Location: Bellinzona
Top Restaurants in Bellinzona
Where to Eat in Bellinzona: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Bellinzona (Italian pronunciation: [bellinˈtsoːna]; French: Bellinzone [bɛlɛ̃zon], German: Bellenz [ˈbɛlɛnts], Romansh: Blizuna [bliˈtsuːnə] ( listen)) is the capital of the canton Ticino in Switzerland. The city is famous for its three castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro) that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.
Things to do in Bellinzona
1. Ristorante Castelgrande e Grotto San Michele
Overall Ratings
4 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By Veni_bibi_edi - Cirencester, United Kingdom
There are two restaurants in Castelgrande and we went to the Grotto San Michele. I had seen that there was a special fritto misto menu in the summer months so thought it was worth a try. I sent an email to reserve a table but as there was no reply we went and visited the day before. Sure enough there was no reservation so we made one then.
The next day we walked back up the hill and said we had reserved for the special menu. We were given a table but not one marked reserved. Shortly afterwards we were twice asked if we wanted food! Then we were asked if we would like an aperirif but I was told there was no list available, they would suggest one or I could state what I wanted. I tried wine, again no basic list so I took some of the house red. I did enjoy Reading the special bottles list but we weren't there for special wine.
We had been told that the fritto misto menu started at 19:00 and we had got there early expecting to enjoy a glass of wine before the meal. No hope, the starter arrived very quickly so we took our time. The food was fine and the menu included a small amount of wine (250 ml per person). We were told we could have red or white but a waiter just brought white and poured it without asking.
On getting the bill, I found that house white starts at CHF 7 per decilitre, far more than it was worth. We paid and went knowing we would not return.
It was a catalogue of failures and not cheap.
2. Locanda Orico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By Olga P - Lugano, Ticino, Switzerland
We had a wedding dinner there (which was delicious) and decided to come back there after 5 eyars for the anniversary dinner. Everything was great. The food is excellent, the service is seamless, the chef is friendly, you can't ask for more. One of the best places in Ticino for special occasions. I don't want to talk about prices. This place is not cheap but quality always costs and the dinner experience in this place is worth every franc.
3. Lo Scugnizzo
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 177 reviews
Reviewed By Rahel S - Muttenz, Switzerland
We visited the restaurant for lunch. I ordered a salad and my boyfriend went for a Pizza. Both were great! The Pizza was huge and richly decorated with fresh ingrediences made in a original Pizza Oven! It was delicious! The restaurant is very clean, inside you get this special Ticino Feeling and the space outside is huge. On weekends they also grill outside. Prices are really fair and the service is perfect, since the new owners are there (spring 2014).
4. Trattoria Cantinin del Gatt
Overall Ratings
4 based on 272 reviews
Reviewed By Vish L - Singapore, Singapore
This restaurant was recommended to us by a ticinese local. He also recommended us pizzeria Giardino( truly vindicated as per my review).
We had a long tiring day visiting Lugano and subsequently walked to the m ontebello castle and on the way back, stopped by the tratorria at about 7 pm...w e were the first guests and were reasonably well received.. The kids were very exhausted and famished as well.
A very nice glass of local wine, dua, if i recollect correctly ( merlot + syrah) and a fantastic portion of articoke salad, asparagus salad, a simple risotto parmigiano.. My son dozed off at the table...the place was packed in less than 45 minutes... All very friendly and truly polite as always...
They offered to take back my son's risotto and serve it to me, as i was ready post the salad...a gesture, that was a gratifying culinary touch,
This did seem to me like a great place for a romantic evening as well...
The meal was splendid.. The breads were just perfect...well...
For a restaurant of this genre, the pricing was well deserved.
Tab: 5 glasses of good wine, 2 nice salad portions, a nice tagliatelle, a risotto : chf 108
5. Grottino Ticinese
Overall Ratings
4 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Coellum - Manila, Philippines
The restaurant is in a residential area near a park. We sat outdoors beneath big trees. For the 5 of us, we had the beef a la Robespierre (their specialty), pasta with butter and sage, pasta with pomodoro and cream, and prosciutto with cantaloupe slices. It was a satisfactory meal in a pleasant setting. It was also reasonably priced. Our bill was 90 Francs.
The restaurant is approximately an 11 minute walk from the train station. If you want a change from eating places in the old town, try this place.
6. Giardino Ristorante Pizzeria
Overall Ratings
4 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By Vish L - Singapore, Singapore
Warm welcome from staff.
Right in the centre of old town... Near. Castel grande.
Nice choice of pizzas, segregated by classical, modern and special( including special dietary requirements).... Nice wood fired oven..
Good wines by the glass at a reasonable price.. We had a few valpolicellas 2007... Well priced by swiss standards.
Big portions.. The pizzas are grande by starbucks standard!!!! Hahahaha and so are their other dishes... So exercise restraint while placing the order.
And a nice expresso to round off the meal..
I would call it a family friendly restaurant...very popular amongst locals... Who recommended us this cafe....
A hearty meal for 2 adults and 2 kids aged 6 and 3 with a 5 glasses of good wine cost us about chf 72.... Very enjoyable evening.. Opens at 7 pm..
ciao
7. Locanda Ticinese
Overall Ratings
4 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By Rudi T - Bienne
Arriving in Bellinzona in the evening and not much time on my hands, I did not have the opportunity to check out a lot of restaurants. The Locanda Ticinese was not a bad choice, I had an enormous pizza, a good salad, fine (swiss) dark beer, my special wishes concerning the pizza were followed - all at a reasonable price, not cheap, not expensive.
Next time I would try to look further away from the center of town, though, because the next day I ate very differently, more typical ticinese stuff, for less, but this was up high in a mountain valley (Valle Morobbia).
8. Osteria Mistral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Reviewed By Susana F - Ulm, Germany
We had never been in Bellinzona and were pleasantly surprised. It is a beautiful village, with charming cobbled streets and cozy piazzas to enjoy a drink al fresco. Our dinner at the Osteria Mistral was the final touch to a wonderful evening. Service was attentive and we enjoyed the food, which was perhaps more conventional than expected (modulo the "cheese olives" we got as amuse bouche) but perfectly fine.
9. Osteria Sasso Corbaro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Hedin - Center
I recommend this restaurant for those who want to enjoy fine food, well served in an aparted location. Ideal for friends-meeting, business or romance. The location is quite spectacular: a well preserved castle on the top of a hill, above Bellinzona and its two other Castles. Especially at night the view is something to enjoy.
I tried starter (scallops), first course (small cannelloni), second course (goat) and dessert (crème brulèe. In all cases the chef did something special, of his own and the result was excellent. I would say that you don't get regular food here, you get elaborated, fine food.
The interiors aren't particularly special. In the summer there's a fine courtyard with outdoor Seating, surrounded by the stone walls of the castle.
I'll definitely come back.
10. Restaurant Croce Federale
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By Igor S
Not only the food came fast but it was really good and at a fair price. The waiters are very polite and with a very good english. Sitting at the front watching people passing by is really relaxing.
