La Tinèra, Lugano

As one of the biggest cities in the canton, it is perhaps unsurprising that Lugano is home to many establishments that serve tasty regional fare, including the excellent and justifiably highly regarded La Tinèra. The restaurant is located in a basement on a narrow side street within the city's old town. Despite being quite small inside, it nevertheless attracts a large number of both residents and tourists. The combination of size and popularity not only means that making a reservation is highly advisable, but also that sharing a table with another party is a possibility. Whether or not the method of making the most of the limited space available enhances the generally very intimate atmosphere probably depends on the people thrown together. However, that the friendly service and the appealing rustic décor add to the pleasant ambience is beyond any doubt whatsoever. In fact, the overall effect is extremely reminiscent of the most cosy of Italian trattorie.