META

• Small Plates for Sharing and Exploration
  META offers a menu featuring an array of small plates, allowing guests to savor multiple dishes in one sitting. This approach encourages sharing and exploring new tastes, which is somewhat unconventional compared to traditional single-entrée dining experiences at Michelin-starred restaurants.

• Location and Design in Palazzo Mantegazza
  META is located in the prestigious Palazzo Mantegazza, designed by architect Massimo Marzorati. The space combines contemporary design with unique craftsmanship, creating an atmosphere that balances intimacy and sociality. The open kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of Lake Lugano add to the unique dining experience, blending aesthetics with culinary art.

• Strong Emphasis on Local Sourcing by the Chef
  Chef Luca Bellanca personally selects raw materials, sourcing fresh produce from local markets and small producers around Lugano. This hands-on approach to ingredient selection highlights a commitment to freshness and local flavors, which is a distinctive feature of META’s culinary philosophy.

The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant META in Lugano, based on available information, emphasize fresh, high-quality Mediterranean ingredients combined with innovative and exotic touches. While specific signature ingredients are not explicitly listed, the following key ingredients are highlighted through the restaurant’s culinary style and approach:

• Seafood: META is known for Mediterranean cuisine with a strong seafood presence, reflecting the region’s coastal influences. Seafood is likely a cornerstone ingredient in many signature dishes, showcasing freshness and refined preparation techniques.

• Exquisite local and Mediterranean produce: The restaurant focuses on using premium raw materials, blending traditional Mediterranean flavors with unusual and exotic notes. This suggests the use of high-quality vegetables, herbs, and fruits typical of the Mediterranean diet, elevated by creative culinary methods.

• Innovative use of fresh ingredients: META emphasizes innovation in preparation, which likely includes unique presentations or combinations of classic ingredients such as olive oil, citrus, and seasonal vegetables, enhancing their natural flavors.

Due to the lack of detailed dish-specific ingredient lists in the sources, a precise list of 3-5 signature ingredients cannot be definitively provided. However, based on the restaurant’s profile and cuisine style, the key ingredients would be:

Ingredient	Significance / Usage
Fresh Seafood	Central to Mediterranean dishes, showcasing freshness and refined technique
Mediterranean Vegetables & Herbs	Provide traditional flavors with an innovative twist
Olive Oil	Essential Mediterranean element, used for flavor and finishing
Citrus (e.g., lemon)	Adds brightness and balance to dishes
Exotic spices or ingredients	Used to introduce unexpected flavor notes, enhancing creativity

These ingredients collectively define META’s culinary identity, combining tradition with innovation to create memorable dining experiences.

If more specific signature dishes or ingredient details are required, direct information from the restaurant’s menu or chef interviews would be necessary.

Tasting Menus

• Meta (5 courses): CHF 220
• Meta (7 courses): CHF 280

Signature Dishes

• Blue Lobster: €95