy the experience. Came for lunch, and the whole thing was about 3.5 hours long

Incredible dining experience. We had one vegetarian tasting and one normal tasting menu and both of us were blown away by the taste, the beauty, and the creativity of the dishes. The service was 100% (which goes without saying), and the atmosphere was incredible. My favorite part of dinner (outside of the food) was walking into the dining room through an intense red hallway being greeted so warmly by the staff. I feel so lucky my husband and I were able to come here and enjoy this once in a lifetime meal.

Celebrated my birthday lunch here, and it was perfect. We did the tasting menu, and each course was so unique and so flavourful. We also really enjoyed the thinking behind the menu, and the connection of each dish with a cultural, artistic or social context. The service is well paced and attentive, special shoutout to Alberto for taking such great care of us and making the occasion feel special.