Location: Gandria
Top Restaurants in Gandria
Where to Eat in Gandria: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Gandria is both a quarter of the city of Lugano in the Swiss canton of Ticino, and a village, on the northern shore of Lake Lugano, which forms the core of that quarter. Until 2004, the quarter of Gandria was an independent municipality, joining with Lugano in that year.
Things to do in Gandria
1. Bottegone del Vino
Overall Ratings
4 based on 512 reviews
Reviewed By Khaja - SF
We were so looking forward to having some wine and dinner here. We had a wonderful day on the lake and were hungry and hot and dinner here was high on our list. Unfortunately, we left almost angry, frustrated and very disappointed.
Food: Dinner was amazing, the food excellent, the portions large and food comes out beautifully presented. We had the pasta with seafood, outstanding, the bruschetta, good and the fish carpaccio, very good. The wine selection was excellent and we let our waiter make our selections. The food in the reason they get 2 stars.
Ambiance: Outside, surrounded by grape vines, cool on a hot afternoon, with a traditional European charm. However, the tables are really, really close together, we had three folks next to us that were loud, we could barely hear ourselves. The waiter could not reach us without bending over the next table. We were squeezed between grape leaves, yes they were continually rubbing against my head and face, and the loud table. We were quickly loosing patience.
Service: Probably one of the worst services we have had. We arrived early and everything was good to start with. We ordered drinks and pasta for our daughter who was hungry. Everyone was happy. Then chaos ensued:
1) Three folks who seemed to be "preferred" locals arrived and we never saw our waiter all night. It seemed that every person in the restaurant visited them to chat, but not once did they tend to us. After all why care about the tourist!
2) Water or drinks were never refilled.
3) For its claim of vegetarian friendly, we found this completely lacking. They had one pasta with tomato sauce or the cheese plate on the menu.
4) My wife liked the bruschetta, and asked for the speck to be substituted for cheese. Easy right? They came back with plain bread topped with tomato, and the cheese plate. The waiter "rudely" informed us this is what they do. They expected us to pay for both although we did not ask for it.
We left disappointed and angry. We walked over to another place close by for drinks and dessert. I cannot in all fairness recommend this restaurant.
2. Ristorante Galleria Arte al Lago
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
Restaurant Gallery Arté is the only 1 Michelin Starred Restaurant in Lugano. A theme restaurant inside an art gallery, it offers a magnificent and unique view over the gulf of Lugano as well as a dainty cuisine. Signature dishes of our Executive Chef Frank Oerthle are entirely new and original. The menu stands out for Sweetwater and sea food specialties.
Reviewed By Vavevic - Boca Raton, Florida
Excellent option for a nice dinner, very sober decor and refined attention. The food is very well prepared and the platters are served with a touch of elegance. Must stop for gourmet food in Lugano
3. Ristorante Grand Cafe Al Porto
Overall Ratings
4 based on 399 reviews
Right in the heart of Lugano, the Grand Café Al Porto Restaurant delight its guests at any time of day. A great day begins at the Grand Café with an aromatic "espresso", a nice breakfast or a delight from the Confiserie Al Porto. At lunchtime be tempted by the "Flavours of the month", the daily changing "Chef's specials", and from 2.30 p.m. onward by a special afternoon menu. All day long a great selection of sweet or savoury creations from the "Confiserie Al Porto" counter. The Ristorante is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. It can be reserved in the evening for receptions and banquets for 10 to 80 persons. All day long a great selection of sweet or savoury creations from the "Confiserie Al Porto" counter. Lugano's salon... since 1803.
Reviewed By nicascc - Brindisi, Italia
Is a good place where you can have a good espresso or coffee with friandise and sweet cake. Good service in al old style location
4. Grotto Morchino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 314 reviews
A few steps away from Lugano a real, traditional, local grotto inside the green forest.Grotto Morchino at Pazzallo.The Grotto Morchino is a typical local restaurant, it has a cozy room inside with an open fire place and outside a cool, covered Terrace. In all these years it has becoming an absolutely must to share the easy barbecue ambience in summer time. Kitchen opening hours: 12.00 - 13.15 19.00 - 21.15 Winter closure from 22 December to 28 February
Reviewed By Erez I
We came for a romantic dinner.
We were sitted on the same table with 3 loud local guys.
There is no English menu.
The waiter translaed some of it.
You can have Donkey, horse, rabbit, pork and veal
Chease plater was nice.
Polenta was good.
5. Ristorante Antico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By lacordaire83 - Versailles, France
I was initially wary to try a restaurant located on the main (only) road of this very pittoresque, lovely Swiss town. However, I did not regret it.
Setting was fabulous (with a view on the lake and surrounding mountains).
Service was polite and friendly (not at all customary in Switzerland, but maybe so in the italian part!).
Food was good and of high quality. Local wine (Merlot Ticcino) was suprisingly good (above my expectations for the price).
We realized after the meal that despite serving tourists, a lot of locals are actually part of the clientele.
Prices are of course expensive (you are in Switzerland) but relatively fair when considering the quality served.
I would definitely recommend, this was a nice experience!
6. Ristorante Da Candida
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By Moshe D - Tel Aviv District, Israel
After an unsuccessful business trip I decided to spoil myself and have a lunch in this restaurant (my evenings were all work so I couldn't come for a proper dinner) before returning home. Everything about this place lace is perfect, amazing, too good to be...MoreWe are very happy, that you enjoied your lunch in our restaurant. many thanks for your visite. best regards Bernard Fournier
7. Locanda Gandriese Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
The restaurant & guest house is located in the historic center of Gandria, overlooking the Ceresio lake. From the interior Terrace you can enjoy a spectacular view of the landscape in which it's located the village, one of the ten most beautiful of Switzerland (L'Hebdo, 2006). It offers Ticinese, Sardinian and Mediterranean food specialties.
Reviewed By DonPaulo - Richmond, Virginia
The restaurant where we planned to eat was full so we searched for another. Locanda Gandriese was the best looking of those we saw, plus the odors wafting from the kitchen made up our minds. The menu was short but packed with tempting dishes. My wife took the Menu for 39 CHF. I had the Capretto for 30 CHF. We also had two 0.1 liter glasses wines, 3 liters of water and an Espresso for just under 100€. While the food was delicious and the service good, the prices were extreme, even for Switzerland. At more reasonable prices, our meals would easily have rated 4 Points. 24 CHF for 3 liters of water is robbery.
8. La Locanda del Notaio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 169 reviews
Reviewed By theswissbrit - Lugano, Switzerland
Just between lake lugano and lake como, one michelin starred eatery in a hotel in a small village. Pleasant dining room with granite woodburning fireplace in the centre. Tasting menu is good value and great way to showcase the food which is full of flavour and beautifully presented. Service is polite and careful. I found it all slightly too salty but my wife insists I leave a 5 star review!
9. Osteria La Lanterna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Buongiorno,Siamo Pamela e Pasquale,due giovani ragazzi che da circa due mesi hanno ritirato questa piccola Osteria in provincia di Como con l'intento di mettere in pratica la nostra esperienza nel campo della ristorazione.Vi invitiamo a provare la nostra cucina.
Reviewed By cosybabes - giussano
We enjoyed our lunch here very much. The restaurant is very pretty and has a lovely view of the lake. A lot of care is taken with regards to presentation and general service. We were offered prosecco and an amuse bouche upon arrival. I especially liked my starter 'pomodoro'...it was amazing. I was slightly disappointed however by the first course with the baccala in conchiglie. The dish was missing something and after two conchiglie the taste was too repetitive, the tomato sauce under it helped but I still found the dish slightly bland. My husband adored everything he ate however. I'd definitely come back again and try some other dishes. My overall mark is a 4.5 in any case and not just a 4.
10. Grotto San Rocco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By Margarita C - Lugano, Switzerland
Being at this grotto has been quite a disappointment for us. The owner behaved in a very unprofessional fashion towards my German speaking in-laws who had difficulties catching up with the menu in Italian. He showed no patience at all with them and instead of helping them figure out what to choose, he simply said that "he has no patience for this, that the restaurant is full, and special orders are not taken". Then he left. We were clearly not asking for special orders, we just had two 70+ people on the table who needed time to figure things out.
Unlike most restaurants in Switzerland, this one didn't offer the menu in German, French or English, which can turn problematic for elder and non-Italian speaking customers. The location is nice and food is good, but this is worth NOTHING when the owner behaves in such an arrogant manner towards customers.
We usually enjoy the Grotti in Ticino, but Grotto San Rocco is a place we don't want to go back ever again!
