Locanda Orico

A focus on sustainability is much more than a simple slogan at this restaurant housed in a historic palazzo in the old town. Since 1998 here, the owner-chef works with excellent local suppliers in order to provide the best possible experience for his guests, talking them through each dish and the provenance of its top-quality ingredients. There’s nothing mysterious about the process, which results in healthy Mediterranean cuisine with a combination of French and regional influences, and where the menu changes at the beginning of each season and the tasting menu every month. Dishes here are carefully presented, with meticulous attention to detail and a perfect combination of colours. An interesting selection of renowned wines adds to its appeal, including an excellent choice of local and international labels. A simpler business menu is available at lunchtime, when dishes are announced at your table. A stronghold of fine Ticino cuisine! The restaurant has recently installed a recharging point for electric cars.

• Historic palazzo setting in Bellinzona’s old town, with Mediterranean cooking that leans on French and Ticino influences.
• Menu rhythm is built into the format, a full seasonal reset, plus a monthly refresh of the tasting menu.
• Chef-owner Lorenzo Albrici has run the kitchen since 1998 and trained with Frédy Girardet.
• Wine cellar emphasises local and international labels, offers half bottles and by-the-glass pairings, and will pack up an unfinished bottle to finish at home.
• Electric-car charging point on site.

Ingredient and dish anchors that show up in the restaurant’s own menu and in the way it cooks:

• Magadino Plain tomatoes (yellow and red), paired with pan-seared octopus and basil granita.
• Petit Bateau sea bass, roasted and served with its brodetto and a saffron-rouille.
• Felchlin Rio Huimbi 62% chocolate, used in a dome dessert with blood-orange compote.

The kitchen is built around top-quality seasonal produce from local suppliers, with Mediterranean flavours and French, regional touches.

Seasonal Mediterranean cooking with French and regional influences, served in a historic palazzo in Bellinzona’s old town. The menu is replaced at the start of each season and the tasting menu is refreshed monthly.

Current tasting menu pricing: CHF 160 (full), CHF 145 (without a starter). Weekday business lunch at midday: CHF 55.