Giulia Romano
Owner & front of house
Third generation, she welcomes every guest as if into her own home.
The grotto
More than a bar: a piece of the valley
For three generations we have kept the grotto above Lugano open, with the same gestures as always. This is our story, from the cellar to the pergola.
1954 opened in
15 min from Lugano centre
80 covers under the pergola
4.9 across 900+ reviews
Our story
One pergola, one valley, three generations
The grotto opened in 1954, when grandfather turned the cellar carved into the rock into a small tavern. A boccalino of Merlot, local cured meats and four granite tables in the shade: that was all it took.
Today the third generation keeps the doors open all day: coffee in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon, kitchen in the evening. The stone cellar is unchanged, and so is the way people sit at the table: without rushing.
- The YOURBRAND family
At the grotto
Our values
A proper coffee bar
A blend roasted for us, cappuccino with the right foam and a warm brioche from the village bakery.
Wine from the valley
A boccalino of Ticino Merlot by the glass and a small cellar chosen with nearby producers.
Local grotto cooking
Cured meats, formaggini, risotto and the classic bread cake: simple dishes, made the old way.
Under the chestnut trees
Granite tables in the shade, cool in summer and a view over the valley. The grotto is the place, too.
Gallery
A look around the grotto
What they say
900 reasons to head up the valley
4.9 4.9 out of 5 · over 900 reviews
Laura B.
The nicest spot for an aperitivo above Lugano. A boccalino of Merlot, a local board and the peace of the valley. We always come back.
Marco V.
Cappuccino in the morning on the terrace, looking over the chestnut trees. The warm brioche is a treat. Warm, genuine service.
Sophie D.
The Merlot risotto is memorable and the bread cake tastes of home. A real Ticino grotto atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Andrea R.
A live-music evening under the pergola: genuine food and lovely staff. An experience absolutely worth repeating.
Giulia M.
Real gluten-free options and alpine formaggini to die for. Finally a grotto where I can eat with ease. Thank you!
Thomas K.
A cellar carved into the rock, local Merlot and old-time polenta with braised beef. A piece of authentic Ticino.
Elena F.
Booked online in thirty seconds, table ready under the chestnut trees. Sunset, a boccalino and silence: perfect.
Paolo C.
I’ve been coming here for years and nothing has ever changed, thankfully. A sure thing above Lugano. Well done.
Come and find us
We’re waiting for you at Strada dei Grotti 4, in Val Colla, a quarter of an hour from Lugano. Book or just drop by.