Locanda Barbarossa

The story

Locanda Barbarossa, Ascona – Michelin-Starred Seasonal Mediterranean Dining in Ticino

Locanda Barbarossa is one of the dining destinations within Castello del Sole Beach Resort & SPA, a 140-hectare estate on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Ascona. The restaurant is part of The Living Circle, a group of hotels and restaurants committed to a philosophy of “luxury fed by nature” – meaning that much of the produce on your plate comes from the estate’s own fields, vineyards, and gardens.

Michelin-Starred Cuisine Rooted in the Estate

The kitchen is led by Michelin-starred chef Mattias Roock, whose cooking reflects a deep connection to the surrounding land. The cuisine is seasonal and Mediterranean in spirit, but interpreted in a distinctly personal way. Ingredients such as rice, vegetables, fruit, and wine are sourced fresh from Terreni alla Maggia and the resort’s own farms, ensuring each dish captures the flavours of Ticino.

The recognition of a Michelin star speaks to the precision and quality of the cooking here – food that is both refined and honest, driven by what the estate can provide rather than by imported trends.

Dining Experiences on the Estate

Beyond the restaurant itself, the resort offers a range of experiences that bring you closer to the source of your meal. The “Just a table for two” experience places a private, five-course dinner in the middle of the Maggia orchard, with a menu designed by chef Roocks and paired with wines from the estate’s own winery. There is also a gourmet picnic basket filled with local cheeses, Ticino salami, garden vegetables, and a bottle of Cantina alla Maggia wine – perfect for a quiet afternoon in the orchard or along the lake.

A Setting of Natural Elegance

The resort sits directly on Lake Maggiore, surrounded by vineyards, rice fields, and parkland. The atmosphere at Locanda Barbarossa is unhurried and welcoming, a place where the line between the dining room and the landscape blurs. It is also possible to include a weekend lunch with a three-course menu at Locanda Barbarossa as part of a seasonal stay package, making it a natural stop for anyone exploring the culinary side of this corner of Switzerland.