Must-see restaurants in Ticino

  • Arté al Lago

    Lugano

    This Michelin-starred restaurant at the exclusive lakefront Villa Castagnola is Lugano’s culinary star. Chef Frank Oerthle does remarkable things with…

  • Ecco

    Ticino

    Super-chic Ecco flaunts two Michelin stars and dining here is an event. Chef Rolf Fliegauf runs the stove and works wonders with carefully selected…

  • Metamorphosis

    Lugano

    One for special occasions, Metamorphosis is housed in Lugano's futuristic Palazzo Mantegazza, right by the lakeshore. Chef Luca Bellanca walks the…

  • Trattoria Cantinin dal Gatt

    Ticino

    Slip up a cobblestone side street to find this cracking little trattoria, brimming with warmth and bonhomie. The brick-vaulted interior is inviting for…

  • Osteria Chiara

    Locarno

    Hidden up a flight of steps, Osteria Chiara has all the cosy feel of a grotto (rustic Ticino-style inn or restaurant). Sit at granite tables beneath the…

  • La Tinèra

    Lugano

    Huddled down a backstreet near Piazza della Riforma, this convivial, rustic restaurant rolls out extremely tasty Ticinese home cooking. You might begin,…

  • Locanda Locarnese

    Locarno

    Elegant rusticity sums up this smart restaurant, with its beamed ceiling, crisp white tablecloths and open fire, as well as a smattering of pavement…

  • Osteria del Centenario

    Locarno

    Down by the lake, this is a top culinary address, turning out creative fusion dishes like pigeon served two ways with green curry and lime, and panna…

  • Al Portone

    Lugano

    Bold artworks grace this contemporary gourmet haunt, while Francis plies you with such season-infused taste sensations as scallops and caviar on a bed of…

  • Locanda Orico

    Ticino

    Seasonality is the name of the game at this Michelin-starred temple to good food, housed in a slickly converted palazzo in the old town. Creations such as…

  • Grotto Ca’ Rossa

    Ticino

    Spilling onto a flower-strewn garden in summer and with a log fire blazing in winter, this grotto (rustic Ticino-style inn or restaurant) is an…

  • Trani

    Lugano

    Follow the cobbled steps down from Via Cattedrale to this enticing little osteria. The candlelit, brick-vaulted interior is a wonderfully intimate setting…

  • Osteria Mistral

    Ticino

    Luca Braghelli takes pride in local sourcing and makes the most of whatever is in season at this smart, intimate osteria. Be it homemade pasta or autumn…

  • Pasta e Pesto

    Lugano

    Doing pretty much what it says on the tin, this cute little place near Cattedrale di San Lorenzo has a pocket-size terrace for digging into fresh home…

  • Bottegone del Vino

    Lugano

    Favoured by Lugano's downtown banking brigade, this place has a season-driven menu, with ever-changing lunch and dinner options scrawled on the blackboard…

  • La Cucina di Alice

    Lugano

    With an atmosphere that's both refined and relaxed and attentive service, this sweet little restaurant opposite Lugano's lakefront serves up classic…

  • Grottino Ticinese di Bellinzona

    Ticino

    It's worth going the extra mile to experience convivial Ticinese-style dining in a grotto. This one is the real deal, with a tree-shaded terrace, warm…

  • Antica Osteria Vacchini

    Ticino

    Sizzling and stirring since 1685, this restaurant stays true to the best of Ticinese traditions, with a rustic, vaulted interior and a large terrace for…

  • Bottega del Vino

    Locarno

    One for oenophiles, this bottle-lined wine bar and bistro has a convivial vibe and simple but spot-on dishes such as asparagus salad with parmesan, steak…

  • Casa del Popolo

    Ticino

    Taking pride in local sourcing and keeping things as seasonal as possible, this buzzy bistro is a good option close to the train station. Besides pizza,…

  • La Froda

    Ticino

    With a cracking view of Foroglio's wispy falls from its terrace, this osteria is simply lovely. Sit at one of five timber tables by the fireside for…

  • Mercato di Bellinzona

    Ticino

    Fresh produce from Alpine cheeses to fresh bread, salumi and fruit is sold at the Saturday morning market in the lanes of the historic centre on and…

  • Grottino Ticinese

    Ticino

    If you're craving the rustic warmth and simplicity of a Ticinese grotto, this is your place. There's an attractive garden for summer day dining and a menu…

  • Grotto del Pep

    Lugano

    In the best of grotto traditions, this cheery place up on a hill has a huge terrace shaded by trees and chipper staff. Go for the house specialities like…

  • Giardino Pizzeria

    Ticino

    Giardino attracts a faithful local following for its pizza – thin, crisp and delicious. The house special B'zona comes with parmesan, cured meat, tomatoes…

  • Grotto Val d’Ambra

    Ticino

    At off-the-beaten-track Grotto Val d’Ambra in Personico, try brasato (beef braised in red wine) with home-produced wine in the chestnut-shaded garden…

  • Grotto Efra

    Ticino

    From the terrace you can look out to a waterfall darting over a wooded cliff face at this delightful little grotto. The polenta and costine (spare ribs)…

  • Ristorante Castelgrande

    Ticino

    It’s not often you get the chance to eat inside a Unesco World Heritage Site. The medieval castle setting alone is enough to bewitch. Seasonal…

  • Grotto Castelgrande

    Ticino

    For the best view of Bellinzona’s illuminated castles, book a table on the vine-strewn terrace of this atmospheric vaulted cellar for dishes such as…

  • L’Antica Osteria del Porto

    Lugano

    Set back from Lugano’s sailing club, this is the place for local fish and Ticinese dishes like polenta crostini with porcini. The terrace overlooking the…

  • Caffe dell Arte

    Locarno

    This classy, light-filled cafe is right at home in Locarno's old town with some outdoor tables on the lane, free wi-fi and a small but light menu that…

  • Chocolat Gelateria

    Lugano

    Up the steps on Via Cattedrale, this hole-in-the-wall gelateria is a great place to grab a cone, with flavours ranging from classic strawberry to chilli…

  • Vanini

    Lugano

    With a prime people-watching terrace on Piazza della Riforma, Vanini is a firm favourite among locals for its quality gelato. Grab a cone to go or take a…

  • L'Archetto

    Locarno

    Even locals rave about the crisp, flavoursome takeaway pizza at this hole-in-the-wall snack spot. Delizioso!