Ristorante Salotto Brè — Restaurant in Lugano

Absolutely enchanted! We stumbled upon Ristorante Salotto Brè on our visit to Monte Brè, and what a serendipitous discovery it was! From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed like old friends by the wonderful family who runs this gem: Vera, Danilo, Brando, and Celine. Each of them radiates warmth, kindness, and genuine hospitality, making every guest feel truly special.

The atmosphere is intimate and cozy, filled with laughter and the tantalizing aromas of home-cooked Italian cuisine. The family's passion for food and togetherness shines through in every detail. And let’s not forget Chipsy, their absolutely adorable cat, who adds an extra touch of charm and comfort to the experience! Seeing Chipsy lounging contentedly only made us feel more at home.

The menu is a loving ode to traditional Italian flavors, meticulously prepared and beautifully presented. Every dish seemed delicious, but the star of the show was their tiramisu—honestly the best we've ever tasted! It was light, creamy, and perfectly balanced, a sweet testament to the love and care put into every recipe.

Dining here is more than just a meal; it’s an experience of family, warmth, and genuine connection. We left with full hearts and happy already planning our return whenever we come here next .

Thank you, Vera, Danilo, Brando, Celine, and sweet Chipsy, for a great evening.

If you find yourself anywhere near Monte Brè, do yourself a favor and visit Ristorante Salotto Brè—you’ll leave with a smile and...

Here’s the short of it: Two thumbs WAY up! Highly recommended for anyone visiting Lugano or Mont Brè.

We hiked down from Mont Brè and stumbled upon this wonderful little family restaurant. We decided to go with the tasting menu, having our dishes chosen by the two chefs. They inquired us for food intolerances then proceeded to wow us with an eclectic mix of dishes.

The appetizer was beetroot tartare, with grated marinated egg yolk and black pepper crumbles. The following dish was an incredible homage to margherita pizza – their own unique twist on it with the margherita risotto. Cooked in tomato sauce with burrata cheese and house-made pesto sauce, with black olives and rosemary crumbles. Truly out of this world. I hope they consider making it a permanent dish! Our main dish was steak with chimichurri sauce, plus a side of a petite rösti—a signature Swiss style shallow-fried potatoes—and caponata, a Sicilian dish of aubergine, peppers, and olives, seasoned with olive oil and tomato sauce. It was perfectly cooked and the whole dish felt satisfying. Our dessert was house-made fresh strawberry sorbet with strawberries, yogurt, and granola.

We had Basil Smash for our drinks, and enjoyed the fact that all the basil in our drinks and dishes was grown in the restaurant’s own garden next to their gelato truck. All in all, this was an absolute highlight of our Lugano trip, and we’re still talking about the food days later with...

A must visit! In short: ambience is both homey and chique, the service is friendly and fast, the food and drinks are unforgettable and the area and view beautiful.

Brando and Celine told me ‘Salotto’ meant ‘living room’, a feeling that the restaurant captures perfectly. Not only because it’s a family business but also because of the warm genuine welcome, because of the displayed drawings made by guests, because of the overall relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and because of the mix of guests (both locals and tourists). They have a cozy terrace, big garden and also a more chique dining area inside.

Before a friend and I went on a hike that started in the village, we sat down here to order a few things for brunch (see picture). Danilo and Vera truly make food that makes you want to try more. After the hike we came back for ice cream, which was honestly the best I have tasted. Flavours rich and pure, and such a nice texture. When I complemented them Brando told me Vera focused her thesis on ice cream! So definitely make sure to try it if you have the chance.

Some other must tries in my opinion are the cinnamon bun and chocolate cake. I’m very glad we came back to try these on another day. And lastly the cocktails. They offer a variety of classics and originals. We had one with basil and one with rosemary (freshly picked!). New, delicious and fresh combinations🥂.

Already looking forward to go back next time I am...