Aromi Reopens at Hilton Molino Stucky with a Spectacular Culinary Journey by Chef Ivan Fargnoli
Hidden along the tranquil waterfront of Giudecca Island, Aromi has reopened for the 2026 season, unveiling an ambitious new menu by Executive Chef Ivan Fargnoli that promises to transform dinner into a sensory voyage across continents, memories, and flavors.
Located within the iconic Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, Aromi has long been considered one of Venice’s most exclusive gastronomic experiences. Set away from the busiest tourist pathways of San Marco, the restaurant occupies a privileged position on Giudecca Island, where panoramic lagoon views, elegant architecture, and a sense of refined tranquility create an atmosphere that feels worlds apart from the city’s crowds.
Open from May through the end of September, Aromi embodies the romance of Venetian summer evenings. Guests arrive by private boat or shuttle, stepping into a setting where contemporary luxury meets historic grandeur. Inside, the dining room is intimate and understated, allowing the cuisine to command attention. Outside, the canalside terrace offers one of the most enchanting al fresco dining experiences in Venice, with tables overlooking shimmering waters and the city skyline glowing at sunset. During summer nights, live music drifts softly across the lagoon, adding to the cinematic atmosphere.
Discover the Culinary Mastery of Chef Ivan Fargnoli
But the true star of Aromi’s 2026 reopening is Chef Ivan Fargnoli’s entirely new culinary concept — a menu that blends Italian craftsmanship with subtle Asian influences and deeply personal storytelling.
“Aromi is about storytelling through flavor,” explains Chef Fargnoli. “Every dish reflects my experiences across cultures and my passion for combining Italian excellence with Asian influences. This new menu is designed as a journey.”
That journey begins immediately with a sequence of beautifully composed starters that balance precision, texture, and unexpected contrasts. Squid tagliolini arrives immersed in ginger dashi and topped with luxurious Kaluga caviar, while Hamachi amberjack is elevated through tomato essence and basil infusion. Elsewhere, duck tartare paired with oyster mayonnaise and lagoon herbs captures both Venetian terroir and international inspiration in a single plate.
The menu’s progression feels almost theatrical, moving gracefully between land and sea, tradition and innovation. Seared sweetbreads with Sichuan pepper showcase Chef Fargnoli’s confidence with bold seasoning, while the pasta and risotto courses celebrate Italian culinary heritage through imaginative reinterpretation. Sea urchin spaghetti enriched with yuzu kosho bisque offers a striking marriage of Mediterranean and Japanese flavors, while chicken liver tortelli with Buddha’s hand citron balances richness with aromatic citrus complexity.
Vegetables are treated with equal reverence. One of the most surprising dishes on the menu is a sophisticated zucchini creation featuring vegan garum and puffed quinoa, demonstrating the kitchen’s ability to elevate humble ingredients into haute cuisine artistry. The artichoke risotto infused with Cynar captures Venice’s connection to bitter herbal flavors and lagoon agriculture, creating a dish that feels unmistakably rooted in the region.
Main courses continue the culinary narrative with dramatic elegance. Glacier 51 toothfish is paired with sweet garlic and salted lemon for a delicate yet deeply savory composition. Wagyu beef arrives with beetroot barbecue and hazelnut, while glazed eel with umeboshi and rhubarb introduces sweet, acidic, and umami layers in perfect harmony. Pigeon accompanied by white asparagus and truffle delivers classic European luxury with contemporary refinement.
For travelers seeking a fully immersive gastronomic experience, Aromi’s tasting menus offer the best way to understand Chef Fargnoli’s creative philosophy.
The four-course “Eastern Depths” tasting menu explores oceanic flavors through Japanese and Chinese influences, highlighting pristine seafood and refined broths. “Land Encounters” takes diners on a culinary passage from Italy to Japan and the Middle East, weaving together dishes such as Mafaldine with baba ganoush, succulent Wagyu, and coconut ganache desserts. Meanwhile, “Lagoon Garden” pays tribute to the Venetian lagoon itself, celebrating seasonal vegetables, island gardens, and local produce with remarkable finesse.
For the ultimate expression of the chef’s vision, however, guests should reserve “The Silk Road” experience — a seven-course tasting menu inspired by Chef Fargnoli’s personal culinary travels between East and West. The menu unfolds like a carefully paced narrative, each course revealing another layer of inspiration and technical mastery. Highlights include the celebrated sea urchin spaghetti with yuzu kosho bisque and richly marbled Wagyu before concluding with an elaborate trilogy of chocolate desserts crafted with sculptural precision.
What makes Aromi particularly compelling is that it succeeds in offering fine dining without losing emotional warmth. In a city famous for historic cafés and traditional trattorias, the restaurant presents a distinctly modern vision of Venetian luxury — one rooted not only in opulence but also in creativity, curiosity, and cultural exchange.
Beyond the restaurant itself, staying at Hilton Molino Stucky Venice allows travelers to experience Venice from a more serene perspective. The former flour mill, transformed into one of the city’s most impressive luxury hotels, combines industrial heritage with contemporary comfort. Its rooftop pool, expansive suites, and privileged lagoon views make it an ideal base for travelers seeking both sophistication and escape.
As Venice continues to evolve as a destination for discerning travelers, Aromi’s reopening signals a broader movement toward experiential luxury — where dining is no longer simply a meal, but an immersive cultural encounter.
For visitors planning a Venetian escape in 2026, securing a reservation at Aromi may well become one of the highlights of the journey itself.
More information and reservations are available via Hilton Molino Stucky Venice.
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