Originally Posted by Dovster
In the center of Lugano itself, there is no place I would particularly recommend other than a pizzarria.
Outside of the city there is a restaurant called "The Romantic" which is quite good.
However, about 4 kilometers from the heart of the city, in the village of Cannobio, there is a small but excellent (and surprisingly inexpensive) restaurant which has excellent grilled meats of all types.
It is within walking distance of my UIG's Swiss home, so if this sounds good to everyone, I can ask her for the name and telephone number.
As I have spent only a few days in Lugano for a conference in summer 2004, I am anything but an expert. I remember having a pleasant dinner with some friends at the Romantik Hotel Ticino. No idea if it is good by local standards.