Italian cuisine has long been celebrated for its tradition, craftsmanship, and deep connection to the land. As chefs and restaurateurs become more mindful of their environmental impact, from sourcing ingredients responsibly to reducing waste, the demand for dining experiences that balance indulgence with accountability has never been greater. Michelin’s Green Star recognition sets a new benchmark, spotlighting restaurants that go beyond exceptional cuisine to embrace sustainability at their core. These establishments aren’t just serving remarkable food; they’re reshaping the way we think about dining. Here, we’ve selected a few standout restaurants that are leading the way, proving that great food and a lighter footprint can go hand in hand.

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1. Joia

MICHELIN Three Stars & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @joia_altacucinanaturale
Address | via Panfilo Castaldi 18, Milan, 20124, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 02 2952 2124

Joia, located in Milan, is a trailblazer in sustainable gastronomy. Under the guidance of Chef Pietro Leemann, the restaurant offers a vegetarian menu that celebrates nature, featuring seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms. Dishes are thoughtfully crafted to highlight purity, balance, and flavor, turning plant-based cuisine into an art form.

2. I Tenerumi

MICHELIN One Star & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @tenerumi_restaurant
Address | Vulcano Island, 98050 Vulcanello ME, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 090 985 2555

Situated on the stunning Aeolian island of Vulcano, I Tenerumi offers a creative approach to vegetarian cuisine. The restaurant, led by chef Davide Guidara, combines Mediterranean influences with innovative cooking techniques to produce dishes that are visually stunning and environmentally responsible. The open-air dining concept, surrounded by lush gardens, enhances the connection between food and nature.

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3. Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler

MICHELIN Three Stars & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @atelier_moessmer_nnk

‍Address | via Walther Von der Vogelweide 17, Brunico, 39031, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 0474 646629

Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, located in Brunico, is renowned for its creative Alpine cuisine. Helmed by Chef Norbert Niederkofler, the restaurant champions sustainability by utilizing locally sourced ingredients from the Alpine region. With a menu that evolves with the seasons, the restaurant offers guests an authentic taste of the Alps while promoting environmental stewardship through its culinary practices.

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4. Osteria Francescana

MICHELIN Three Stars & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine
Instagram | @massimobottura

Address | via Stella 22, Modena, 41121, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 059 223912

Massimo Bottura’s three-Michelin-starred masterpiece, Osteria Francescana, is renowned worldwide. A destination in itself, the restaurant reimagines Italian cuisine with playful reinterpretations of classic dishes as Bottura flaunts his attention to detail and enthusiasm for art. Osteria Francescana also aims to fight food insecurity and reduce food waste through their nonprofit organization, Food for Soul.

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5. Dal Pescatore

MICHELIN Three Stars & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @dalpescatoresantin
Address | largo Febo 2, Rome, 00186, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 0376 723001

Few restaurants embody Italian hospitality like Dal Pescatore, a family-run gem that has been serving impeccable cuisine since 1925. The Santini family’s approach to contemporary Italian cooking is deeply rooted in tradition, with meticulously crafted pasta, delicate seafood, and expertly prepared meats. The experience here feels timeless, blending warmth with quiet sophistication.

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6. Piazza Duomo

MICHELIN Three Stars & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @piazzaduomoalba
Address | vicolo dell'Arco 1, angolo piazza Risorgimento 4, Alba, 12051, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +31 20 462 4562

Set in the heart of truffle country, Piazza Duomo is a temple to Piedmontese flavors. Chef Enrico Crippa’s dishes are a vibrant reflection of the region, with hyper-seasonal ingredients sourced from his own biodynamic garden. Expect a balance of precision and artistry, whether it’s in the form of delicate vegetable-forward creations or luxurious truffle-infused specialties.

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7. Grow Restaurant

MICHELIN One Star & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @grow.restaurant
Address | via San Valerio 4, Albiate, 20847, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 0362 136 0111

At Grow Restaurant, the name is more than symbolic. Located in the Lombardy countryside, this understated yet ambitious spot is built around the rhythms of nature. Chef Matteo Vergine sources from nearby farms and his own garden, producing a menu that is both deeply seasonal and quietly inventive. The dishes are unfussy yet elegant, with flavors that speak for themselves.

8. Vignamare

MICHELIN One Star & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @ristorantevignamare
Address | strada Castello, 20 - Colla Micheri, Andora, 17051, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 351 713 5050

Overlooking the Ligurian Sea, Vignamare offers a menu that bridges the region’s dual identities: the land and the water. Chef Giorgio Servetto takes a measured approach, allowing the purity of his ingredients, including fresh seafood, just-picked vegetables, and estate-grown olive oil, to define each dish. The result is cooking that is restrained but deeply expressive, much like the landscape that surrounds it.

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9. D.One Restaurant

MICHELIN One Star & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @equi_table
Address | via del Borgo 1, Montepagano, 64026, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 085 894 4508

In the quiet medieval village of Montepagano, D.One Restaurant makes a compelling case for the future of country cooking. Chef Davide Pezzuto applies a modern sensibility to rich culinary traditions, reimagining classic dishes with a lighter, more nuanced touch. The intimate setting, combined with a wine program that highlights small regional producers, makes dining here feel like stepping into an extended conversation about place, history, and the possibilities of contemporary Italian cuisine.

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10. Oasis - Sapori Antichi

MICHELIN One Star & MICHELIN Green Star Modern Cuisine

Instagram | @oasis_saporiantichi
Address | via Provinciale 8/10, Vallesaccarda, 83050, Italy Google Map
Reservation | Website
Phone | +39 0827 97021

In the small town of Vallesaccarda, far from Italy’s well-trodden culinary hotspots, Oasis has quietly built a reputation for excellence. Run by the Fischetti family for generations, the restaurant is a study in balance: between Campanian tradition and modern technique, between indulgence and restraint. Run by Michelina Fischetti and her granddaughter Serena Falco, the menu highlights the best of the region, from expertly crafted handmade pastas to dishes showcasing locally raised meats and heirloom vegetables. 

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As the dining world evolves, these Michelin Green Star restaurants exemplify a new standard where sustainability and exceptional cuisine coexist harmoniously. Whether through creative vegetarian dishes, seasonal offerings, or locally sourced ingredients, these chefs are leading the charge in reshaping how we approach food. Their commitment to both environmental stewardship and culinary innovation shows that sustainability is a vital part of the future of dining, offering a deeper connection to the land and its resources.