Restaurants in Ticino
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A
Cyrano
Try to ignore the horrendous orange building and be soothed by the crisp interior and white linen. Out of the kitchen comes a mix of local cooking with broader Swiss and Mediterranean strands. The spadellata di camoscio al ginepro e sugo di caccia con spätzli al burro e cavolo rosso alle mele (pan-cooked chamois with juniper and game sauce, butter spätzli and red cabbage with apple) is a mouth-watering autumn Swiss country feast.
reviewed
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B
Bottegone del Vino
Favoured by the local banking brigade at lunchtime, this is a great place to taste fine local wines over a well-prepared meal. The menu changes daily and might include a filetto di rombo al vapore (steamed turbot fillet) or ravioli stuffed with fine Tuscan Chianina beef. Knowledgeable waiters fuss around the tables and are only too happy to suggest the perfect Ticino tipple.
reviewed
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San Bernardo
Head out of town for the warren of medieval alleys in Comano, where you'll discover this gourmet getaway. Opt for the summer pergola or muted designer dining room. The menu changes frequently and the emphasis is on slight twists to old recipes. The quadrotti di zucca (squares of pumpkin-filled pasta with a sweetish chestnut sauce) melt in the mouth. Take a taxi.
reviewed
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C
Ristorante Centenario
This lakeside gem seems to have left behind a trifle of its former French-inspired snobbery but remains a top culinary address, turning out such clever dishes as filetto di vitello con cuore di cantucci alle mandorle e scaloppa di fegato d’anatra scottata (veal fillet with almond biscuit and roast duck liver).
reviewed
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D
Al Portone
For an upmarket meal, this place remains a sure bet for gourmands. It has a lunchtime set menu (Sfr58) and a tasting feast menu at night (Sfr120). How about the filetto di manzo gratinato alle cipolle rosse di Tropea e purea di patate (steak fillet au gratin with south Italian red onions and mashed potato) ?
reviewed
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E
L’Antica Osteria del Porto
Set back from Lugano’s sailing club, this is the place for savouring local fish and Ticinese dishes. It’s hard to resist the grigliata mista di pesci di mare e crostacei (mixed fish and shellfish grill). The terrace overlooking the Cassarate stream is pleasant, and you also have lake views.
reviewed
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Antica Osteria Vacchini
Diners find no shortage of pasta, meat and fish options in this old-time eatery (with outdoor section across the lane) but the house special is piodadella della Vallamaggia, a set of three kinds of cold meats with three matching sauces, salad and fried – a filling and tasty summer option.
reviewed
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F
Osteria Chiara
Tucked away on a cobbled lane, this has all the cosy feel of a grotto. Sit at granite tables beneath the pergola or at timber tables by the fireplace for chunky pasta and mostly meat dishes. From the lake follow the signs up Vicolo dei Nessi.
reviewed
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G
Grand Café Al Porto
This café, which began life way back in 1803, has several fine rooms for dining too. Be sure to take a look at the frescoed Cenacolo Fiorentino, once a monastery dining hall, upstairs. It’s used for private functions.
reviewed
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H
Al Lido
Lugano’s lakeside beach restaurant is especially popular for its Sunday buffet brunch (Sfr36.50). They also do a Wednesday evening version, Lunar (6.30pm to 1am), for the same price and with DJ thrown in.
reviewed
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Ristorante La Froda
Sit at one of five timber tables by a crackling fire for heaped serves of melt-in-the-mouth stinco di maiale (pork shank), served with the best polenta you are likely to taste. Wash down with a glass of Merlot.
reviewed
