Location: Lugano
Top Restaurants in Lugano
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Top 10 restaurants in Lugano, Switzerland
Perfectly positioned on a lake with the Alps at its back, lucky Lugano has a little bit of everything. Ride a cable car up Monte San Salvatore or Monte Bre for sunny panoramas of lake, rivers, mountains and red-roofed buildings. Explore the town's churches, cathedrals and the expressive and colorful Piazza della Riforma. Sample some slow-cooked Ticinese cuisine, explore the lake on a boat or spend the day at the lido with its Olympic-sized pool.
Things to do in Lugano
1. Bottegone del Vino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 512 reviews
Reviewed By Khaja - SF
We were so looking forward to having some wine and dinner here. We had a wonderful day on the lake and were hungry and hot and dinner here was high on our list. Unfortunately, we left almost angry, frustrated and very disappointed.
Food: Dinner was amazing, the food excellent, the portions large and food comes out beautifully presented. We had the pasta with seafood, outstanding, the bruschetta, good and the fish carpaccio, very good. The wine selection was excellent and we let our waiter make our selections. The food in the reason they get 2 stars.
Ambiance: Outside, surrounded by grape vines, cool on a hot afternoon, with a traditional European charm. However, the tables are really, really close together, we had three folks next to us that were loud, we could barely hear ourselves. The waiter could not reach us without bending over the next table. We were squeezed between grape leaves, yes they were continually rubbing against my head and face, and the loud table. We were quickly loosing patience.
Service: Probably one of the worst services we have had. We arrived early and everything was good to start with. We ordered drinks and pasta for our daughter who was hungry. Everyone was happy. Then chaos ensued:
1) Three folks who seemed to be "preferred" locals arrived and we never saw our waiter all night. It seemed that every person in the restaurant visited them to chat, but not once did they tend to us. After all why care about the tourist!
2) Water or drinks were never refilled.
3) For its claim of vegetarian friendly, we found this completely lacking. They had one pasta with tomato sauce or the cheese plate on the menu.
4) My wife liked the bruschetta, and asked for the speck to be substituted for cheese. Easy right? They came back with plain bread topped with tomato, and the cheese plate. The waiter "rudely" informed us this is what they do. They expected us to pay for both although we did not ask for it.
We left disappointed and angry. We walked over to another place close by for drinks and dessert. I cannot in all fairness recommend this restaurant.
2. Motto del Gallo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 215 reviews
In the Italian part of Switzerland, an ancien fortified village along the road that connected Lugano to the Granducato of Milan in the 1400s, is today a unique restaurant. Imaginative haute cuisine that unlocks all the flavours of the Mediterranean. In the evening, four pretty suites enhance the pleasure of an extremely romantic setting.Nella Svizzera italiana, un antico borgo fortificato sulla strada che nel '400 collegava Lugano al Granducato di Milano e oggi un locale dall'atmosfera unica. Haute cuisine allegra e fantasiosa che sprigiona tutti i profumi del Mediterraneo, senza tralasciare cio che offre il territorio. La sera, quattro deliziose suites dilatano il piacere di una romanticissima sosta
Reviewed By R_H_O188095 - Lugano, Switzerland
Upon arrival we were greeted by a somewhat grumpy host and shown to our table in a fairly smokey dining room. The fireplace was at least 2 rooms away but it seemed we were sitting right in front of it, in poorly ventilated conditions. Unfortunately the smoke wasn't the only thing preventing our enjoyment of the experience. Service was slow and rude, except for a young server who seemed to be more attentive and less jaded. Food was delicious and well-prepared but the service was insulting and we needed to dry clean our clothes in order to removed the heavy smoke smell that remained. We were still coughing the next morning. Do not recommend.
3. Osteria Calprino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
Reviewed By Lex99 - London
I ate here this past weekend and found the food quite good. Most of the fare on the menu is typical local cuisine (with northern Italian influence) which is simple in preparation but tasty and filling. The restaurant's atmosphere is not pretentious by any means and it appears to be run by the owners, an old couple, who are quite attentive. If you are looking for flash, glitz or Michelin star cooking, this is not the place for you. However, if you are looking for a nice, quiet place where you can enjoy excellent cucina Ticinese (Ticino cooking) with some locals this is the place for you. If you do happen to go in late August / early September, ask the owners if they have funghi freschi on the menu. This typically means fresh porcini which are in season around this time of the year. If they do, I highly recommend the "funghi con polenta" (garlic and parsley stir fried porcini with cornmeal on the side), this is a traditional local dish which will not disappoint!
4. Ristorante Galleria Arte al Lago
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Restaurant Gallery Arté is the only 1 Michelin Starred Restaurant in Lugano. A theme restaurant inside an art gallery, it offers a magnificent and unique view over the gulf of Lugano as well as a dainty cuisine. Signature dishes of our Executive Chef Frank Oerthle are entirely new and original. The menu stands out for Sweetwater and sea food specialties.
Reviewed By Vavevic - Boca Raton, Florida
Excellent option for a nice dinner, very sober decor and refined attention. The food is very well prepared and the platters are served with a touch of elegance. Must stop for gourmet food in Lugano
5. Ristorante Grand Cafe Al Porto
Overall Ratings
4 based on 399 reviews
Right in the heart of Lugano, the Grand Café Al Porto Restaurant delight its guests at any time of day. A great day begins at the Grand Café with an aromatic "espresso", a nice breakfast or a delight from the Confiserie Al Porto. At lunchtime be tempted by the "Flavours of the month", the daily changing "Chef's specials", and from 2.30 p.m. onward by a special afternoon menu. All day long a great selection of sweet or savoury creations from the "Confiserie Al Porto" counter. The Ristorante is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. It can be reserved in the evening for receptions and banquets for 10 to 80 persons. All day long a great selection of sweet or savoury creations from the "Confiserie Al Porto" counter. Lugano's salon... since 1803.
Reviewed By nicascc - Brindisi, Italia
Is a good place where you can have a good espresso or coffee with friandise and sweet cake. Good service in al old style location
6. Grotto Morchino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 314 reviews
A few steps away from Lugano a real, traditional, local grotto inside the green forest.Grotto Morchino at Pazzallo.The Grotto Morchino is a typical local restaurant, it has a cozy room inside with an open fire place and outside a cool, covered Terrace. In all these years it has becoming an absolutely must to share the easy barbecue ambience in summer time. Kitchen opening hours: 12.00 - 13.15 19.00 - 21.15 Winter closure from 22 December to 28 February
Reviewed By Erez I
We came for a romantic dinner.
We were sitted on the same table with 3 loud local guys.
There is no English menu.
The waiter translaed some of it.
You can have Donkey, horse, rabbit, pork and veal
Chease plater was nice.
Polenta was good.
7. Trani
Overall Ratings
4 based on 342 reviews
Reviewed By RachelIsrael - Israel
The restaurant is situated in a quiet alley, without any speccial views. The menu is interesting including many choices of tartar dishes, both fish and beef. The Tuna tartar is excellent. I had also home-made gnocchi with green peas sauce, that I did not lie very much.
8. Metamorphosis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By Serge G
New restaurant in the palazzo Mantegazzi. Interior is contemporary: Hi tech lifts, glass, transparent plastic chairs and white walls. Vitello tonnato was tasty and tender but the steak was a little bit overdone (surely not medium). I think it's a good place to have a...MoreDear Serge G, thanks a lot for your beautiful review. We hope to see you soon in our Restaurant!
9. Grotto del Pep
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 542 reviews
Reviewed By bods11 - Lugano
If you want to get the Ticino grotto experience this is the place to go. Going here for the long Sunday lunch is a must.
The pork ribs are worth the trip alone, but when you add in the meat and cheese starters, merlot, polenta and chips you get and amazing meal.
The staff is friendly as well and helps round out the whole experience.
10. Ristorante le Bucce di Gandria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 226 reviews
Small and intimate restaurant in the beautiful village of Gandria, with lake view. The cuisine is mainly based on seasonal and regional ingredients (km zero) and it draws on different traditions revising them with a pinch of creativity.All the preparations are homemade, including pasta and bread.Free WiFi
Reviewed By alix550 - Lugano, Switzerland
We did't find an antipasto, so they offer us a "puntarelle" salad. Wonderful.
The fish, was good but mine had a cooking problem.
They solve my problem to our satisfaction.
Dessert , the chocolate cake was great, with passion fruit.
Honest prices, very good wine.
Not indicated if you are complicated as the choice is not much.
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