Lugano Restaurants: A Local’s Picks

The local’s favorite restaurant series continues with these selections by Peter Gloor, a Visiting Scholar at the Center for Coordination Science at MIT’s Sloan School of Management. Prior to this role Peter lead the e-Business practice Europe for Deloitte and before that the Section Leader for Software Engineering at Union Bank of Switzerland, as well as other roles. He grew up in Switzerland and provides his picks for the best places to eat for the Italian speaking part of southern Switzerland, mostly Lugano.

Osteria Gallo D'Oro, Davesco - high quality local food in typical Ticinese surroundings, great outdoor pergola, Peter’s favorite. It is located at Via Cantonale
6964 Davesco-Soragno tel. 091 941 19 43

Osteria Calprino, Lugano Paradiso - very typical, excellent food at modest pricing, impressive local chef, I once was dining there when the Swiss President (Moritz Leuenberger at that time) was eating there, too. It is located at Via Carona 18 - Lugano Paradiso - tel. 091 994 14 80

Restaurante Villa Principe, Leopoldo - very expensive, but excellent food and great ambiance, great view over Lugano and lakes. There is a hotel if you need to stay over after the meal. It is perched atop the "Golden Hill" which dominates the city of Lugano. The villa was built for Prince Leopold von Hohenzollern in 1868. It now has Wi-Fi. South Travels says, “The Restaurant Principe Leopoldo is an elegant venue for Chef de Cuisine Dario Ranza who has created one of the best gastronomic addresses in Switzerland.” It is located at Via Montalbano, 5 CH-6900 Lugano (Tessin) Tel.: : + 41 091 985 88 55

Motto del Gallo, Taverne, - very good local food, not really cheap, but well worth it, nice historic atmosphere. Their site says it is the synonym of charm. “A romantic stainway leads to a group of small 15th century houses, richly furnished with antiques and work of the art. Rustic terrace. Seasonal market produce. Tasty, mediterranean-style coockery.Superb choice of around 500 wines, mainly from selected Ticino vinedressers. Three small very confortable suites.” It is located at Via al Motto / CH-6817 Taverne
T. + 41.091.9452871

Comments

[John T. Maloney]

Hi -- Here is a reference list for the top '50' according to one authority. -jheuristic

RESTAURANT MAGAZINE - 50 BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD 2004 (in association with Penfolds)
(UK Restaurants CAPITALISED)

French Laundry, Yountville, CA, USA
THE FAT DUCK, Bray
El Bulli, Spain
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Paris
Pierre Gagnaire, Paris
Guy Savoy, Paris
NOBU, London
RESTAURANT GORDON RAMSAY, London
Michel Bras, Laguiole, France
Louis XV, Monaco
Gramercy Tavern, New York
Daniel, New York
Tetsuya's, Sydney
HAKKASAN, London
THE WATERSIDE INN, Bray
ST JOHN, London
L'Ami Louis, Paris
Jean Georges, New York
LE GAVROCHE, London
Flower Drum, Melbourne
THE MERCHANT HOUSE, Ludlow
Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain
Dal Pescatore, Canneto sull'Oglio, Italy
THE IVY, London
Arpege, Paris
El Raco de Can Fabes, San Celoni, Spain
Schwarzwaldstube, Baiersbronn, Germany
The Cliff, Barbados
Rockpool, Sydney
LE MANOIR AUX QUAT' SAISONS, Oxford
Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Charlie Trotter, Chicago
Le Jardin des Sens, Montpellier
THE SQUARE, London
Spago, Los Angeles
Bukhara, India
Chez Panisse, California
Le Meurice, Paris
Trois Gros, Roanne, France
Balthazar, New York
RIVER CAFÉ, London
La Tupina, Bordeaux
Auberge d'Ill, Illhauseern-Alsace
Craft, New York
Le Tour d'Argent, Paris
La Maison de Marc Veyrat, Annecy, France
Felix, Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong
De Karmeliet, Bruges
THE WOLSELEY, London
Gambero Rosso, San Vincenzo

INDIVIDUAL AWARD WINNERS
(UK Restaurants CAPITALISED)

Penfolds Best Restaurant in the World: The French Laundry, CA, USA

Best American Restaurant: The French Laundry, CA, USA
Best European Restaurant: THE FAT DUCK, Bray, UK
Best African and Middle Eastern Restaurant: Al Mahara, Dubai
Best Asian Restaurant: Bukhara, New Delhi, India
Best Australasian Restaurant: Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia
Best Newcomer to the List: THE FAT DUCK, Bray, UK
Most Improved Restaurant on the List: ST JOHN, London, UK

Outstanding Value: Gramercy Tavern, NY, USA

Chefs Choice (voted for by last year's 50 Best): Tetsuya's, Sydney, Australia Editors Choice (voted for by editorial panel): THE WOLSELEY,UK, London

For further media information or comment please contact Thom Hetherington on 07968 846358

[Peter Green]

I have recently visited Osteria Calprino.After a long journey of discovery in matters epicurian I've rediscovered the joys of simplicity. The very best ingredients treated respectfully and relying on their own merits rather than an imposed strident herbal accent was a revelation. Mr.Bianchi dominates the tiny dining area. A maestro of the most difficult of the culinary arts, the elevation of the basic to the sublime.
Peter Green

[bill Ives]

Peter and John

Thanks for comments. I hope to get there some day to confirm your impressions.

Bill

[ticino]

Anyone interested in a memorable online travel immersion experience can visit. It’s got all of the sights and sounds of the Lugano Region plus useful travel planning tools. The Lugano Tourism Office seeks to acquaint the wider public with the natural environment, scenery, history and culture of the area; arouse interest and curiosity; and awaken a desire to spend a holiday in Switzerland’s Lugano Region. www.discoverlugano.ch

[Volunteer2009]

A great blog with many tips and information for the future volunteer that will travel abroad. Cheap tickets, how to travel, when to go, the pro and cons of volunteering, and much more. http://blog.abroaderview.org

[bill Ives]

Thanks. I liked the abroaderview blog, especially the post. http://blog.abroaderview.org/2009/01/12/how-to-avoid-looking-like-an-american-tourist/ Bill