grotto castagneto in Lugano

We went to eat at this charming little restaurant on a rainy evening. As a starter, we had a platter of local cheeses and cold meats which were delicious (not counting the homemade pepper jam). We ordered a gorgonzola risotto, a shank and beef cheeks. Everything was super good and cooked to perfection! The tiramisù was exquisite, although personally I prefer it with more coffee. We received excellent service from the hosts who own this place. To top it off, we were treated to a little attention from the owner, a limoncello. To recommend!!

Very cosy location with a very friendly host! Thank you for the great homemade food! We will definitely return.

Great place to visit with empty stomach! Lovely service, nice and helpful.

Amazing food, service and location! It's a hidden gem that everyone visiting Monte Bré should visit too :) Thank you for your hospitality!

Our first encounter at a classic grotto was an excellent one. The family running the restaurant was warm and friendly, and explained the care behind the cooking of each dish. Needless to say, the food was excellent - especially the pork cheeks and the braised beef. Would come back again if we are back in the area!

Lunch with friends who hadn't seen each other for a while, to celebrate my birthday. Very friendly and family environment. Cristina absolutely a super cook. All dishes were exceptional! From Ticino lasagne, to braised meat, to polenta concia etc.. the tiramisu and chestnut cake for dessert are also excellent. Absolutely recommended! thanks again to the owners for the magnificent lunch! ❤️

Saturday night dinner at the Grotto was a truly enjoyable evening. The food is of high quality and the portions are generous. All dishes are well cooked and the presentation is simple and refined. The passion and dedication that Cristina and Roberto place in their business is evident, and makes this place a true jewel of typical and traditional cuisine. I recommend booking because the environment is cozy and the atmosphere is very intimate and familiar.

Everything we had was fantastic. The jam with the cheese plate was very good and I was surprised to find out what it was made from. We enjoyed dinner so much we came back next day for lunch to try the other specials. This is a family run spot we great atmosphere and great staff. By far the best meal we had the whole trip in Switzerland.

I have had lunch several times in this grotto and have always eaten very well. The menu is varied, very good polenta, first courses the same and the second courses are also of good quality. Very nice atmosphere, with tables outside and if you want there is also room inside in case it rains or gets cold. The family management is certainly a winner, he is very kind in the dining room and his wife is certainly an excellent cook. Well done!

Very friendly service. The risotto was super delicious!!!

Cristina and Roberto run this grotto in an exemplary manner. The food is absolutely outstanding. The service is friendly, extremely pleasant and accommodating. Animals and children are also very welcome. We can only recommend this place.

I can’t recommend enough the whole experience at Grotto Castagneto. The drive up to the grotto has incredible views at every turn; the overlooks are especially great at sunset. The couple who runs the restaurant is lovely - so welcoming, patient and skillful. Everything we ate was was absolutely delicious, particularly the slow cooked pork over polenta. The authentic and homey ambiance complete the experience - it’s perfect.

1,000% recommend!! I visited this charming, wonderful grotto with my family back in August, and it was one of the best restaurant experiences of our lives! The setting is just perfect - warm and storybooklike. From the moment we arrived, Roberto was so welcoming. It was great talking with him! His wife Christina's food is absolutely divine. Every dish wowed us! I especially loved the apple gorgonzola risotto and the cheesecake. At the end of the meal, Roberto gave us samples of their limoncello which was such a fun conclusion to our amazing night. I highly reccomend Grotto Castagneto to anyone in the Lugano area!

Spent 3 days in Lugano with my girlfriend, we went to this Grotto 3 times - delicious food, great service, relaxing atmosphere and real mama home made food. We’ll come back!

Just go and eat there. You won't regret it. It is insane good!

Sooo delicious! Beautiful service, the most excellent food. Thank you, the most delicious lasagna we have ever eaten!

One of the best grottos in the Lugano area. Traditional dishes with a bit of modern technique such as ribs cooked sous vide and then grilled. The environment is beautiful and the service is excellent although the family atmosphere is not lost. We'll be back!

Very nice service and food was good. Portions are big. We were alone, maybe we were a bit too late? It was a long walk from the top of Mt. Bre

I recommend with confidence....

Everything was great, good food, nice staff.

Good food Beautiful environment So much courtesy in the service Tips cooked at low temperature, to lose your mind

Had a lovely lunch here! The ribs and pork lasagne were delicious.

Great local cuisine in a charming and very warm setting, perfect for a moment of calm after climbing Monte Brè! Probably the best lasagna of my life!

This is such a special experience. We hiked from Monte Bre furnicular, about 15 minutes for lunch. The charcuterie board was filled with local meats and cheeses and homemade jam. The white and red wine from the local regions were delicious. The area is so green and filled with charm and great for couples, family’s, anyone really. It’s family-owned. The specials were extraordinary. Will bring my kids here one day!

10 out of 5! What a cozy place to stop after a long hike (or bus ride) to the top. The pasta is made with love and the Gratto and the family working it could not be more welcoming. Found myself dreaming of this place the next few lunch days and wishing I could go back.

A welcoming and intimate place, in the greenery at the edge of the forest, delicious food, fast service. Friendly and helpful owner. The prices are Swiss ones, we Italians know that eating at a restaurant in Switzerland is expensive... it is always surprising that water is more expensive than beer, but in Europe it is like that. I highly recommend.

The event venue is great! the owners are friendly! Home cooked food, very tasty dishes.

Lovely little, very cozy place with great staff! I highly recommend this warm little place with a family spirit!

Amazing people and delicious food!

Amazing local food with the typical polenta, great hike leading to the place and excellent service makes this a must stop on your way from Monte Bre to Ganaria.

Great little place, welcoming owner, almost everything homemade, Country atmosphere all in wood. The place to stop on the way back from the short walk to the summit.

I rarely get to write this, but it's a place I will come back to whenever I have the opportunity. Delicious food, polite and hospitable service and an atmosphere where you feel at home and welcome. What more could you want? So far, this is my number one culinary discovery in Switzerland. Thank you!

The best food we eaten in Switzerland! Very nice owners and good prices. Will come back!

Very good food and friendly service.

Amazing home-made Italian food. The lasagna and gnocchi in particular were spectacular. The couple (cook and waiter) were super kind and hospitable. Highly recommend stop in Mont Bre region!

It is a very nice quiet and shady place to stay. We haven't eaten so well in a long time. The polenta rustica with porcini mushrooms and the lasagna ticinese were very tasty, the chestnut cake and the panna cotta were a dream. Plus a fine Merlot. The evening was perfect. And we would like to visit this grotto again.

Superb address full of charm with good homemade dishes! A family business with passion and this is reflected in the taste of the dishes. Special mention for the raspberry ice cream which made us melt with happiness. We will definitely come back!!!

Perfect meal from start to finish, tasty home cooking just the way we like it. The staff is incredibly kind and you feel the pleasure of receiving! Thank you for this good time!

A perfect setting, the restaurant is calm and very atypical. It consists of a large courtyard with long tables. The food was excellent with homemade dishes and desserts. Great service, with continuous service on certain days. We really liked it. I recommend the local charcuterie/cheese plate as well as the boletus polenta!

5 stars all around. One of the best meals I had in Lugano right on Mount Bre and run by a dynamic wife and husband duo. It was so good I went twice!

Very nice atmosphere with super friendly service. Super delicious cuisine

After climbing Mont Bré, the ideal is to stop at the grotto castagnetto the homemade menus by the owner are fantastic and the welcome from the owner in French please and very warm I advise you to book

This summer I went to the Grotto twice and each time was excellent. The food was a dream. I highly recommend the ricotta gnocchi. The service is so warm and we felt welcome from the start. From now on, when we are in the area again, this is a must visit.

Restaurant run by a very friendly family with attentive service. Very nice, warm place to dine on Ticino specialties in a very pleasant setting with advice on local dishes. Special mention for the mushroom polenta and the incredible chestnut tart!

After ordering a platter of cold cuts for 2 people and making a comment on the quantity (three slices each), the owner, instead of responding and justifying the choice professionally, raised his tone. He told me that we are in Switzerland and everything costs more. His grotto is not McDonald's and I, a pilgrim from the Veneto region, was in the wrong place. With an unkind gesture he took the cutting board away from the table and told us to leave. If this is his attitude, it explains why the place was empty in the middle of August. Everything can be discussed but always with education and respect.

Seriously. Ended up here based on the reviews I read. Maybe naive of me........ Switzerland (near Lugano). But again, seriously..... Two plates of meat in sauce, a beer, small carafe of wine and a bottle of water...... €110,-!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's why I ate at a Michelin restaurant in Tuscany (4 courses + nice bottle of wine)!!! Sorry, I just had to get this out. You have been warned!

The Grotto Castagneto embodies all the aspects you are looking for, from family warmth to authentic Ticino specialties and excellent value for money. this place retains its charm and offers an oasis of joy. The warm and friendly atmosphere welcomes guests with open arms and creates a sense of belonging, as if dining with friends. The family touch is reflected in both the furnishings and the service, making every visit a special experience. The Ticino specialties served in the Grotto Castagneto are a real feast for the palate. From delicate risotto variations to hearty polenta dishes, the menu celebrates the region's rich culinary tradition. The use of fresh, high-quality ingredients gives each dish an authentic touch that captures the essence of Ticino cuisine. When it comes to value for money, the Grotto Castagneto is unbeatable. Generous portions and culinary experiences that won't break the bank. Grotto Castagneto is more than just a restaurant - it is a place of connection that combines the joys of food with the comfort of family togetherness. The hosts greet each guest with a smile and a warm attitude that make the meal a holistic experience. Here you can experience the warmth, taste and value of Ticino cuisine at its best.

Found thus amazing restaurant and Christine's Lasagne was out of this world. Best one we've ever tasted. Highly recommend 😃

This place is a real hidden gem. The food is homemade, warm and ready when you come, just ask what they have for the day. It was delicious and a real treat to eat in the Ticino wilderness. Highly recommend.

Amazing Italian spot in Switzerland. Worth the trip up the mountain, def recommend the ricotta ice cream with the pepper jelly!

This is a charming, family run Grotto in proximity of Monte Brè. Each time I stay in Lugano, I trek up by public transport to once again experience this wonderful location. The food is made onsite by the family - your taste buds will experience delicious, authentic Italian and Ticinese cuisine: Formaggino ticinese, ricotta gnocchi, osso bucco and polenta, and the salads are so fresh. Homemade ice-cream is also available in the summer. This is a location that is appreciated by locals and the avid traveller that enjoys warm hospitality and flavorsome local food. When you arrive at the main bus stop, in front of the church, you need to walk 5 mins downhill to find this hidden gem. There is a small car park right next to it too. The Grotto is protected by the chestnut trees, which provides welcome shade and also allows the sun to pierce through. The hosts greet each guest warmly and ensure that all generations who are enjoying the meal have a wonderful experience. The owner speaks Italian, French and English. The restaurant and facilities are impeccably clean. After your meal, take a walk through the beautiful town of Brè, and you can catch a beautiful glimpse of Lake Lugano. You can walk up to Monte Brè in 25-30 mins, where you can have a fabulous view of Lake Lugano. From here you can also take the steep Funicolare Monte Brè back down to Lugano. Definitely include this Grotto to your bucket list :)

Amazing food. Very quiet place. Friendly host. Fair prices but not cheap.

We love this place on Monte Bré. Perfect place to stop after a short hike from the Funicolare Station Monte Bré. The food is very tasty (authentic like “Nonna”), the service is very attentive and friendly, and the location is shady, cozy in the middle of nature. You can pay by card. We'll definitely be back.

Wonderful friendly, family-run restaurant. Plenty of delicious vegetarian choices. We really enjoyed this meal.

Delicious home-made local food! Great place to have a nice meal away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Friendly staff who run the restaurant with love!

Absolute insider tip! Surrounded and covered by trees on Monte Brè in Lugano. An absolutely cozy place in Ticino. Homemade, traditional, regional and seasonal dishes à la Ticinese. A must for every connoisseur. Very friendly staff and an even friendly host. Fair prices and top quality! Gladly again...

A place outside the glitter, in a natural and calm setting Rich and tasty cuisine Friendly and attentive staff Respect, people like you are rare. -;) Congratulations to you for this very good meal and your sympathy John

Authentic, homemade cuisine with warm, calm family service. Very beautiful setting so as not to spoil anything. We fell under the spell and recommend it with our eyes closed. Thank you so much !

Great service, high quality ingredients, excellent experience. The other folks in my party ordered the Risotto with ragu and mushroom tagliatelle. Everyone enjoyed their meals. The restaurant is very secluded and the location feels very private, both positives.

Friendly service, tasty food and good desserts.

Incredibly sweet family-run restaurant with good dishes (especially the gnocci and the tiramisu). Highly recommend for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike

The food was homemade and delicious, and there was a seat outside even without a reservation. The owner couple is also friendly and quick. But the portions were too small for us, so that in addition to a main course, despite having bread, you would also have to eat a starter and dessert in order to be full. Then the price per person without drinks is more than 40.00, which was too expensive for us. When we responded, we were told that the pasta portion was 160g and that the polenta was already too much for many people. Unfortunately we didn't take any photos of the food.

Very good restaurant, the best risoto that I ever had, very nice atmosphere. Family business. The magic tiramisu is incredible. Excellent customer service, you feel very welcome.

Warm welcome, very good homemade dishes, special mention to the red fruit cheesecake!

We stopped by at the restaurant after a quick hike down from Mount Bre. We were warmly welcomed and seated at the beautiful wooden slab table. Food was delicious, drinks complimented the food and service was tip top (a phrase the Swiss seem to use when everything is great). Do walk a bit further for this unique experience.

The food was very tasty, the salad was ok. The portions are a bit too small for the price. The service was very good, very friendly and welcoming. Very special atmosphere. All in all great!

We go here each year on our Lugano vacation - the food is great and made with lots of love! And tomorrow is the day: we go again 😀

It's best to walk up Monte Bré, then you'll be hungry enough for the wonderful plates. The family business is very charming and the boss makes an excellent host while his wife works magic in the kitchen. 1000 thanks

We were very surprised at what a cozy and at the same time a wonderfully beautiful restaurant!!! The host is just great!!! We'd love to come back!!! And the food is simply delicious!!!!!!

Beautiful grotto in the shade of the chestnut trees. Exceptional food, with local and quality products. We had deer salami and tomatoes with onion as an appetizer. As main course: Beef cheeks with polenta and shank with potatoes and its side dishes. Dessert two scoops of peach ice cream, real homemade ice cream! Fantastic! Excellent service. Super recommended Grotto, we will definitely be back!

Hidden gem. Haven’t had handmade Italiano pasta like this since Antonio’s (Podsides in Positano). Great food, charming vibe. Feels like you’ve been invited over to someone’s house for dinner. P.s. Windy road up there, but easy parking on premises.

Delicious homemade food at a very reasonable price - service was excellent as was the atmosphere. By far the best grotto in Lugano

Excellent food, service and ambiance! A wonderful grotto tucked away in the mountains

Excellent cuisine, very friendly and helpful staff. Nice and relaxing environment. Excellent value for money and easy to reach.

Very friendly staff, lasagne was amazing. Lovely atmosphere. You should visit when you are around monte brè!

Stopped by this gem after a beautiful walk down Monte Brè. Excellent charcuterie plate, rustic polenta with porcini mushrooms, and homemade lasagna in the shaded garden. Experienced wonderful service and friendly conversation with the owner Roberto. Will definitely return!

Best homemade pasta and ice cream ever. Lovely homely atmosphere and very friendly service.

Cozy, authentic grotto. Very friendly staff, great terrace and very tasty and lots of homemade food. Great starter platter, delicious main courses and harmonious desserts. Definitely recommend and come back.

Enchanting location and excellent menu, refined and healthy. CRISTINA creative cook and attentive to the quality of the ingredients. ROBERTO is kind and attentive to customer needs. I recommend the slow cooked ribs and don't miss Roberto's ice cream, excellent!!! The exceptional liquorice taste!! . Highly recommended place for a lunch/dinner in a relaxing environment, pampered by the quality and goodness of the dishes offered and by the attention of Cristina and Roberto.

Top food and very friendly staff. It is worth visiting this grotto.

My wife & I just spent an early evening having dinner at this cute restaurant & we were NOT disappointed. Roberto & Cristina could not have treated us any better & the food was fantastic. A true "home cooked" meal since it is basically run out of their home. This was the perfect change of pace when compared to all of the "typical" restaurants found in Lugano. Keep in mind that Mt. Bre itself is also a must see & do. There are steps that lead up from the bus stop in Mt. Bre paese to the top of Mt. Bre. At the top, you will find a treasure including two pub/restaurants that overlook Lake Lugano. My suggestion is that you head up to the top of Mt. Bre first then head back down & have Cristina & Roberto cook you an awesome dinner at Grotto Castagneto.

Best food I had on my one week trip to Lugano. It was well worth the funicolare trip over the mountain. The restaurant is nestled at the end of a road surrounded by natural beauty. The staff were extremely friendly and had great recommendations. If I could give it six stars, I would!

If I could give this place 6 stars, I would. The food - we got melt in your mouth ricotta gnocchi and ribs. Both entrees were phenomenal! The staff - I’m pretty sure we’re we’re greeted and severed by the owners. They were so gracious and really made the visit so much better then it even would have been. The town this restaurant is located in can be accessed hiking down from mount Bre, which is how we got there. It was a perfect stop on our day of adventure. We will remember our visit to this restaurant for years as we look back on this trip.

Delicious home cooked pasta in a great location.

Our best experience in Switzerland! We had a lovely leisurely lunch after a challenging hike up from Lugano city. The family who owns the restaurant is lovely. Many vegetarian options! Delicious homemade food.

Today the grotto saved my life 😁 I came here on the bus with a lot of hunger but little time and was fed within a short time. Grazie mille!

Flawless, a quiet little corner of paradise where you eat divinely... what more could you ask for?

Great atmosphere, passionate owners and natural ingredients. The spare ribs offer the perfect mix of crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. No unnecessary spices, just trust in the taste of high-quality food. It definitely wasn't my last visit. Best regards Casemiro :)

When you walk up Monte Bre’s rocky stairs and steep trails for 2 hours, there is nothing your sweaty self could possibly want to see more than this quaint, beautiful restaurant at the top of a mountain. The owner was so nice and explained how much of the menu is home-grown. We had a delicious meal, and regretted we’d not be able to come back for more!

This place was AMAZING!! Definitely come by here for some pasta and drinks after seeing the sights of Mt. Bre!

Great food and friendly staff. It's really good to eat outside, in the garden.

A true hidden gem in the small town of Brè above Lugano. The service is incredibly warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere is cozy and feels like home. Of course, the main reason to come is the absolutely delicious food. We ordered both specials. The short ribs were tender and juicy, bursting with flavor in each bite. The risotto was rich and creamy, and the fresh mint(picked from the garden) was the perfect accent to the dish. This was by far the best meal that we’ve had in our two weeks in Europe. We could not recommend this lovely restaurant more and will definitely be back. If you are every staying in Brè, or even Lugano, you’d be missing out if you didn’t visit Grotto Castagneto. It is well worth the drive up.

We went to this grotto with friends from Milan. The journey (we were by car) was definitely worth it. A typical grotto as you would imagine. Beautiful covered garden and simple but authentic grotto inside. We had antipasti platter, various (including vegetarian) dishes. Good Ticino wine (including white Merlot) is available in typical Boccalino's (on request). Dessert was also very tasty. The innkeepers are very, very friendly and helpful (the innkeeper also speaks German/E). All in all very price/performance conscious. We would love to come back (next time with the cog railway)

Unique restaurant, food & experience. Came here through a recommendation & was pleasantly surprised. Roberto, owner & server was helpful & polite. He speaks multiple languages which is a great help. His wife is the talented cheff. Food was amazing, made with superior ingredients & mixed with love. The location itself is worth the trip up the mountain. All in all, would highly recommend this restaurant.

IF you like authenticity and conviviality, this is the ideal place to have a good time. The welcome is warm in a great setting. The homemade dishes are hearty and succulent ☺️ Not to be missed... We will definitely come back to see you 🙏

People still cook here themselves. Great food in a family run restaurant. We were served very friendly and felt completely at home!

Great local food with exclusive pricing which might be a little too much for a dinner with kids.

Best food i tried in whole switzerland, really hand made pasta, well price and i really recomend the house chocolate with pana it was delicious.The owner give us a really good talk and was really friendly. Will come back again in the future fur sure 💯.

Very good and generous meals and portions. We are happy to recommend it, great value for money!

Very courteous and friendly service. The food was excellent!!:)