Giardino Lago

The story

Giardino Lago Restaurant Locarno | Mediterranean Dining on the Lakeshore

A Lakeside Kitchen

Giardino Lago brings a refined Mediterranean cuisine to the shores of Lake Maggiore in Locarno. Chef Simone Morgano directs the kitchen after his tenure at Villa Orselina, translating regional ingredients into precise plates. His work recently earned a score of 13 from Gault&Millau, a recognition that highlights the steady execution of every course. The dining room occupies a carefully restored historic building that keeps sightlines open to the water.

Plates Built for the Terrace

Starters reflect the same Italian kitchen philosophy, favoring clean cuts and bright accents rather than heavy reductions. A raw beef plate features a sharp mustard glaze beside crisp Valle-Maggia bread, while scallops cure gently with avocado cream, mango, and toasted coconut. Tuna tataki shifts directions entirely, arriving with ponzu sauce and Togarashi-spiced papaya. Heavier selections follow, led by a nutty Pata Negra roast accompanied by broccoli and a creamy risotto.

Modern Elegance by the Water

The dining space sits inside a recently renovated Palazzo that preserves its original proportions. Large windows frame the lakeside promenade and allow afternoon light to settle across wooden tables. Sweet endings arrive in compact formats, offering individual portions of traditional tiramisu or smooth panna cotta. The beverage program prioritizes accessible open bottles, with a wide selection of Crus ready for scanning and ordering directly at the table.