Our favorite restaurants in the Lugano region
Osteria Penel
The small Osteria in Besso, run with passion by Karin and Ale, impresses with its warm hospitality, fast service, fresh, local dishes and the small in-house beer selection "Penellina".
Via Moncucco 35 • 6900 Lugano Besso • +41 91 967 10 70
www.osteriapenel.ch • info@osteriapenel.ch
Open Monday to Friday: 11:45 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 24:00
Grotto della Salute
A somewhat hidden but well-known, elegant grotto in the region with excellent cuisine, friendly service and a magnificent wine cellar.
Via Sindacatori 2A • 6900 Lugano Massagno •. +41 91 966 04 76
www.grottodellasalute.ch • info@grottodellasalute.ch
Open Monday to Saturday: 12:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 22:00
Tabla
A stylish Asian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant in the middle of the Montagnola forest, with a beautiful terrace and a unique, sophisticated culinary style.
Via ai Canvetti 15 •. 6926 Montagnola (Collina d'Oro) •. +41 91 968 19 00
www.tablalugano.ch • info@tablalugano.ch
Open Monday to Saturday: 5 PM to 1 AM
Flamel Restaurant & Mixology Bar
Located in the heart of Lugano's old town, Flamel offers a modern ambience, contemporary high-quality cuisine and Lugano's only true mixology bar with unique cocktails made with spirits and essences from its own laboratory.
Piazza Cioccaro 5 • 6900 Lugano •. +41 91 910 57 06
www.flamellugano.com • hello@flamellugano.com
Open daily: 7:00 to 1:00
Ticino Lifestyle
Mediterranean flair Swiss style
Surrounded by breathtaking mountains and pristine lakes, Ticino combines Mediterranean charm with Swiss reliability: a harmonious blend of unspoiled nature and urban life, as well as centuries-old cities steeped in history.
In Ticino, growing economic power with secure, profitable investments combines with plenty of sunshine, warm hospitality, exquisite and rich cuisine, world-class wines, relaxing wellness retreats and great shopping opportunities.
Rediscover your quality of life with Meraki.
Food & Drink
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M eraki (Swiss) SA • Via Besso 42 A • 6901 Lugano
Our favorite restaurants in the Locarno / Ascona region
Ristorante da Valentino
This traditional restaurant in the heart of Locarno's old town offers a stylish ambience and excellent, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine.
Via Torretta 7 • 6600 Locarno •. +41 91 910 57 06
www.davalentino.ch • info@davalentino.ch
Open Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30 to 14:30 and 18:30 to 22:00
Seven Easy • Seven TocToc • Seven Asia • Seven Senses Beach Club
The Seven Group operates several cool restaurants in Ascona with a very contemporary ambiance and a wide variety of culinary offerings. Our favorites are TocToc right on the harbor, Seven-Easy with its modern interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine, the award-winning Seven-Asia, and the trendy Seven-Senses beach club in the Lido of Ascona.
Seven Group
Ristorante Blu
The stylish Ristorante Blu with a large terrace directly on the lake is part of the Locarno Spa complex and is characterized by a very creative, modern cuisine and very attentive service, and offers various lounge and restaurant areas as well as seminar and banquet rooms.
Via Respini 9 •. 6600 Locarno. •. +41 91 759 00 90
www.blu-locarno.ch •. info@blu-locarno.ch
Open daily: 11:00 to 24:00
Grotto America
One of the most authentic and charming grottos in Ticino, down-to-earth, creative, full of life, music, and absolutely authentic Ticino grotto cuisine. A family-run business with history, warm service, and a wonderful atmosphere.
Via ai Grotti 71. •. 6652 Ponte Brolla. •. +41 91 796 23 70
Open from April to October, Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 24:00
Wines & Grappa
Diversity far beyond Merlot
Ticino is known for its excellent Merlots, but in recent decades the wine landscape in Ticino has developed into a great diversity.
With new, young winemakers, new philosophies, and new grape varieties, wines have been created that would have been unthinkable twenty years ago.
Our choice is Meraki; joy of life, passion and love for what they do...
More information about Ticino wine producers can be found here: https://ticinowine.ch/de/le-nostre-cantine/
I Vini di Miriam
A small family business, founded in 2009 by Miriam and Maurizio in Malcantone. Passionately, with a focus on nature, family, and craftsmanship, this winery is a hidden gem in the Lugano region.
Azienda Vitivinicola di Miriam Herrman-Gaudio
6998 Castello di Monteggio
www.ivinidimiriam.ch • info@vinidimiriam.ch •. +41 91 600 03 40
Cantine Riva di Morcote
A young winery, founded in 2012, producing organic wines and an excellent grappa on just 4.5 hectares. The founders, Patrick Ballabio and Marco Citran, are neighbors at our business headquarters in Lugano.
Cantine Riva di Morcote
Via Besso 42. •. 6900 Lugano
Garzoli Vini
Founded in 2007 by Robin Garzoli, who grew up in the Maggia Valley, this winery boasts picturesque vineyards planted with Merlot and Uva Americana grapes, cultivated in the traditional manner by the family.
Garzoli Vini di Robin Garzoli
al Büsgian 2. •. 6673 Maggia
www.rombolau.ch • info@rombolau.ch •. +41 79 689 75 62
Leisure & Wellness
Pure wellbeing
Culture and architecture
For us, the three stone villages of Bordei, Terra Vecchia, and Rasa, nestled at the very end of the Centovalli valley, are among the must-sees in Ticino. Bordei, although car-free, is accessible by vehicle; from there, you can walk via Terra Vecchia to Rasa, where a cable car leads back down into the valley.
More about museums, culture and architecture in Ticino:
Nature
The scenic beauty of Ticino is legendary. Largely untouched forests, mountains, valleys, and lakes invite you to enjoy a wide range of activities and marvel at the scenery. Canyoning, biking, skiing, water sports, hiking, climbing, swimming, horseback riding, paragliding, sunbathing; it's all right on your doorstep.
More about parks and gardens:
• www.ticino.ch/de/explore/parks-gardens.html
More about Hike & Bike:
• www.ticino.ch/de/explore/excursions.html
More about outdoor sports:
Music & Festivals
Countless festivals, open-air concerts and events make Ticino itself a symphony.
Festivals:
• https://www.myswitzerland.com/
• https://www.ticino.ch/de/explore/events/music/music-list.html
More on leisure activities:
• https://www.ticinotopten.ch/de/
Wellness
Whether it's hotels with spa areas, beach resorts or public wellness oases: in Ticino, the choice is difficult...
Spa hotels:
• Chiva Sun, Brione sopra Ascona
Public wellness facilities:
• Saltwater Bath & Spa, Locarno
The most beautiful beaches:
• Lido di Ascona
Shopping
Foxtown is widely known, but we won't mention it further here. The old towns and numerous markets in Ticino and the border region are more exciting and offer a richer experience.
Lugano:
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Gabbani in the heart of the old town; various shops selling delicacies, wines, cheeses, meat specialties, fruits and vegetables:
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SH21 Boutique at Piazza Riforma in the heart of Lugano, offering select styles for men and women.
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Confiserie al Porto , the most beautiful coffee house with confectionery in Lugano, located in the heart of the old town.
Ponte Tresa:
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The year-round market in Ponte Tresa , held every Saturday, offers a wide variety of clothing, food specialties, and accessories. It's a rather small market, but very diverse. Small, charming, and authentic.
Ascona:
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The Borgo of Ascona with its many winding alleys and courtyards, small boutiques, galleries and shops; perfect for a day with gelato or a platter, lunch and dinner on the lake promenade.
Como:
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Como's historic old town is sprawling and winding, full of small, extraordinary boutiques, art, delicacies, cafes and restaurants; every Saturday there is a large market outside the city walls.
