The 30 best foods to try in Lugano

La Fermata – Where Flavor Meets Funk in Lugano 🍔🌮 Nestled in the heart of Lugano, La Fermata is a vibrant eatery that effortlessly blends bold flavors with a laid-back ambiance. Whether you're a local or a traveler, this spot promises a culinary experience that's both satisfying and memorable.​ 🍴 Culinary Delights La Fermata's menu is a testament to comfort food done right. Their burgers, like the signature "Fermata" and the vegetarian-friendly "The Green One," are crafted with care, boasting juicy patties and fresh toppings . Tacos and nachos are also crowd-pleasers, offering generous portions that don't skimp on flavor.​ 🍹 Sip and Savor Beyond the food, La Fermata shines with its drink offerings. From craft beers to inventive cocktails, there's something to quench every thirst. The atmosphere is lively, often accompanied by upbeat music that adds to the overall vibe .​ 🎶 Ambiance and Service The interior boasts a modern, eclectic design with cozy seating arrangements. While the energy is infectious, some patrons have noted that the music can be a tad loud during peak hours, making conversations a bit challenging. However, the friendly and attentive staff more than make up for it, ensuring guests feel welcome and well-cared for.​ 💰 Value for Money With prices ranging from CHF 25 to CHF 45 per person, La Fermata offers a dining experience that's both high in quality and reasonable in cost. The generous portions and flavorful dishes provide excellent value, making it a go-to spot for many.​ 📍 Location and Accessibility Conveniently situated near the lake, La Fermata is easily accessible and perfect for both casual lunches and evening gatherings. Its central location makes it an ideal pitstop during a day of exploring Lugano.​ Final Thoughts La Fermata stands out as a must-visit in Lugano for those seeking hearty meals in a vibrant setting. Whether you're indulging in their delectable burgers or sipping on a refreshing cocktail, this restaurant delivers on all fronts.

Service was fast, the vibe was upbeat, and everything felt clean and thoughtfully put together. It’s rare to find a place that nails both food and hospitality this well. Highly recommend this spot for taco lovers, foodies, or anyone just looking for a great meal with exceptional service. I’ll definitely be coming back!

A wonderful place. The food is great, the staff is very attentive and helpful. We didn't have to wait long for our orders to arrive. The music is just a tad too loud. But other than that a clear recommendation.

Loved La Fermata! The vibes were super welcoming, cocktails were spot-on, and the food was amazing. We went for tapas and a burger big portions, full of flavour, and just so satisfying. Can’t wait to come back!

This place gave me severe food poisoning and did nothing about it. They served the wrong cocktail and then we were given horrible looks by the waitress when we asked for it to be changed. No customer service, disgraceful and extremely overpriced. The burger cost me €27 alone.

Really well done and flavorful birria tacos! The staff was helpful and friendly, laid back space, and there’s a great number of gluten free options. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!

I generally avoid writing negative reviews, but it appears that this restaurant has not addressed its ongoing food safety concerns. I visited last weekend with friends, and we ordered burgers and tacos. Unfortunately, the tacos caused food poisoning for several of us the following day. Afterward, I checked other reviews and noticed that many guests had reported similar experiences after eating the tacos. I would therefore advise caution when ordering. Aside from this issue, the rest of our experience was satisfactory.

Excellent service and food! All the dishes dishes were excellent. Can highly recommend the mushroom pasta, seafood pasta and risotto. The wine recommendations paired great with the meal as well. Come early to get a nice table outside!

Food was good but not outstanding as expected. You can expect many portions for its price though. Seafood menu seems to be good in this place!

Amazing authentic Italian food. Service was great and portions were large. Returned for lunch and food was just as good!

Food is good. The attendants are caring. I like the seafood tomato sauce penne. But I do think the veal steak was overcooked and overcharged (around CHF 40 I remember). Good to be at this restaurant but I don’t think I’ll come again.

Loved everything about this place. The food, the atmosfere, servise. Everything was quick and proffesional. Very authentic. Vine was amazing, we tried Prosseco Doc and Riesling, both were perfect, not too sweet, not too dry. Food was great, my spagheti was something out of this word. Steak was absolutely stunning, and the sea food was spot on. I would recommend this place to my friends and family with no doubt.

The moment you step out of the the tram, Lugano is breathtakingly beautiful! Amazing mountain and lake views, clean air, and pretty streets, we came to Galleria and had their Seafood Risotto and Crudo e Mascaporne Pizza, and it does not disappoint. The seafood risotto is laced with clams, mussels, and octopus, on a generous bed of carnaroli, each bite is bursting with seafood umami, and crunchy on the outside but soft inner carbs to die for. Pizza is italian style crispy, and full of Parma ham, and creamy cheese, a big round serving that can be enjoyed by 2! Before you head south to Chiasso, Como, Milan, this is the sneak preview of many wonderful italian cuisines coming your way!

The best appetizer charcuterie and cheese I have had in a long time. Incredible diversity. Exceptional service. I asked for coaching and help and the staff did not disappoint. Truly an outstanding meal.

Wonderful evening and delicious food. Beautiful views of Lake Lugano as the sun sets and the hills of Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore come alive with lights. The service was polite and attentive. Extensive wine list, but I had a cold beer to cool off on a very hot evening.

Amazing restaurant to grab a bite right on the lake. They were super accommodating and understanding of my allergies. I got the gluten free spaghetti and I am still thinking about it! Staff are super friendly and smart. The food was so fresh and extremely tasty.

Fantastic location next to the lake. The food and service were equally great. I suggest making a reservation in advance if you want to sit outside. Great combination of fish and meat dishes and very nice desserts!

Fantastic food in a very nice location at the lake of Lugano. Very friendly & efficient staff. Try the Lobster 🦞 sandwich!!! We will come back ❤️

Got the gluten free pasta with veal ragu. They also brought me some gluten free bread. I’m still dreaming about this pasta 2 weeks later, it was so good! The servers were friendly and it seemed like a local joint with character and heart. Definitely recommend!

An amazing spot right by the lake with beautiful views and sunshine. The food was delicious – the chicken Caesar and the tomato-based gnocchi were both excellent.

I got a steak with asparagus, was definitely juicy and delicious. As desert cream brûlée, was light, different approach. Also was nice. Overall i suggest the place.

We had such a nice time at Morchino! The dining area was so intimate and cozy with the rain a nice summer eve. We had lovely food and there was no issue for me who requires a gluten free diet. I can really recommend having the platter of cold cuts and cheese even if you plan to have the great bbq!

- Authentic Local Experience: - Frequented mostly by locals, giving it an authentic and genuine atmosphere. - We were pleasantly surprised to be among the few non-locals, making it a hidden gem. - Charming Ambiance: - The restaurant exudes charm and coziness, perfect for a memorable dining experience. - Exceptional Food: - Tripe Soup Triumph: - The tripe soup we ordered was an absolute triumph of flavors. - Bursting with local flavors, it's a must-try for adventurous eaters. - Pork Sausage: - The pork sausage was savory and satisfying, a true delight for meat lovers. - Dog-Friendly: - A welcoming feature for pet owners - this restaurant is dog-friendly, making it a great spot for dog lovers. - Outdoor Seating: - Enjoy your meal in the refreshing outdoors with their outdoor seating options. - Must-Visit in Lugano: - Grotto Morchino is a must-visit for anyone in Lugano looking for an authentic local dining experience. This hidden gem offers not only delicious food but also a unique glimpse into Lugano's local culture, all while accommodating pets and providing a charming outdoor setting.

I had a cozy, authentic meal at Grotto Morchino. The setting felt rustic and genuine, and the local dishes were full of flavor. It was one of those places where time slows down definitely worth the detour.

One of the best experiences in a grotto, we loved it! We reserved a table the same day for lunch on 2nd August 2025, but walk in wasn’t a problem. We had a delicious 3 course lunch and the staff was great.

Ok i was not expecting in Switzerland to eat nice food , first of all they dont know what flavour means! Its suprising because such a rich country and did not get to their wealth good flavours of food, very strange! Anyway feel bad for them! Overpriced on absolutely everything for absolutely no reason! (looks always better than it actually tastes) Beautiful nature but thats all!

Amazing ambiance! We had a lovely dinner outside on the patio. The spare ribs were amazing, along with the ossobuco. A hidden gem in Lugano

Not a gamily owned grotto but food is well made and delicious. Wine is quite expensive. Bottle of local Merlot will cost you from 70 to 90 here. Boccalino in the northern part of Ticino will serve you better job. But, I should mention once again, food is perfect, I will definitely visit again just for it.

Good but not exceptional. The quality of the ingredients on the pizza is great. I chose the “integrale” dough: tastes good but was (a) under poke and (b) not airy. I waited 15min for the check… an eternity. Lastly, the location is nice but difficult to find. All in all: I founded it expensive for the experience.

The pizza was so yummy and the best we had during our trip to Italy & Switzerland. The staff were very nice and accommodating as we showed up without a reservation and they were able to seat us quickly. Loved the vibe

I tried the diavola pizza with the 7 cereali dough and it was fabulous! Reminded me of eating in Napoli. I had an early dinner as the place gets really crowded and you would need to reserve a table. The staff are friendly and the service is fast considering how busy it was.

I appreciate their 2 vegan Pizzas but I didn't love one option with the zuccini. I thought that the almostbraw zuccini doesnt really pair well with the other parts of the otherwise delicious pizza. Pretty crowded with stressed staff but thats alright. Amazing dough!!

Saturday lunch there was a wait, but since the weather was great anyways I got a pizza for take-out! Staff were friendly and in a good mood and my pizza was ready in no time! Alla prossima :)

The best pizza I've ever had!!! I'm from the US and while we have some decent pizza, the taste and crust here were amazing. No comparison!... Stephano and the rest of the crew were so welcoming which added to our great experiences. Probably coming back to Lugano (which I've nicknamed Swit-aly) in part, so we can come back for the pizza and experience. PS... Get there at least 15 minutes before they open.

This pizzeria was a pretty big disappointment. Not only did they have basically no pasta and the one we ordered those was highly recommended that appeared to be with me was really mac & cheese. Then they would not even take the mac & cheese off our bill when we didn’t eat any of it. Afterwards, the pizza we got was fairly good, but very small. Lastly, but definitely not lease. The worst part was the absolute lack of customer service. They were busy and were very bad at keeping track of the tables and servicing their customers they had. I would highly recommend a ton more restaurants in town versus this one.

Nice and authentic Italian sandwiches, its a little luck with the amount of toppings (cheese meat or veggies) you get as one sandwich side has very less cheese and other one was all good

Great place. Outdoor seating is great. Service was nice and I didn't feel I got "tourist treatment " like in other places in Lugano. Risotto was great although meat was a little on chewy side. I still enjoyed it a lot and it was worth the price. Best prosecco I had in town for the price offered. Little bit off from main area what was positive. The building has very nice rooftop -worth visiting

Best sandwiches I had in life. This place is amazing, everything is freshly made and the prices are great considering this is Switzerland! I had the salami sandwich with straciatella, it was like heaven in earth!

My Google review always weights heavily on the first experience of "Service". As soon as we approach the front door, we did not see the prosciutto sandwich we love. However; a tall male in his late 40s or early 50s warmly approached us to offer assistance. After he realized what our needs were, he quickly went back into the store and prepared amazing packages of foods we love in a short time. We still remember how delicious the pre-cooked dishes (purchase by weight), and we definitely appreciate his service and highly recommend the visitors from our convention teams to shop at this lovely store.

Traditional Luganese Deli using top quality ingredients. I had a rucola, ham and truffle panino for takeaway that was delicious. Planning to come back.

Absolutely delicious pizza!!!!!! Priced by weight. Never disappoints. Spent 2 weeks in Lugano and got this way too often. There’s always a line which tells you enough. Service is always incredible too!

I highly recommend this place as it gives authentic italian sandwhiches which are absolutely to go for!! Absolutely flavourful and fresh sandwhiches !!!

It is a good place to visit and eat. I tried this pizza first time in my life, and it was good! Feels fresh and tasty. I have one wish for service: If you service a pizza, please, provide a knifes thst cut well, because it was quite hard to cut pizza with a regular butter-ish knife. Service was friendly, good place for food, abs maybe come back

Very nice terrace with a nice atmosphere. Although I guess that’s it. Food is not very good. I got the spaghetti carbonara and my girlfriend got the margarita pizza, they were both even bad. I would not eat there again, the food quality seems very sub par. Staff is friendly but somewhat slow.

We loved it so much that in 3 days visited it twice! Pizzas were amazing! And hands down the PISTACHIO CAKE was one of the best I ever tried. Compliments to Chef Francesco Casanova! The service was also absolutely fantastic! Thank you to Ditmir! And the location, of course, is very central, located right by Piazza Riforma. Highly recommend!

📝 Amazing new place in Lugano where to enjoy a bite or drink directly at the lake. The staff treated us very well, better than other places. 🍴 I tried the classic steak tartare: very tasty, even the bread was perfectly crunchy. In the menu they offer a few cold dishes and pinsa, which is a slight variation of pizza. Next time I'll try that one! 📍 Its location is just beautiful: at the entrance of Parco Ciani with unbeatable lake views with tall trees giving some nice shade.

Amazing food with great atmosphere and the waiters are always smiling and giving positive energy. The view wasn’t bad and we saw the main square. I recommend you to try it if you’re hungry and near by. Must-go in Lugano

Two dinners in a row - good pasta with chicken and mushrooms and a very, very tasty fruitti di mare pizza. I definitely recommend the white wine Lugana. Fast service and normal prices. 👌

They have gluten free pizza. It was fine- nothing too special but they do have lots of different options for toppings. The main perk of this restaurant is sitting in the piazza and people watching, it’s a fun atmosphere.

What an amazing spot! Not only was the spaghetti absolutely delicious—perfectly cooked with rich, flavorful sauce—but the view of the lake made the whole experience feel extra special. I also tried the pizza and it was just as impressive: crispy crust, fresh toppings, and full of flavor. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. Whether you’re here for the food or the beautiful view (or both!), this place is definitely worth a visit. Highly recommend!

This spot has really high ratings but for me, the food is not bad but not memorable. The salad dressing is a bit on the sour acidic side for me and the sauce is a bit flat and tinny. I ordered their spaghetti because this is their namesake and the dish was edible but not exceptional. This is very popular though and it filled up quickly. I arrived at 530pm and got seated immediately but an hour later, the place was full and people had to walk away.

Four of us ate dinner here in this busy little restaurant that our hotel recommended. We sat inside which was very cosy and a little cramped. We ordered pasta and a pizza and the food was good but lacked a little punch. Having lived in Florence for over a year, I rate this Italian restaurant a solid 4 star in comparison.

We came here for lunch when visiting lugano and the pasta was amazing! The portions were perfect (not too small!!) and they gave us bread with the meal. It was fairly pricey but this is to be expected when in Switzerland. The staff were very friendly and even gave us bibs when they saw we were making a mess over our t shirts!

We had a great night celebrating my Mother-In-Laws Birthday tonight with a great food. Top! We had Spaghetti alla Pescatora, Spaghetti Caruso and Tagliolini Freschi. We went there as a Walk-in. I would suggest to book a reservation first before coming, to avoid the hassle of waiting in line. Because it becomes really crowded at times and that only means great food. For us it was all worth the wait. We enjoyed the night and was well satisfied with our food. Big servings and i would say their seafood pastas are definitely a must try. Finger lickin' good seafoods! I would also like to commend the Host for the Night, he really knows how to handle people who are waiting in Line. Though, seems our server is a little rattled with all his tables. Maybe that's the reason why he dropped the little bag of 4pcs bread on our table and our plates and also did not check-back on us. Still, Would definitely comeback here on our next vacation for the food. Thank you Spaghetti Store for making this night special for us, especially to my Mother-In-Law. A must try and Highly recommended!

The food was good! Nothing to complain about. Portions were very good too and the view was very nice outdoors. But the seafood pasta was the star of the night. Would come back again!

Always crows and you need to wait for table. However, employees are good and help you about choosing your meals. Meals are really delicious

Italian restaurant with great wine offerings. Menu on blackboard changes regularly. We had the beef filet and desert with drinks and coffee. Had to fight to get the opportunity to pay.

Absolutely fabulous! Wonderful food and generous portions! The wait staff is a well-oiled machine, "dancing" together all evening with playful banter and seemed to be truly enjoying serving their guests! Inside is small and cozy. The outside patio is lovely if weather permits. We started with wonderful cheeses and salmon appetizer, then had amazing pasta to follow with generous bowls of fresh grated Parmesan, and finished with a wonderful chocolate dessert! Magnifico!

We had dinner here and the food was delicious and special mention to the service. The waiters di everything to accommodate us and even found a fish dish when it wasn’t on the menu. We will definitely be back and do recommend !

Great old stile Italian restaurant in the center of lugano. We had lunch and ordered wonderful beef tartare and beef stake. Great old fashioned professional service. Accurate food. Definitely on my list of coming back.

Beautiful seating area. I really enjoyed my risotto. Others in the group were not so happy with their meat dish. The fish was light and fresh and tasty. I thought the atmosphere was charming and lovely and the staff was very forthcoming.

Had a very nice lobster ravioli. The service was great.

Very friendly and knowledgeable service. The wine recommended was excellent and so was the food. Great central location. My heart and stomach are very pleased!

Excellent. Good prices but even beter food and just the best view on the Italian border of Lago Lugano.

The food was very tasty. The location is amazing just next to the lake. The service is very good. You can see that the servanta like their job!

Charming place situated on the shore of the Lago di Lugano. A bit pricy but the atmosphere makes it worth. Food was good quality but not outstanding, however srved quickly and the staff was also on point. We had grilled fishes and tiramisu - both very good. Would not recommend Caprese - should cost at least half less (now €15). Big parking on the side.

Amazing restaurant! What an incredibly smooth and relaxed atmosphere directly by lake lugano. Accessible by boat or car. Delicious food, superb service. I love it! One of my favorite restaurants in this region.

Amazing food and excellent service. We were happy to find this hidden gem restaurant. I strongly advice to visit if you are in the area.

What a wonderful location straight at the front of the lake! Don’t miss this beautiful place. Frequented by a lot of locals and insider. Top food and the crew really is amazing. This place is likely to become your new favorite restaurant. If you plan to travel with your boat you can dock at the restaurant. Car park is big and secure.

Fabulous restaurant. Amazing food, views, staff. Could not have been happier! The restaurant was recommended by our hotel and we managed to get a table outside which is right by the lake. You will not regret coming here! Parking available too.

A perfectly decent dinner option, some portions are very large (a pizza could easily be shared by two or three). Maybe slightly lower quality compared to a Whole Foods (US) hot bar. Less expensive than almost anything in the immediate area. Many food options when fully operating but they will expand or reduce operations depending on the time and day.

This cafeteria style of restaurant offers an overwhelming selection. Initially I was overcome by the vast options but then I saw one of the cooks serving a dish of meatballs. Decession made. Their soup selection called me. The layout and presentation of the available dishes are striking. This place is worth a visit at least once just for the experience. I would visit here again. On a negative note the mens bathroom needs attention. Look at the pictures. Not a good look. The management of this establishment should take immediate action to correct the deficiencies.

The food was okay and the place was clean and well kept. Service was decent, and it’s a convenient spot for a quick meal while shopping at the mall.

For the some of the lowest prices in the city, we were pleasantly surprised that the experience was fun, the options were plentiful, and the pasta was tasty!

I would not have thought a department store had such great food. So many choices for breakfast and lunch and all of it fresh and delicious. A ton of staff so the service is great. You can eat inside or out atmosphere is perfect

Area is clean, service was good, food was decent but not for the price. Pizza and pasta not worth it. Sausage, pork and soup were decent.

It is located in the center of Lugano . Pizza Margarita is my favorite. You have more choice if you like to serve the price is fair. For kids have inside and outside play ground . Enjoy .....

Osteria Del Carde, located on the picturesque Via Lungolago XXV Aprile, 14 in Lavena Ponte Tresa, offers a unique dining experience on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Situated directly on the shores of Lake Lugano, this Ristorante-Pizzeria boasts a truly enchanting setting just a stone’s throw away from the Swiss border and a mere 20-minute drive from Varese. The ambiance and decor of the restaurant are simply exquisite. The interior design exudes a sense of warmth and familiarity, while still maintaining an air of sophistication. Every detail is meticulously crafted, creating an atmosphere that feels both simple and high-class at the same time. While the staff at Osteria Del Carde are polite, there is room for improvement in terms of warmth and friendliness. The service, while not exceptionally fast, also does not drag on, striking a balance that could be improved upon. When it comes to the food, there are hits and misses. The oysters are fresh and delightful, accompanied by subtle hints of pomegranate and lime. However, some dishes, like the Trancio di Pescato del giorno, lack that special something that elevates a meal from good to exceptional. On the other hand, offerings like the Tagliata di Tonno al Sesamo surprise with interesting and refreshing flavor combinations, while the Tagliata di tonno rosso is delicately nuanced. In terms of value for money, Osteria Del Carde offers a range of options to suit different budgets. While some dishes may lean towards the higher end of the price spectrum, there are also more moderately priced options available. The restaurant’s location is easily accessible by public transportation, with convenient public parking nearby. The proximity to the Tresa River provides a charming backdrop for a leisurely stroll before or after your meal. Overall, dining at Osteria Del Carde is an experience that combines stunning surroundings with a mix of delicious dishes. While there is room for improvement in terms of service and consistency across the menu, the restaurant offers a delightful culinary journey that is worthy of exploration. In closing, I would like to thank Osteria Del Carde for the opportunity to dine at their establishment and experience their unique blend of flavors and ambiance.

At first the staff was quite friendly but after a short time they became really unfriendly. We ordered our food before the people beside us had even arrived and they still became their fold way before us (it seemed like the staff knew them). At the point we finally got our food, we found out that the meal that my mom ordered consisted of 7! single asparagus (look picturw below) and nothing else. And that costed 10€. Additionally the asprugus seemed like they weren't even peeled at all so she couldn't cut them and they were way too chewy and tough too eat. When the staff came and asked if everything was alright my mom said that her meal wasn't enjoyable at all. It seemed like they didn't care. So for the conclusion, the only nice thing at this restaurant was the view.

The food is very good, specially all fish dishes. All pastas with fish, the different cooked fish and also the raw platter is a must. We come to this place often during the summer. The view is also very very beautiful. It is one of those “secret ” sides of the lake, not very famous but amazing. I recomend eating outside where the tables are beautiful and booking with more than a week in advance because it gets difficult to book. I also see many families celebrating in big parties, so book ahead of time!

Friendly staff. Good food. Charming ambiance right on the lake.

This decent restaurant, which I found by chance, offered us very high quality food and service. The seafood pasta I shared with the photo was very delicious and I ate the water of dish with bread 😅. The dessert I ordered to try later was dancing with cream and cheese. The view of the restaurant does not need words anyway. You can eat here in peace and probably enjoy a lot. Parking may be a problem because there is not much space unfortunately.

This is a great place to enjoy dinner outside with a stunning view! Food was good especially the starters, the dorade gratinee and the dessert. The Vongole was a bit sandy and the rice with the perch fillets too dry to eat. But still would come back again to enjoy the view again!

Good food, manly in fish dishes. Good service and a relaxed atmosphere next to the Lavena strait of lake Lugano. Fair prices too.

Fantastic experience at Il Crotto del Lago! Gorgeous food, local dishes beautifully presented, and very reasonable, too! The house wine was a delight, as well, as was the view!

This place is fantastic! Went for a first time and then had to go back again a few days later. The Pizzoccheri are incredible, some of the best I’ve ever tasted and don’t even get me started on the buckwheat cake, my new favorite dessert. I was so sad they didn’t have it the second time we went. The first time we sat outside as it was a lovely day, the service was fantastic and many waiters speak both Italian and English, it was perfect for our mixed dinner party. The lake view is very nice and inside the restaurant is also very cute! The second time they even gave us a free pasta sample and some amazing limoncello (pictured below) after our meal. This has quickly become my new favorite restaurant!

The food was really fantastic, the staff were very friendly, and we had a wonderful evening with a beautiful view! Thinking about coming back tomorrow!

Absolutely delicious food, great service and cozy atmosphere. I had the braised beef cheeks with polenta, with some grilled vegetables on the side, and it was delicious. I was surprised by the polenta however, it was mixed with something else than just corn polenta, but it was great! The tiramisu was amazing and possibly the best I've ever had. We will be visiting again before going home for sure.

Food was really good. I just wish the server had a nicer attitude and did not mock me. It took them about 20 minutes to come over so we could order our drinks. When I complained about the waiting time the server replied “that I’m on holiday and I can wait” Once we got our food they never came again to ask if we liked our food or if we wanted to order anything else. Would not visit again.

We was here for a lunch. From beginning we wasn’t satisfied with the Service. Ladies looks tired, unhappy and unmotivated. It was 12 o’clock. Nobody speak English in a such expensive Restaurant in tourist place. Ladies asked us about reservation. Then they gave us a table under the sun (outside 30 degrees). Then I have to press them to take a place in the shadow. In 10 minutes arrives another customer and immediately get a place at the first line. So, I’m sure that they didn’t have a full reservation. It’s a kind of “face-controll”. Maybe because we’re just 26 y.o., not a 60. 🤣 We have been waiting to make an order for a long time. There were at least 5 writers and maybe 4 tables busy. Our visit finished after we saw that customer which came 5-10 min after us made an order before us while we was waiting to make an order before they even came to the Restaurant. Awful service. The owner (or a manager) was kind and sorry about situation. I would like to pay for a drinks which we already get (however, didn’t drinked yet). The owner said “Sorry” and that we don’t have to pay for it. So, 5 Star for this Man and -4 Stars for employees.

Superb location, on the lakefront, nice food and fast service. Make a reservation in front especially in the weekends. The staff lost there smile and showed all by there faces they had enough off the crowd, otherwise it would be a 5 star. Its just the beginning off the high season so i wish the staff good luck and not to much costumers??? This was the first time, the next time the waiter who saya is the owner treated us as dogs and we changed it to one star... We will never retiurn here and wish him a lot off money.

After 3 years we were back in Grotto della Salute. We were tourists and there were full of local regulars, but they treated us as well as others. Very friendly and attentive service and it is very nice to see the staff is working together so well. The food was excellent, cannot criticise anything. We each took glass of red wine and it was also tasty and went very well together with main (I had calf lever and my wife had beef cheek brasato). The restaurant stays on the top of our list in Lugano.

Went to Grotto della Salute with my husband and had such a lovely dinner. The gardens are stunning – a perfect setting for a summer evening. Service was good (though best to brush up on your Italian!), and the food and wine were excellent. We enjoyed a regional white and the house red – both delicious – along with a vitello tonnato that was absolutely spot on. A truly lovely place for a fresh, relaxed summer dinner.

It’s ridiculous that we found this place cause our train to Milan got canceled and we had to stick around a night in Lugano. It looked cozy on the pictures, and only upon arrival did we notice it’s mention in the Bib Gourmand. And it was fantastic! From the ambience, to the suggested wine pairing, to the entire dinner and desert. I love this place.

Amazing food and environment! The servers where also great! Will go again for sure!

Nice place to spend quality time. Relatively expensive, especially wines, but nothing dramatic if you are used to the ZU Goldküste prices. Visited this place by foot. Parking was a true challenge for some guests.

Very tasty refined cuisine with a wide variety of options (pasta, fish, meat). They have a beautiful calm terrasse and a charming indoor space.

We had a great experience with friends. The food is great, the wine as well. And the service is perfect as well. Well done team 😊

We had a wonderful dinner at Sass Cafe. We sat at an outside table overlooking a pretty piazza. The service was excellent; I had an incredible risotto with perch dish and my friends were very happy with their appetizers and entrees. Highly recommend!

Pleasant restaurant for lunch in Lugano with efficient service, tasty pastas, and great outdoor seating overlooking the plaza.

Extremely unfriendly staff unfortunately. Great location and decent food, but don’t expect to be noticed when walking in or be looked at while saying thank you… I’d understand it if it would’ve been busy that the waiters are not able to take their time for you, but it really wasn’t busy at all. Looking at your customer while they thank you for their service or asking how their food was is the least thing the waiter could do… also the food came before our wine or water

We had a late lunch and it was spectacular. I had the lasagna and my son had the beef and potatoes. Fresh bread and great service. They have outdoor and indoor with air conditioning

Nice restaurant with quiet tables for a business lunch. Service was fast and supportive. Food was also good and fresh.

The place is nicely decorated with a lot of statues and pictures on the wall. You have a good selection of wines to try. The food was tasty.

I have visited Sass Cafe many times in this month and I can truly say it's a great place to visit and have a really tasty nosh-up or as well an aperitif followed with a snack. The entire staff is really attentive and provide the best service and commodity making you feel welcome, as well they provide options in any case you might have trouble deciding. In personal the dishes I've tried have been wonderful, the chef Mr. Andrew and his team really pour their soul into what they prepare. I really recommend it.

Fab view on a gorgeous day in Lugano. Warm service and excellent food , pairings. We shared spring risotto, grilled octopus and a sushi platter. Our original pour of Franciacorta was a little flat but the staff replaced the glasses after a brief pause. Wine prices are quite high by the bottle so best to come along with friends. Book ahead and request outdoor dining upstairs. We’ll be back this summer!

Generally very good food and service, in a nice setting with beautiful views of the lake. The octopus and cod foam appetizers were very good, the rib eye was excellent, and the tiramisu was delicious. They also served us gluten free bread that was pretty good.

Overall nice restaurant. We felt like the menu did not have any specific genre. We took the tasting menu, the dishes were rather small. Some of them were really good (beef tartare!) and some of them were only good looking but not amazing (sushi). For dessert they served us two of the same dish, lemon pie that was ok but we thought it could be better to share two different deserts instead. Overall it was a good experience. A meal for two with 5 courses and a bottle of wine costs us a little over 250 Francs (not sure how it is relatively to other good restaurants in the area). Make sure to book a table by the window and not inside.

Food was really delicious, service very professional and view is of course great. We stopped here by chance using Michelin guide on a way to Zurich, but would like to go back. They had tasting menu, looking very interesting, unfortunately we could not take it due to lack of time. So I just took starter (octopus) and main course (pasta with lobster) ala cart .. my company took octopus too and then some seafood plate.. all was really tasty and nice presentation ❤️

Had another visit to soak up the sun here. I was surprised they don’t offer sushi on Mondays and Tuesdays. So I had to settle w Italian food. I have to say, the Italian dishes are not that great. What’s up w all that potato sauce in a lobster pasta? It was excellent in every way, the view from the terrace w the sun, the service attentive, the food super, the interior elegant and modern. Totally recommend this place!

The quality of the food is medium. The worst thing we had to wait each dish half an hour and we were in rush to drive 6 hours. Tuna fish wasn’t prepared right and hadn’t have a taste. The waiters were super friendly.

Rented the restaurant for business event, gorgeous location, great food and exceptionally helpful staff. We had an event here for 80 people and rented the entire place for an evening. The staff was extremely accommodating to all our wishes and the place is absolutely stunning. Great view over the lake, great ambiance with the bar in the middle and all the great interior design. The food was really good for finger food and went beyond the standard deep fried platters we all got used to in recent years. Big thank you to the whole seven team to make this an unforgettable evening.

Very yummy pizza. I definitely recommend this place for a nice Naples style pizza. The pizza is absolutely delicious. The service was good as well. One member of our dinner party asked for the cheese to be removed from her pizza and they were very accommodating, they even charged 2chf less for that pizza, we were very impressed. The table was on a bit of a hill outside which was only slightly annoying. Overall it’s a great place with high quality pizza. I would definitely go back

Delicious, authentic pizza, many selection of ingredients, and a pleasant atmosphere. I recommend booking a table, as it's hard to find a free one. Reasonable prices.

I am sorry to say that we have never had a good meal for the past 2 weeks in Switzerland. Lugano is our 3rd last stop before we say goodbye to Switzerland. We are glad that we found Verace. We love the pizzas, services, vibe, and energy of this place. The napoletana pizza is really so good👍👍👍👍 I never had such a delicious pizza in my entire life. I wish I could bring the pizza 🍕 back to my country. ☆ another important plus point: the restaurant open till 1030pm, which is really awesome

Quite possibly the best pizza in Lugano thanks to the base and cheese in particular. I had the fungi but was tempted by the fried pizzas and calzone too. The venue is more café than restaurant but that's fine (and reflected in the prices compared to the rest of Lugano). More importantly, the staff were friendly, service quick and the pizza appears within a few minutes.

Popular local spot, good pizza! Easy spot to get a quick bite before a visit to Monte San Salvatore. Reasonable prices as well. Service was quick and responsive.

We had dinner pizza and pasta. The pizza crust is so thin and become soggy. You can hold it with your hand and has to be eaten with fork and knife. Pasta and service are good.

We had a late lunch during our visit in Lugano. Food was delicious (although not the english version of fish&chips I got used to). My friend had the carbonara Service was quick

Amazing Michelin Star restaurant. We tried the tasting menu and every dish was outstanding. The wine pairing complimented the dishes in every way and the service was excellent. Definitely a must for everyone that likes an outstanding experience.

Throughout my time in Europe, I’ve tried 20+ tasting menu & Michelin restaurants. I tend to like the ones that balance being innovative and edgy with serving good food that’s filling - this restaurant did a great job of that. Not only that but the service was great, the wine was wonderful, and the views were amazing! (We visited several months ago)

The food and service were both first class, with incredible attention to detail and an attentiveness that was aspirational. My wife and I truly had a remarkable meal, made that much more memorable thanks to the Meta team’s kindness, generosity and hospitality. Would absolutely recommend,

I was here tonight with my girlfriend. I really got to say this is the best restaurant in Lugano, hands down. There is no comparison in service wise and food quality wise. Starting from the fingerfood and going through the first, second and desert there was really nothing to complain about, on the contrary my tasting buds were simply craving for more and more!! Everything was tasteful and very well prepared. The attention to details is simply marvelous. I can advise to any food lover to visit this place at least once in a life time. Simply magnificent!!! Also big thanks for the carrying staff and the wonderful chef! Will be back soon!!!

Me and my husband chose this restaurant to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary. We came all the way from USA and I can tell you this place didn't disappoint us. Very nice location, close to the lake and easy to find. We started our 5 course chef's tasting menu from appetizers by chef. It was mix of cheeses in different variations - deep fried, cream cheese, cheese truffle and refreshing gazpacho soup. 1.Our first tasting dish were amberjack ceviche with fresh mint, peach and lemon sauce. It was absolutely delightful. 2.Then we had poached egg in creamy pea puree and shaved with Belèer Knolle cheese. It was also one of my favorite dishes because it was so creamy and egg was a great addition to this dish. Also there were Bona crumbles - sweet to balance the pea puree. 3. Next - Paccheridi Gragnano halves with oriental veal ragout. unfortunately this pasta wasn't my favorite. It was too al dente and I am not used to such a thick uncooked pasta. We ask waiter and he confirmed that's the way it should be. Also too much peanuts overwhelmed the sauce and it felt you are eating sneakers. But I absolutely loved veal ragout sauce, it was rich with flavors and very nicely done. 4.Then our next dish was Red Mediterranean tuna with charcoal, teriyaki mayonnaise, cucumber and puffed rice with seaweed. It was the best cooked tuna that I ever tried. It was so tender and melting on my tongue. 5. Next was perfectly cooked Duck with cherries. I absolutely loved duck, it was cooked to perfection!!! 6. Pre-dessert - strawberry basil puree to refresh tasting buds and prepare for the dessert. 7. Vanilla cheesecake with apricot and carrot sorbet with prune compote. 8. And complementary truffle selection from Chef to congratulate us with our anniversary. Absolutely best anniversary meal. I also loved that service here was very open and nice. It was my first Michelin star experience and I didn't felt any snobbism, like in other restaurants in Milan for example. Nice presentation, and all dishes were properly described in English for us which is additional plus since my husband doesn't speak Italian. Absolutely worth the trip!

Meta deserves two Michelin stars. Vegetables from the Garden was my favorite course. The creativity of the vegetarian menu and the perfect blend of service and atmosphere made this one of our favorite meals of the decade.

Very elegant and beautiful restaurant. The Italien risotto was very delicious. The wine recommendation of the waitress was a perfect choice. She was very knowledgeable and a very high class waitress. Thank you very much for the service!

Went here with friends, in the evening, orders of just drinks took a long time to arrive and eating outside was cold since it was in a corridor next to the lake, with some wind and cars flashing you. Some random guy also came here trying to sell us roses. Finally, the order came, I got a hot chocolate (4chf) and it came as a glass of milk with a supermarket powder cocoa I hat to open and mix in myself, which I never saw happen in Italy or other places in Lugano. Your experience might be better ordering something else and staying inside or outside in the summer, but I cannot give a higher score because of this.

Great selection of craft beers with awesome views across the lake . Cozy interior but we chose the seats on the covered patio with better views. Tried a couple of different beers and both were pretty good. Service could be a little friendlier and the tables wiped down between customers.

Been there with a group of 20 football lads and all of us were amazed by the warm reception and the atmosphere. Service swift and more than friendly by the lovely staff and the welcoming and talkative owner(?)/ manager. Super local brews and we were even allowed to choose our own sound which made our stay still more pleasant. Would definitely come back and recommend

Chill place with decent music and average service but sub par, over priced food. Dry tasteless beef burger, chicken burger was just bland goujons, luke warm oversalted fries for 6 quid a pop (& a small handful at that), and a kids burger that was the same size as regular ones but cooked bloody just with no toppings. All for best part of 80 quid without the fries being priced as a separate side was all a bit disappointing. Don’t mind paying money for good food but this isn’t it - 1.8/10

We were a group of 5 and we had the best time, everyone was very friendly and drinks were on our taste. Can't wait to go again someday!

This place "can" be really nice. "But" the outdoor seating in front of the lake view is surrounded by clear plexiglass walls. It is hot and stimy in the hot days because the wind just can go through and the people sitting in the enclosed sections are drenched in heavy cologne and perfume that chokes the living air out of lungs. Fine, on the other side of the restaurant is the outdoor smoking area. We've tried again 5 hours later in the evening, finally no one smokes and we can sit down to order dinner. However, the servers aren't fluent in English and the menu shown to us was "meat balls" in tomato sauce, no pasta dishes available. But eating just meat balls and pizza together it's a bit hard for us. We gave it twice chances in one day, no more and left to other restaurants that have better menu.

Good selection of beers and lovely views of the lake

The restaurant is located inside lugano's casino, although it's not necessary to play at the casino in order to eat there. The place is modern and refined. The dishes were tasty and the quantity was good, and also the price was honest and really not that expensive for the area. The waiters were on point and friendly. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to everyone in Lugano

We truly enjoyed foods and wine! Perfect for anniversary dinner.

(Translated by Google) Impeccable service I would say, hospitality 🔝🥰, not to mention the exquisite tasting dishes and the amazing presentation, what can I say I highly recommend it, my friend Patty and I will definitely return 😜🥂🍾 (Original) Servizio impeccabile direi, accoglienza 🔝🥰,per non parlare dei piatti squisiti al gusto e strepitosa la presentazione, che dire lo consiglio vivamente, ci ritorneremo sicuramente io e la mia Amica Patty 😜🥂🍾

(Translated by Google) Always a guarantee! When I want to eat well in Lugano at an excellent quality/price ratio, my choice always falls to Elementi. The restaurant is located inside the Casino—a detail that, judging by some reviews, not everyone seems to appreciate. In my opinion, however, this aspect absolutely cannot detract from the great work done by the entire staff. Starting with the welcome from Leo, the maître d': always available, impeccable, and attentive to finding the best solution to meet every need. The dining room team is extremely professional, yet at the same time capable of putting every guest at ease with their warmth and courtesy. Last but not least, Chef Moreno. Every month he offers a different menu, always refined and original in its combinations of ingredients—and, needless to say, it always manages to amaze. Elementi, in my opinion, is not a restaurant inside a casino, but a real restaurant with the casino surrounding it. (Original) Sempre una garanzia! Quando voglio mangiare bene a Lugano con un ottimo rapporto qualità/prezzo, la mia scelta ricade sempre su Elementi. Il ristorante si trova all’interno del Casinò – un dettaglio che, a giudicare da alcune recensioni, non tutti sembrano apprezzare. A mio parere, però, questo aspetto non può assolutamente sminuire il grande lavoro svolto da tutto lo staff. A partire dall’accoglienza di Leo, il maître di sala: sempre disponibile, impeccabile e attento nel trovare la soluzione migliore per soddisfare ogni esigenza. Il team di sala è estremamente professionale, ma al tempo stesso capace di mettere ogni cliente a proprio agio con simpatia e cortesia. Ultimo ma non meno importante, lo chef Moreno. Ogni mese propone un menù diverso, sempre ricercato e originale negli accostamenti delle materie prime — e, inutile dirlo, ogni volta riesce a stupire. Elementi, a mio avviso, non è un ristorante all’interno di un casinò, ma un vero ristorante con il casinò intorno.

(Translated by Google) Excellent restaurant. Varied and refined menu, generous portions and prices in line with the city of Lugano. We particularly appreciated the first courses, tasty and light (I recommend trying the spaghetti alla guitar with rabbit ragù). The desserts are also exceptional. (Original) Ottimo ristorante. Menù vario e ricercato, porzioni abbondanti e prezzi in linea con la città di Lugano. Abbiamo particolarmente apprezzato i primi piatti, gustosi e leggeri (consiglio di assaggiare gli spaghetti alla chitarra con ragù di coniglio). Eccezionali anche i dolci.

(Translated by Google) The seating is extremely comfortable and I find the distance between the tables to be very adequate. There you don't get the feeling of eating like sardines in a can. I'm sure I come here with my people and can count on being properly looked after. We didn't have to wait the slightest bit long for the dish and our drinks. That was great because we were really hungry that evening. I found the commandment extremely appealing. (Original) Die Sitzgelegenheiten sind äußerst angenehm und den Abstand zwischen den Tischen finde ich sehr adäquat. Dort bekommt man in keinster Weise das Gefühl, wie Sardinen in der Dose Abend zu speisen. Sicher komme meine Wenigkeit hier mit meinen Leuten her und kann mich darauf verlassen anständig betreut zu werden. Auf das Gericht und unsere Getränke mussten wir nicht das kleinste bisschen lange warten. Das war prima, da wir an dem Abend einen mächtigen Heißhunger hatten. Ich fand das Gebot außerordentlich ansprechend.

(Translated by Google) The dishes were beyond exquisite, and the waiters were professional and friendly. Alessandro #1 (Original) Piatti più che squisiti e camerieri professionali e simpatici. Alessandro n. 1

I have a new favourite restaurant. My evening here was pure perfection, starting with the warm welcome by Matteo and Lisabeth - it felt like I was family already. And the food - I am at a loss for words. Rarely have I had the pleasure to eat so well, so simple, but so perfect: the stuffed fried zucchini flower was just a small glimpse into the delicacies to come. Lasagne that puts to shame any I have had before. The pasta with ragu at the other tables looked stellar too... Then the mains: a fritto misto so light and crunchy and perfectly salty. The guanciale di vitello that embodied "melting in your mouth" in a way I have not tasted before, with a sauce to bathe in. And the homemade focaccia with all of it, again the best I have tasted. Then a coniglio so succulent it fell off the bone. All vegetables that came with the mains were wonderful as well, not just an afterthought. The dessert: homemade pistachio and zabaione gelato - pure bliss. And the cantuccini that I could not stop eating despite being full to the brim. And all of this at incredibly reasonable prices. I will be back!

It's the best pasta frutti del mare we've ever had! The mussels are extremely gentle! Highly recommended.

Excellent food. Don't bother about the menu, try some of the chief's suggestions and specials of the day. And the corresponding wine. Desert brandy with almond cookies for dipping on the house. Reasonable price. Booking (especially eves) absolutely necessary/recommended.

Always a warm welcome and outstanding food and wine!

Incredible restaurant with an absolutely fantastic staff that will do anything to make your experience the best and an excellent wine list with a super sommelier that has an impressive memory The menu is absolutely for everyone And super kids friendly and free parking Thanks for a lovely 😊 experience it was memorable

One of my faves in ticino

Excellent food.

This hotel restaurant/bar is OK at best. Their custom cocktails aren’t that good and leave more than something to be desired. I would rather just have an old-fashioned with a good whiskey they drink one of theirs. They’re overpriced and even though the bar staff was fairly friendly, they had some weird role that they had to kick us out when they leave even though other people are allowed to sit in there and finish their drinks and enjoy. It was very rude and offputting. I would recommend going to another establishment.

As per Hippocrates' "Let food be thy medicine" had an opportunity to try out a Michelin Select in Lugano. Chef’s tasting menu is creative, innovative combining with locally sourced ingredients to create dishes of flavors for the palate. The mocktails from the mixology bar was good. Service is attentive except for language in terms of explaining the dishes which is understandable. ‘buon appetito’

The lasagna was absolutely fantastic, rich and flavorful. The ravioli had an incredible filling and sauce that was just out of this world. Then came a dish pro cheek which made for a perfect, unforgettable ending. The tiramisu was as exquisite as all the reviews claimed – light, creamy, and the perfect balance of sweet. Overall, a delightful dining experience

Wonderful upscale restaurant and bar. The menu has multiple vegetarian options and mocktails. Everything we got was delicious, but I would highly recommend the tiramisu! As vegetarians, we really enjoyed the Ceci and Barbabietola. The Greek salad and the fries were good too!

I took the 4 course tasting menu and the mixology pairing. The atmosphere is great and so is the service. The tasting menu gives you a nice sample of the general menu, but the real star of the meal were the wonderfull cocktails.

Expensive small portions with great service. Zucchini appetizer and beef ravioli were unimpressive and not worth ordering again. The cockerell w/ roasted potatoes were delicious with the creamy sauce. Their "tiramisu" is nothing like tiramisu, but is so good it's worth coming back for. Great wine selection, including by the glass. Decaffeinated espresso for that late night stop was a plus. We were seated in the back, near the open kitchen and the restaurant temperature was quiet hot. Sit in the front for a better experience. Alessandra provided exceptional table service.

Went to the Mixology Bar. Got a great seat outside overlooking Piazza Cioccaro. Had two cocktails. 100% Paesa and Radici Ad Est. Very tasty. Also loved the little nibbles I got. Waiter was very friendly and attentive. Thx. Think I hv to go back for the "Tasting Menu"😁

Perfect panorama, delicious dishes and the friendliest staff (as attached 😄). The Guanciale was superb, some portions are a bit small however. The menu is quite short, but the variety is great with the daily options.

Absolutely fantastic little restaurant. We had the Risotto workshop, which comes with also a delicious appetizer, wines and dessert. Our hostess, Jasmin, was very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend both the workshop and this restaurant!

Such a beautiful location by the water. It's not too hot and has a little bit of wind going to make it comfortable (however, if you get cold fast, I recommend bringing a sweater or scarf with you). The food was amazing, very good, and has a home cooked vibe to it. Such a cute and cosy place. We had the fresh salad and tomato and onion salad as starters both very refreshing. As mains, we took codfish and fish of the day. For dessert the chocolate lava cake and panna cotta. Everything was perfectly seasoned, came in good time, and all round tasted scrumptious.

Beautiful waterfront grotto with a relaxed atmosphere, picture-perfect views and friendly family service. Booked a table in advance online, arrived by boat and were served very efficiently - allowing us to catch the next boat back to Lugano centrale. Recommend the burrata and truffle pasta!

Incredible spot. It’s a drive to get there but we loved the scenic ride and it was well worth it. We came early April and the sun set around 7:30pm so we had incredible sun until late. The staff is incredibly friendly and all the food we had was amazing. We’ll be back :)

The most beautiful hidden gem. Amazing to arrive by boat and relax on it afterwards. PS. The staff made our day. So helpful, welcoming, relaxed and just top notch :) Helped us dock our boat so we could come, remembered it was my friends birthday and brought her a candle and sang for her. Made us feel very welcome and special and the day was beautiful ever after :) Thank you!

First time at a Grotto in Lugano and it was well worth it. We were five people and shared multiple items from the menu which all we’re delicious. The price was good for the portion as well as the quality. The staff was friendly and knew English, Spanish and Italian. Table was right on the lake with excellent views. Next time I am in Lugano I will return. The boat ride to the grotto was also greatly priced. Also a tip if you are a wine lover order the house red wine you will not regret it🙂👍🏻

Amazing place! Food like the magic... And the bottle of Swiss wine!

This is quite literally my favorite restaurant in the world... and the same for multiple members of our family who have been going here for 5 generations now. I can't speak highly enough of the outstanding stuff, the traditional fantastic dishes and the unbeatable atmosphere.

Great food, excellent service, we’ll go back in daytime to take advantage of the beautiful view.

Beautiful location delicious food and very kind service ... What else do you need?

Great food with a variety of options from rabbit to beef to lamb. Highly recommend the pâté and bruschetta. The reason for only four stars was the service, which may be easily improved!

Amazing grotto. Exquisite food. Wonderful service. It's far away from the main roads and not easily accessible by public transport so you need to make an effort to get there. But it's worth it. One of the best restaurants I've ever been in and around Lugano. Everything we ate was perfect.

very good cuisine! service very good.

Great, no, fantastic restaurant. As we arrive short notice so we couldn't sit on the terrace, but a group of 10 with 10 min notice.. we got a lovely salon just for us. Food and service were just top. Thanks.. for accepting us on that short notice.

We had a very pleasant experience. The staff was very professional and friendly. The food was excellent. I can only recommend.

one of the best restaurants I have ever been - even better than many 3* Michelin restaurants I visited. Excellent service, very attentive and delicious locally sourced food.

Amazing Italian restaurant, hidden in a residential part of Lugano. Perfect.

My sister had her wedding 💒 dinner 🍽️ here some 15 years ago, and it was absolutely amazing. Warmly recommended. 🌟

It is always a pleasure to come here for lunch or dinner. The food is delicious and the service is great. In summer they have a nice and cozy outdoor area. In the colder months the inside is well decorated. I will come back again.

Ambience: We held our wedding reception here in the Summer of 2018. The outdoor terrace had everything we were looking for during the summer- cool, cosy, private, calm, natural summer vibe. You need to view to appreciate the beauty of this place. Customer service: Above and beyond. Especially considering we were planning our wedding reception from Asia. We cannot thank the entire team enough for making the entire process easy and catering to our every need. Everything could be customized to our preferences; food/menu, portions, extra wedding arrangements and coordination. They even helped us put out some decorations that we had in mind. They are incredibly structured which made planning so easy for us. Food: All our wedding guests enjoyed the food remarkably! We received so many good feedback from our guests on the portions and taste of every course. We arranged a 4 course dinner. The team supports in designing just the right menu that you are looking for. We cannot thank the team at Santabbondio enough for all their help and support in making our wedding absolutely perfect. We are so happy and will definitely be repeat customers! We strongly recommend dining and also organising intimate events here.

Conveniently located in Lugano, their food is delicious. They offer many options including pizza, burgers, piadinas and even desserts. All of them are vegan but you can go even if you are not vegan, like me, and try something new, you will surely like it. + it’s take away (less than 5 mins) + food does not weigh down

Very nice place for tasty vegan food. The staff is very friendly and prices are fine. No tables, so we took the food to park and a lunch with a lake view.

100% vegan place! We grabbed two different kinds of wraps (“chicken” and “kebab”) and enjoyed them at the lake. They were both delicious! The place offers plenty of other options and I hope I will be back to try more! The staff were super friendly and happy as well :)

I have been to this place a few times years ago and it was really good. I went back the other day and found it very underwhelming. We ordered piadine wraps in the style of a falafel kebab and mine was basically a lettuce and mayonnaise wrap with 2 pieces of falafel and about one tomato. My son had the Vebab and said it was good but we were still hungry after we ate after spending 54 Swiss francs for just the wraps for 4 people. We ended up going to IKEA for vegan hot dogs afterwards. Probably should’ve got a slice of pizza instead but they only had the plain one. Too bad.

This place was fantastic, an absolute wonder for a vegan to find, that really makes me feel like we are moving towards great vegan options for food. The pizza was fantastic (The Lugano probably my favourite) with immaculate bread and super well priced, honestly so big that I think I could have ate one slice and been content for around $7. The faccachie was less impressive, and though a great portion is the reason for 4 stars instead of 5.

I have enjoyed a super nice vegan burger there. The owner / host was super nice. I'll go there again and I can highly recommend this place.

A nondescript nomen nubilates the presence of this vegan naos. Worthy of a lingered interlude. Note: this establishment was visited prior to the deordination of social distancing.

A centrally located very accessible restaurant with nice ambience and excellent innovative food. In reasonable price. We dined there last night and enjoyed the atmosphere the good food served generously. The gazpacho with calamary was superb as well as the tuna tartar with scallops. For desert they served either cheese cake with passion fruit sauce or there version of tiramisu, we tried the first which was a perfect ending to the dining experience. I highly recommend the place.

Overall we had a lovely experience. Staff was very friendly, spoke German and English, special of the day was tasty, desserts were the right size.

A great place and restaurant with plenty of nice people working there and delicious food.

Great location to have a coffee and sweets. Indoor and outdoor. The dessert was good but the coffee came warm not hot. I like my coffee extra hot so I returned it and they were open to heat it up for me. The service is outstanding and the atmosphere is very good. They speak English as well as local languages. Follow to get the next review.

Might make sense for a quick pasta for dinner or lunch, but not really suitable for a date night spot. The Pinsa Carbonara was way too salty, and the Caesar Salad was also overly salty. The beetroot risotto was pretty good. The service was friendly and the drinks were good, but overall the experience wasn’t satisfying for a date night and a multi-course meal. The quality simply wasn’t up to the standard you’d expect when paying a fairly normal price for a night out.

Unfortunately, a very unpleasant experience. The staff threw our drinks onto the table without saying a word – one even fell onto the table. No eye contact, no sense of service, just plain rude. We felt mistreated and completely unwelcome. This is not how you treat clients. Definitely not coming back.

I'll start with what's good and that's the atmosphere. The bar looks great inside and out. Unfortunately, the staff is slow and unfriendly, and the drinks are bad. Given the steep prices, this is unacceptable. To be specific, upon being greeted normally, we were seated inside and had to wait over 20 minutes for someone to come take orders. And during this time were not even shown a menu. The orders took forever to arrive (3 chilled coffees and an espresso), and the espresso arrived cold. Upon asking for the espresso to be remade, the waiter showed disappointment and another customer, friends with the waiter, made fun of us without the waiter saying a word. Not exactly a welcoming place, to say the least. Especially given we were the only clients at the time...

Disappointing Experience at I Due Sud – Not Worth the Hype My husband and I visited I Due Sud in Lugano during our honeymoon, expecting a memorable dining experience. Unfortunately, what we got was one of the most disappointing meals of our entire trip. We opted for the 8-course tasting menu and asked the staff upfront how long the dinner would take. We were told approximately 2.5 hours. That seemed reasonable, but two and a half hours in, we had only been served the first three courses. Despite politely asking several times for an update, we were left waiting for extended periods — over 45 minutes between courses — with absolutely nothing on our table. The pacing of the meal was a complete disaster. The long gaps between courses were neither explained nor acknowledged. This wasn’t a leisurely fine dining experience; it was a frustrating, dragged-out evening that felt more like we were forgotten than being served with care. As for the food itself, it simply didn’t live up to expectations. The quality and execution were underwhelming at best — especially considering the price point and the restaurant’s reputation. We were genuinely excited to dine here, but the dishes lacked the creativity and refinement one would expect from a restaurant that aspires to fine dining status. Overall, the entire experience felt like a poorly managed attempt at a tasting menu. We left feeling disappointed, annoyed, and robbed of a special evening on our honeymoon. I would not recommend I Due Sud to anyone looking for a reliable or enjoyable dining experience in Lugano.

It was a truly outstanding experience: everything was to the highest standard. They have 4 tasting menus to choose from, with the option to reduce the amount of meals. We took a full menu “La nobilta et la tradizione” with accompanying wine. The food is a mix of South Swiss + South Italy traditions. It was incredibly interesting to dive into these traditions and feel interesting and incredible tastes. Wines were a perfect match to every meal. The Sommelier was of a very high level, very knowledgeable and professional. The service was outstanding, every little detail was just perfect. The service was really outstanding even in comparison with other gastro and Micheline restaurants. The atmosphere is very classic with a beautiful music on the background. I highly recommend this restaurant

Just an outstanding meal. I appreciate that they have 3 options. I appreciate they didn’t have 25 ‘supplements’. The service was wonderful and gracious. The wines were paired perfectly and generous.

The meal I ate was very delicious. But I will say that the passion fruit cheese cake with white chocolate should be taken off the menu. There were too many components that didn't go together. Cheesecake is my favorite desert and I was just disappointed. I always finish my food and I left most of it. The risotto and sea urchin pasta were very nice. Nothing to complain about. The service and atmosphere were a stand out in a good way. And the last thing, I think they could give much better bread at the beginning of the meal.

You book the restaurant. They say it’s available… they pre authorize your card for 300 franks and they cancel your reservation. I just hope the pre authorization will be released

Freshly cooked meals made out of top quality ingredients. You really can flavor the quality, my sister and I were definitely very impressed. Didn't wait long to be offered, meal arrived promptly. Really like this place, not too expensive. My brother and sis suggested it to me, was not unfulfilled, lovely food and good price also. We actually want to thank the staff for making my brother's birthday so special.

The food it is good and service is amazing! We had a table by the window and although it was evening we could see the lake and city lights.

The chocolate I bought at the Vanini chocolate shop in Lugano🇨🇭with almonds costs 98.50 CHF per kilo and it tastes like chocolate made in Serbia 🇷🇸 or the Republic of North Macedonia 🇲🇰 There is nothing wrong with it except that this quality of chocolate costs literally 750% to 900% less in the above mentioned countries. The almonds in the chocolate are fresh but they are not roasted (perhaps a cost cutting measure). In the unlikely event that I crave the taste of this chocolate again I will enter a supermarket in Belgrade or Skopje and get myself some.

Vittorio Vanini is a true gem in Lugano. The chocolate is exquisite—rich, refined, and crafted with remarkable quality. I especially loved the dark chocolate with nuts inside, which was absolutely delightful. The customer service is just as exceptional; warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. A perfect destination for anyone who appreciates fine chocolate and timeless elegance.

The food was very tasty. There is a wide variety of desserts and drinks — tea/coffee for every taste. Pancakes, waffles, pastries, cakes, profiteroles, ice cream. On the downside: we had to wait a long time for both the order and the bill. The service is very slow. There are a lot of people, the place is clearly popular. At some point we thought they had forgotten about us. Another big minus — smoking and non-smoking tables are placed too close to each other. Even though it’s outdoors, it doesn’t help. You are enjoying a delicious dessert but forced to breathe in cigarette smoke from the next table instead of the aroma of coffee.

The best ice cream in Lugano! Such a cozy place with friendly service. I lived in Lugano for two years and came here often – and I still visit every time I return to the city. Always a highlight!

The female staff member at this ice cream shop in Lugano had a very rude attitude. She wouldn’t even respond unless we repeated our question or request. When we asked her about the best ice cream flavor, she just said, “All flavors are good,” in a dismissive way. Her tone was arrogant and unwelcoming. I was honestly shocked by her behavior and the sense of superiority and discrimination she showed.

was honestly disappointed. I had heard so much about this place and was really looking forward to it. we ordered the cafe vanini 1871 and it was literally overflowing out the cup so it was hard to drink. also I received the wrong order which I completely understand could be an honest mistake but the service was painfully slow, we had asked for the bill and the waiter never ended up coming. not worth the hype.

Stayed here for around an hour waiting for our tour group while it was raining. Staff were nice and the drinks were good. Great location being right at the plaza by the lake.

Best pizza in Lugano. Great service.

Been there multiple times over the past 2 years, absolutely love the friendly staff, the food is always amazing no matter what you take, the prices are almost too low for the quality compared to the city center. Definitely 110% recommend, for one person, couple dinner or a group. Perfect also for having lunch with very nice and affordable lunch menus! Give them a ciao!

We visited the restaurant with 2 children for a dinner. It was fine.

Cool place, good selection of draft beers and wonderful waitress :)

Really good helpful staff who did their best to make an enjoyable evening.

Restaurant with really nice and Tartu casual good ... Great lunch, great value for money

We had a birthday ceremony there. A average place to celebration.