Ristorante Grotto del Pep — Restaurant in Circolo di Lugano ovest

The restaurant is located in Carabbia, a hillside village just outside Lugano. It’s not the easiest place to reach without a car, but you can take bus 434 from Paradiso (Carabbia Al Canvetto stop). Another nice option is to visit Monte San Salvatore, then take the funicular down to Pazzallo and enjoy a 20-minute walk to the grotto.

Grotto del Pep is a classic Ticinese grotto, offering traditional local dishes and grilled meats in a cozy setting. We started with a platter of mixed cold cuts from Ticino—each slice was excellent and of very high quality.

For the main course, I chose polenta with brasato while my wife had polenta with porcini. Both came on the same plate, making it easy to share. The dishes may be simple, but they were perfectly cooked and full of flavor—the brasato was so tender it didn’t even require a knife. Portions were generous as well.

Although we were already full, we couldn’t resist dessert. I had the tiramisu, which was light, fluffy, and delicious.

The restaurant seemed very popular with locals, many of whom were ordering spareribs with potatoes, which looked fantastic.

We visited on a Thursday at lunchtime without a reservation. The place was already quite busy, so if you’re planning to come for dinner, on a weekend, or with a larger group, booking a table is definitely...

📍 Ristorante Grotto del Pep @Lugano 🇨🇭 🕰️ Dinner visit — arrived at opening hour

We visited Grotto del Pep for dinner, making sure to arrive right at opening hour to secure a table. Parking is limited, so arriving early is essential if you don’t want to circle around.

We ordered their famous BBQ spare ribs with roasted potatoes—tender, juicy, and full of smoky flavor. The ribs fell off the bone effortlessly, and the crispy potatoes were perfectly seasoned, complementing the meat beautifully.

To complete the meal, we enjoyed some cold beers, which paired wonderfully with the rich flavors of the BBQ. It was a satisfying and relaxing dinner in a cozy, rustic setting.

The outdoor seating area is peaceful and atmospheric, tucked under trees with a traditional grotto vibe. The staff were friendly and efficient, handling the increasing dinner crowd smoothly.

🧭 Tip: • Come early—limited parking and high demand. • Must-try: Spare ribs + beer combo • Perfect for a laid-back dinner in a local gem with hearty food and...

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