One of Lugano’s most beautiful restaurants, the Grotta della Salute, is hidden in a delicate pink-coloured old townhouse with green shutters. It is located outside the city centre, in the quiet suburb of Massagno, which is why it is still largely unknown to tourists. It is all the more popular with local business people. At lunchtime, almost every seat under the large chestnut trees is occupied by lawyers, bankers and architects in elegant Italian business outfits. The waiters in white shirts and bow ties are similarly stylish, serving perfectly formed delicacies such as courgette flowers filled with ricotta, bacon and porcini mushrooms, involtini or ravioli. The absolute highlight is dessert: if you are lucky, you can try the homemade grape sorbet on grape mousse in late summer. A taste you won’t soon forget. The outdoor area extends over three levels. You take a seat on white ornate metal chairs grouped around large, lovingly set stone tables. It’s definitely better to sit outside than inside, where it’s more subdued and cosy. In the evening, you should definitely make a reservation. Even though the restaurant is called Grotto, it is very different in style from the many somewhat more rustic grotti that dominate Ticino and offers a welcome change.
Via Madonna della Salute 10
6900 Massagno
phone: 0041 (0)91 9660476
sunday closed
mon - sat 12.00 - 2.00 pm + 7.00 pm - midnight
