Lugano Guide (2023 Edition)
I have finally come around to doing the guide for my home town - Lugano - below you’ll find where to eat, drink and sleep in this charming city in the south of Switzerland. It was definitely not easy to list my favourite restaurants as there are really a lot of great places where you can eat or snack. The best part of a trip to Lugano is combining something a bit more fancy with an evening at a “Grotto” to see everything the city has to offer.
Restaurants
Below you will find some of my favourite restaurants in and around Lugano. Some of these restaurants have been around for years while others are quite new. You will find everything from Michelin starred restaurants to Grottos where people eat ribs and polenta with their hands while drinking wine mixed with gazzosa ( a sweetened, flavoured and slightly carbonated water from Ticino).
Osteria Gallo D’Oro
Osteria Gallo D’Oro is one of those classic restaurants that has been good since forever and hasn’t lost its touch in all these years. Their fish and meat dishes are exquisite and they always have a fresh catch everyday.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Via Cantonale 3A, 6964 Davesco-Soragno
Grotto della Salute
Grotto della Salute is secretly my favourite restaurant in Lugano. The location is absolutely perfect in the summer and they hands down have the best terrace in Lugano. Everything on the menu is great but I’m a big fan of their pasta. Perfect also for big groups.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Via Madonna della Salute 2A, 6900 Massagno
Ristorante Balmelli
Ristorate Balmelli used to be a pizzeria when I was younger and has recently changed owners. They now offer delicious food and a nice atmosphere (they also have a nice terrace for when the weather is warmer). The area where the restaurant is is very nice to walk around so I would recommend it for lunch.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Sant'Abbondio 31, 6925 Gentilino
Salotto Bré
Salotto Bré has the most perfect location - it’s located right on top of the Bré Mountain and it has amazing views. The owners are Argentinian and you will find the best Empanadas and meat. I suggest you go either for lunch while hiking around Bré or a sunset dinner.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Brè 46, 6979 Lugano
Grotto del Pep
Ticino is all about Grotto’s “simple taverns in quiet hideaway places where you can have typical food”. Grotto del Pep is the king of the Grotto’s in my opinion. They have the best “puntine” (baby ribs) and polenta. Don’t expect anything fancy (as you can see from the pic) and come here if you want the real Ticinese experience. Perfect in the summer as they have a nice terrace.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Arbostora 18, 6913 Lugano
Motto del Gallo
Another one of those restaurants that keeps giving over the years. Motto del Gallo has delicious food and a perfect ambiance - it’s on the Guide Michelin and the prices are a bit steeper but it’s definitely worth it. It’s not in town so I suggest you go by car.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Bicentenario 16, 6807 Taverne
Ristorante Santabbondio
Ristorante Santabbondio is a special place especially in the summer when the terrace is open. It’s on the more expensive side but definitely worth it if you are planning a special evening. Their pasta is delicious and they also have very good meat/fish dishes
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Fomelino 10, 6924 Sorengo
Badalucci
Another fancier restaurant, Baldalucci is in the town center and is also featured on the Michelin guide. Originally from the island of Procida, the chef here focuses mainly on fish-based dishes, although the menu also features delicious meat options and a few vegetarian recipes.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Viale Cassarate 3, 6900 Lugano
Grotto Figini
Grotto Figini is another delicious Grotto, a bit “fancier” than other grottos with great outdoor seating. There are virtually no cars driving down the street its on so you really feel like you’re in the middle of the forest. I really like their grilled “Tomino” (Ticinese cheese) and their polenta.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via ai Grotti 17, 6925 Collina d'Oro
La Sorgente
La Sorgente is a restaurant we recently discovered and loved right away. The dishes are spectacular and the location is to die for. Perfect for a day out, you can walk around Morcote/ Vico Morcote and stop here for lunch or you can come by car in the evening for dinner.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Portich da Sura 18, 6921 Vico Morcote
Quick Bites and Chilled Places
Sometimes you just don’t have time to sit down at a restaurant or you want to enjoy a glass of wine with a smaller meal. Lugano is perfect for this as it offers a lot of places where you can just grab a pizza or a bite, enjoying the atmosphere and feeling “Luganese”. Many people in the city enjoy just hanging out in many of the spots below and you’ll feel right at home.
Pro Tip: The best ice cream shops are: Gelateria Veneta and -9 Gelato
Gabbani
Gabbani is an institution in Lugano and a great place to grab a quick bite at lunch or sit down in one of their restaurants if you want to relax a bit more. I really love their pizza and their panini’s and their Japanese restaurant “Ikobani” has the best rooftop in the center of Lugano.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Via Pessina 12, Piazza Cioccaro 1, 6900 Lugano
Aqua e Farina
Aqua e Farina is right in the middle of town and has the best pizza in Lugano. The only downside is that it’s indoors and there are no outdoor seats but the restaurant is nice and cozy. All of their pizzas are delicious and I would come here on a rainy day or if you want an easy pizza dinner.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Canova 9, 6900 Lugano
Wilma’s
Wilma’s is one of the newest additions in Lugano and the best pizza “al trancio”. If you want a fast lunch head to Wilma’s get some slices of pizza and enjoy them in a park or bench nearby. My favourite is their vegetarian pizza.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Pretorio 21, 6900 Lugano
La Dispensa
La Dispensa is a nice place both for a healthy bowl lunch but also for drinks in the evening. They have a nice location in the center of town on a street without cars and they make great Gin & Tonics and Moscow Mules. They are also one of the healthier and lighter lunch options in town.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via della Posta 4, 6900 Lugano
La Fermata
A great place for when you want to get your hands dirty with a juicy burger/ tacos and a beer. La Fermata is a nice place for an easy and chilled dinner.
Our Rating: ★★★
Viale Carlo Cattaneo 21, 6900 Lugano
Argentino
Another Luganese institution - Argentino is right in the central square of Lugano and has the best “thin” pizza in town. They also have various salads and pastas but I recommend the pizza. It’s a great place to sit down and people watch. You can also come for a coffee.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Crocicchio Cortogna 1, 6900 Lugano
Mauri’s
At Mauri you will definitely experience the “Luganese” feeling. Mauri is always busy from breakfast to lunch to drinks and it’s definitely always a good idea. The breakfast is my absolute favourite in the city and their bagels and savoury croissants are delicious.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Via Gerolamo Vegezzi 4, 6900 Lugano
Hotels
Lugano unfortunately doesn’t have the best hotel choices but there are a couple of gems that will make your stay absolutely amazing. A lot of nice and big 5 star hotels were last refurbished in the 80’s (Villa Principe Leopoldo, Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, Splendid Lugano) and are still considered some of the best hotels in town but the decor and style is outdated and definitely needs a revamp. You can head to Villa Principe Leopoldo for a drink on their famous terrace with incredible views and to Villa Castagnola to have an afternoon coffee and enjoy their premises but I would recommend staying in one of the following places if you want something modern, new and nice.
Relais Castello di Morcote
Yes, it’s a bit outside of town but Castello di Morcote is, in my opinion, the best hotel in and around the Lugano area. It has recently been refurbished completely and the decor is super nice and cozy. One of our favourite restaurants - Ristorante La Sorgente is also part of the Hotel. I do not recommend this hotel if you don’t have a car as public transport is not the best.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Portich da Sura 18, 6921 Vico Morcote
Guesthouse Castagnola
Guesthouse Castagnola is run by an incredible Swedish woman who will make your stay amazing. The Guesthouse is located in Castagnola right by the lake and you can walk to town in about 15 minutes. The decor is stylish and cozy and the breakfast is amazing. Only downside, it’s a guesthouse not a hotel so there is no lobby or restaurant for the evenings.
Our Rating: ★★★★★
Salita degli Olivi 2, 6976 Lugano
The View
If you want to splurge head to The View, Lugano’s fanciest hotel. The view has recently been built on top of Paradiso and has incredible views over the city, the prices are quite steep but worth it if you want a special weekend.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Paradiso CH, Via Guidino 29, 6900 Lugano
Dante
Recently refurbished, Dante hotel is definitely the most centric hotel on the list. You will find yourself right in the center of town close to Via Nassa. The rooms are small but very clean and new and the breakfast is great. It’s also easy to reach from the train station as you just have to take the funicular down or walk 10 minutes.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Piazza Cioccaro 5, 6900 Lugano
Bigatt
Bigatt is one of the newest hotels in Lugano, it’s set on a hill above Paradiso and has great lake views. The best thing about Bigatt: it has a pool and a great terrace where you can enjoy your aperitivo or have lunch/dinner at their restaurant. The rooms are basic but clean and new.
Our Rating: ★★★★
Via Carona 41, 6900 Paradiso